‘THE SAGE’-Klein’s Online Newsletter—SEPTEMBER 2023
Klein’s Floral & Greenhouses
3758 E. Washington Ave.
Madison, WI 53704
608/244-5661 or info@kleinsfloral.com
THIS MONTH’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Truckloads of Houseplants Have Arrived Fresh from Florida
Now Available: Fall Mums & All of Your Fall Gardening Favorites
50% Off Remaining Perennials, Shrubs, Herbs and Potted Fruits
Spring Blooming Bulbs Have Arrived! Shop Early for Best Selection!
Our ‘Mad Gardener‘ and ‘Houseplant Help‘ Are Ready for Your Questions
The Nationwide Scandal Now Known As #PepperGate 2023
About OASIS® Forage Products™
Easy, At-home Fixes for Everyday Ailments
Klein’s Favorite Seed, Bulb & Plant Sources
You Asked Having Beautiful Petunias All Season
Plant of the Month: Vegetables for the Fall Garden
Klein’s Favorite Watermelon Recipes
Product Spotlight: Pottery from Momma Pots®
Notes from Rick’s Garden Journal—From August 2023
—About Southern Blight
—Fun-To-Watch Hummingbird Moths
—Starting a Hummingbird Garden
September in the Garden: A Planner
Gardening Events Around Town
Join Us on Twitter
Follow Us on Facebook
CURRENTLY ON SALE @ KLEIN’S
50% Off All Perennials, Shrubs, Ornamental Trees and Potted Fruits While Supplies Last.
Late summer and fall are the perfect time to plant perennials and shrubs. Get a start now on your next season’s garden and landscape!!
We still have a beautiful and large selection in stock!! Quality and selection are still amazing! We have a nice selection of:
- Lilacs
- Dogwoods
- Rose of Sharon
- Burning Bush
- Butterfly Bushes
- Roses
- Weigela
- Forsythia
- Rhododendrons
- Decorative Conifers
- Serviceberry
- Aronia/Chokeberries
- Blueberry Bushes
- Raspberries
- Blackberries
…AND SO MUCH MORE!
50% Off All Herbs
We have all of your favorites for late season cooking and canning…an amazing selection of oregano, mint, thyme, lavender, rosemary and so much more awaits you and your senses! …And many will overwinter indoors on a windowsill for continued enjoyment.
Also Now on Sale and While Supplies Last:
- Buy One, Get One Free All Annuals/Veggies
- 50% Off Summer Containers
- 50% Off Tropicals (Citrus & Houseplants are not included.)
- 50% Off All 6″ Annuals
- 50%-75% Off Clearance Table Items
NOW AVAILABLE…FALL MUMS, FALL VEGETABLES, ORNAMENTAL KALES, CABBAGES, PEPPERS & SO MUCH MORE!
Now that it’s late summer and your summer annuals are beginning to wane, it’s time to fill those empty spots with colorful fall mums and annuals and in the coming weeks and as crops are ready, selection will be at its peak. Choose from not only mums, but also beautiful grasses, pansies and violas, ornamental kales, cabbages, peppers and so much more.
Klein’s is renowned for our selection of Jenny’s mixed fall containers, whether pre-made grab-and-go or custom designed to suit your taste or decor.
And in the weeks ahead we await the arrival of our large selection on pumpkins and gourds. Fall merchandise is arriving daily!!
HAVE YOU MOVED RECENTLY?
If so, we ask that as we go into the busy spring season, you update your new address in association with Klein’s Rewards Program so you continue to receive all possible benefits.
In addition to occasional coupons, we’ve been mailing out birthday month postcards with an added gift during the past year or so and find that many are being returned with an invalid address. We don’t want you to miss out!
If your address has recently changed, please send your new information to info@kleinsfloral.com and please include your name and your old address as reference.
FOR NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS OR GARDEN TOURS that you would like posted on our web site or in our monthly newsletters, please contact Rick at (608) 244-5661 or rick@kleinsfloral.com. Please include all details, i.e. dates, locations, prices, brief description, etc. Events must be garden related and must take place in the Madison area.
THE MAD GARDENER
Madison’s Firsthand Source for Expert Gardening Advice
Ask any of your gardening questions by e-mailing them to us at madgardener@kleinsfloral.com. Klein’s in-house Mad Gardener will e-mail you with an answer as promptly as we can. We’ve also posted a link on our home page and in our contacts for your convenience. Your question might then appear in the “You Asked” feature of our monthly newsletter. If your question is the one selected for our monthly newsletter, you’ll receive a small gift from us at Klein’s.
Sorry, we can only answer those questions pertaining to gardening in Southern Wisconsin and we reserve the right to leave correspondence unanswered at our discretion. Please allow 2-3 days for a response.
KLEIN’S ‘HOUSEPLANT HELP’
You can contact Klein’s in-house indoor plant experts by emailing to houseplanthelp@kleinsfloral.com for sound information and advice regarding indoor tropicals, succulents, blooming plants and so much more.
For many years, customers’ indoor plant questions have been directed to Klein’s Mad Gardener. Now you have the opportunity to contact our indoor plant experts directly. We’ve posted a link on our home page and in our contacts for your convenience. Your question might then appear in the “You Asked” feature of our monthly newsletter. If your question is the one selected for our monthly newsletter, you’ll receive a small gift from us at Klein’s.
We reserve the right to leave correspondence unanswered at our discretion. Please allow 2-3 days for a response.
SEPTEMBER STORE HOURS:
Monday thru Friday : 9:00-6:00
Saturday: 9:00-5:00
Sunday: 10:00-4:00
Open Labor Day, Monday, September 4: 10:00-4:00
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
About September 1—The Spring Bulbs Arrive!! Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocus, alliums and much more arrive for fall planting. We suggest that you hold off planting spring bulbs until the weather cools in October. But shop early for best selection!
September 4–Labor Day. Special Store Hours: 10:00-4:00
September 10–Grandparents’ Day
September 17—Rosh Hashana Begins
September 23–Fall Begins
September 24—Yom Kippur Begins
September 29–Full Moon
‘THE FLOWER SHOPPE’:
Klein’s Floral Department is happy to introduce a brand new line of products from OASIS® Forage Products™.
Have you ever been inspired by the beauty of nature or in awe of a garden? Combining art and science, OASIS® Forage Products™ teaches you how to create foraged designs made from plant material foraged by you.
Foraging is identifying plants, flowers, and branches in your garden, yard, fields, and wooded areas—cutting them and transforming them into awesome designs for your home or others.
From the OASIS® Forage Products™ website @ oasisforageproducts.com/ :
Foraging Is About Being Outside. The great outdoors is, well, simply, GREAT! Being outside has a calming impact on our nervous systems and can help to reduce stress and anxiety. We are surrounded by an abundance of fantastic forage plant material, so why not snip a few stems to bring in to enjoy?…and enjoying time by yourself or with others. Some of us enjoy foraging alone so that we can see and hear all of nature. Others prefer to make a date night or a fun family activity.
The first step of foraging for floral designs calls you to the great outdoors to find your inspiration and, most importantly, your stems! It’s time to check your garden beds, woods, and greenspaces for your materials. Foraged finds include:
Branches or plants that accentuate long graceful lines.
These are elements that add character and personality to a design. Examples might include curly willow, pine boughs, ornamental grasses and anything that might give you an extended line.
Large flowers, clusters of blooms or heavier volume flowers.
These add weight and create an area of interest in the center of the design. Examples might include Hydrangea, Sedum, Dahlias, Queen Anne’s Lace and Sunflowers.
Plants with unique characteristics for visual interest.
These can add spice and uniqueness to a design. Examples might include clumps or sheets of moss, vining material such as Vinca and Northern Sea Oats which add whimsical movement.
Natural Accessories
Nothing completes a design better than a few well executed accessories. It is easy to discover these gems. A few examples are moss, rocks, driftwood and bark.
Stop by our display near the Klein’s Floral Department and be one of the first ones in Madison to enjoy fall’s bounty using these fantastic new products from OASIS® Forage Products™.
YOU ASKED. . .
All over Madison I still see beautiful petunias blooming in August. What’s the secret? My plants are in full sunlight, but still get leggy and ugly. Do you have specific advice? DeAnne
Hi DeAnne,
The key is fertilizing regularly…usually every 7-10 days with a balanced, water soluble fertilizer starting in early June. Using acid once in a while helps prevent the legginess and yellowing. We even sell a Petunia Feed by Jack’s that works wonders and has all the bases covered.
That said, the best results comes down to regular maintenance beyond deadheading. Some people prune back 1/3 of the stems weekly to keep plants looking full and lush at all times.
I, however, prefer the haircut method. When my pots and baskets begin looking tired and leggy about July 10, I prune them back hard to the edge of the pot, rather than a little here and a little there. Three weeks later, my plants look as fresh and far lusher than they did even in early June with far more blooms and on super-vigorous plants. And now with the cooling weather and the passing of summer heat, they’ll last way into fall and sometimes into November.
Thanks for your question,
DID YOU KNOW. . .
. . . that mislabeled pepper varieties were grown by home gardeners, farmers and garden centers due to a nationwide scandal now known as #PepperGate 2023?
Imagine nurturing your pepper plants for months, only to realize that the peppers that grew were nothing like what you expected. Unfortunately, that is the sad reality for thousands of gardeners in 2023.
#PepperGate 2023, also known as jalapeñogate and the Great Pepper Mixup of 2023, has become a significant topic of discussion within the gardening community. With the proliferation of rumors on the internet, it has come to light that numerous pepper seeds have been mislabeled, leading to an unfortunate situation for many gardeners.
Enthusiasts who eagerly purchased specific pepper varieties have been left disheartened upon discovering that the peppers they have nurtured for months are not the ones they initially anticipated. This unexpected turn of events has caused immense disappointment among gardeners who had invested considerable time and effort into cultivating their pepper plants, only to realize that their expected variety will not come to fruition.
The repercussions of #PepperGate are reverberating throughout the gardening community, leaving individuals longing for the accurate and promised pepper harvest they had eagerly anticipated.
It is important to clarify that the occasional mixups, mislabeling, and cross-pollination of seeds, which can result in individual cases of pepper variety confusion over time, are not the causes of the widespread issue known as #PepperGate.
These factors have been observed as natural occurrences within the gardening community. Still, the occasional mixup does not fully explain the magnitude and impact of the current problem.
The primary cause of #PepperGate likely lies in supplier issues within the seed industry. The complexity of the problem becomes apparent when considering the industry’s structure. Surprisingly, approximately 60% of the seed market is controlled by just four companies, indicating a lack of diversity and concentration of power. These companies operate as wholesale suppliers to smaller seed companies, which then package and distribute the seeds under their own brand names.
We assume the error happened at the top of the food chain (the large wholesale supplier), causing a trickle-down effect where dozens of seed companies sold mislabeled seeds.
What types of peppers are affected?
PepperGate has affected many pepper varieties, causing confusion and unexpected outcomes among gardeners. Among the peppers impacted, jalapeños have been particularly affected, with reports indicating that a mix of different peppers grew instead of the expected jalapeño variety. Gardeners have discovered an assortment of peppers, including bell peppers, banana peppers, and long thin peppers (possibly cayenne), among others.
In addition to jalapeños, poblanos, known for their mild heat and distinct flavor, have been subject to the mixup, leaving gardeners with unexpected results, and certain bell pepper varieties have also been affected.
The companies responsible for distributing the wrong pepper seeds in the #PepperGate incident have not been definitively identified. However, based on online reports and negative customer reviews, several companies have emerged as potential contenders. It is important to note that these companies are mentioned based on speculation and user experiences. Still, the companies have yet to verify if they are aware of an issue with their seeds.
Source: Spicy Exchange @ spicyexchange.com/
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT—Each month we spotlight some product that we already carry or one that we’ve taken note of and plan to carry in the near future. Likewise, if you would like to see Klein’s to carry a product that we don’t currently, please let us know. Our goal is to be responsive to the marketplace and to our loyal clientele. If a product fits into our profile, we will make every effort to get it into our store. In addition, we may be able to special order an item for you, whether plant or hard good, given enough time.
Pottery from Momma Pots®
About Momma Pots @ www.mommapots.com/
Nothing compares with the wonder of nature. Blaine Tiongson knows this on the deepest level. Blooming flowers, trees dancing in the wind, succulents growing babies—the beauty is endless. It’s this sense of awe that she wants to share, and the reason she’s poured her passion into inspiring others to slow down and appreciate their own natural surroundings.
Since Momma Pots’ humble beginnings in Blaine’s garage through today’s placement in 500-plus stores worldwide, more than one million of her modern designs, made to enhance the plant life they hold, have brought happiness to people’s homes. Top-notch quality, accessible pricing, unique designs, extraordinary colors, a focus on eco-friendly products and packaging, and a magical exclusive partnership with a family-owned, woman-led Chinese manufacturer have created a brand that is both beloved and inspired.
NOTES FROM MY GARDEN JOURNAL–Tips and Observations from My Own Garden by Rick Halbach
ENTRY: AUGUST 8, 2023 (About Southern Blight)
One of my coworkers was just describing to me the effects Southern blight is having on some the plants in one of his perennial beds, especially his hostas. Being unfamiliar with Southern blight, I found the following useful info on the UW Extension website @ hort.extension.wisc.edu/
What is Southern blight?
Southern blight is a lethal fungal disease that is most common in the tropics and subtropics. This disease causes damage in the southern U.S. and can even cause problems in temperate locations like Wisconsin during periods of warm, moist weather. Southern blight has a wide host range, affecting over 500 plant species. Vegetable and fruit hosts include tomato, pepper, onion, beet, rhubarb, strawberry, lettuce, cucumber, melon, carrot, asparagus and parsley. Ornamental hosts include aster, black-eyed Susan, dahlia, daylily, gladiolus, hosta, impatiens, peony, petunia, rose, salvia, sedum and viola. Small woody trees and shrubs can be affected as well.
What does Southern blight look like?
Southern blight initially leads to a water-soaked appearance on lower leaves or water-soaked lesions (spots) on lower stems. Any plant part that is near or in contact with the soil may become infected. Infected plants yellow and wilt, often within days of infection, particularly when the weather is moist and warm (80 to 95°F). Fruit rots, crown rots and root rots are also typical symptoms of the disease. Thick mats of white fungal threads (called mycelia) may grow from infected tissue, radiating from the plant onto the soil surface. Sclerotia (small spherical structures that are about the size of mustard seeds) develop on infected tissue and on the soil surface. Sclerotia range in color from light tan to dark reddish-brown to black.
Where does Southern blight come from?
Southern blight is caused by the fungus Sclerotium rolfsii, which lives in soil, on plants (including weeds), and in plant debris. The fungus can be spread through movement of infested soil and plant debris, on infected plants, in contaminated irrigation water, and through use of contaminated tools. In Wisconsin, S. rolfsii most likely enters gardens on infected nursery stock or infested mulch. Freezing temperatures will kill S. rolfsii mycelia, but sclerotia can survive temperatures as low as approximately 14ºF.
How can I save a plant with Southern blight?
Identify the extent of an infestation based on visible dead/dying plants, fungal mycelia and sclerotia. Remove all plants (including roots), as well as three inches of soil, from at least 12 inches beyond the infested area. Start at the edge of the infested area and work toward the center. Bag all plants and soil and dispose of these materials in a landfill.
How can I prevent Southern blight in the future?
Inspect new plants for sclerotia and mycelia of S. rolfsii prior to transplanting. Bag and dispose of diseased plants as described above. Use high-quality mulches (e.g., shredded oak bark mulch, red cedar mulch) in your garden and avoid any mulches that you suspect might be contaminated with S. rolfsii. S. rolfsii thrives under moist conditions. Therefore, thin existing gardens or space plants farther apart in new gardens to improve airflow and promote more rapid drying of foliage and soil.Turn any remaining soil in the infested area eight to 12 inches to bury any sclerotia that you may have missed. This will reduce the length of time that the sclerotia will survive.
* * * * *
ENTRY: AUGUST 17, 2023 (Fun-To-Watch Hummingbird Moths)
Have you noticed something visiting your flowers, but you aren’t quite sure whether it’s a bee, or a small hummingbird, or a fat butterfly? It’s likely what you saw was a hummingbird clearwing, Hemaris thysbe. It is just one of a number of moths commonly referred to as hummingbird moths. This species in the Family Sphingidae is fairly common throughout the eastern half of the US and Canada. The moths lack scales on the wings except for a dark border around the edge, giving rise to the common name for the group, clearwing moths. The hummingbird clearwing has a “furry” greenish-yellow or tan body with a wide reddish-brown band across the abdomen, and a wingspan of 1½ to 2¼ inches.
Hummingbird moths visit flowers during the day (unlike most moths), hovering over the plants to feed on nectar with a long proboscis. They typically stay at each flower only briefly, before darting off to a new flower. The proboscis coils up like a party noisemaker when not in use.
Hummingbird clearwings will nectar at a variety of flowers, but favorites in southern Wisconsin gardens are petunia and especially Verbena bonariensis. Other reports indicate butterfly bush (Buddleia), butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), bee balm (Monarda), Joe-pye weed (Eupatorium) and many others are attractive to these moths.
These moths have one or two generations per year depending on location and temperatures.
Adults are usually seen in mid-summer in Wisconsin. The caterpillars feed on Viburnum and related plants. Pale green eggs are laid singly on the underside of leaves in early spring, from which hatch green larvae with a well-developed anal horn. (Another common name for the Family Sphingidae is “hornworms”.) Once they have completed their development, they pupate in dark brown, thin walled cocoons under leaf litter.
Another moth in our area that is frequently seen visiting flowers and hovering like a hummingbird is the white-lined sphinx moth, Hyles lineata. That species is larger than the hummingbird moth, its wings are completely covered with scales, and it tends to be more active at dusk than during the day. There are also many other moths in the Family Sphingidae that are commonly called “hummingbird,” “sphinx,” or “hawk” moths and are occasionally seen feeding at flowers.
One species very similar to Hemaris thysbe (and also commonly called hummingbird moth) is the graceful clearwing, H. gracilis. This moth is very similar in overall appearance, but it is slightly smaller and is not very common, occurring mainly in the Jack pine/oak barrens and open trails through dry forests in the northern counties of the state. The snowberry clearwing or bumblebee moth (H. diffinis) is a closely related species, but it looks more like a bumblebee with its yellow to greenish-yellow and black markings.
Article by Susan Mahr, University of Wisconsin. Source: wimastergardener.org
* * * * *
ENTRY: AUGUST 24, 2023 (Starting a Hummingbird Garden)
An article I’d like to share from last season:
Start a Hummingbird Garden
Learn how to draw the world’s tiniest birds to your garden with these colorful flowers.
Written by Amy McDowell for Midwest Living @ www.midwestliving.com/garden/flowers/hummingbird-garden/?page=0
Tiny Joys
Gardeners Kathi and Michael Rock of Madison, are enchanted with hummingbirds. “Hummingbirds truly embody the magic, joy and freedom that we as humans would love to have,” Kathi says.
Kathi knows hummingbirds’ amazing statistics: They can fly faster than any other birds and have the largest proportionate brain size. And, of course, they can hover and snatch insects in midair.
Kathi and Michael first fell in love with hummingbirds a decade ago after adding a hummingbird feeder to their backyard. Now they have two dozen feeders and more than a hundred kinds of annuals and perennials to cater to the tastes and habits of their flying friends.
“We try to have plants that bloom at every point during the season,” Kathi says. The feeders fill in when flowers aren’t growing in early spring and after fall frosts.
The Rocks pass along their 10 years of expertise by hosting a hummingbird gardening website (sites.google.com/view/hummingbirdgardening/home) and by giving community presentations. They’ve learned a lot over the years about hummingbird habits in the Midwest.
Although there are 300 kinds of hummingbirds, the ruby-throated (left) is the only one common throughout the Midwest. The tiny birds arrive here in May and June, then leave gardens to build nests in isolated forest areas. As soon as mating is over, in early July, the males begin to migrate because they play no role in raising the young. Females head south after their offspring learn to fly.
“We see an increase in the number of hummingbirds beginning in early August,” Kathi says. “Our peak time in Madison is traditionally mid-September. By then, most of the adult males are gone, and we’re seeing female and immature birds almost exclusively.”
Hummingbirds will dine from flowers of any color, but red attracts them best. “They can see red up to a mile away,” Kathi says.
Flowers with tubular blossoms evolved with hummingbirds, so the Rocks keep a good supply. Hummingbirds also eat spiders and insects, including mosquitoes and gnats.
Kathi recommends six plants to get your hummingbird garden started: perennials honeysuckle, bee balm and cardinal flower, as well as annuals Mexican cigar plant, blue anise sage and Texas sage.
Bee balm (Monarda didyma) has blooms that look like starbursts and fragrant foliage. It reaches 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Grow in full sun or light shade. Zone 4.
The red or red-orange variety of Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) blooms with trumpet-shape flowers on a vine that reaches 10-15 feet long. Grow in full sun. Zone 4.
Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) attracts hummers with fire truck red blossoms on 2- to 3-foot-tall stalks from late summer through fall. Grow in full sun or part shade. Zone 2.
Mexican cigar plant (Cuphea ‘David Verity’) grows 2 feet tall with orange tubular flowers and tips that resemble lit cigars. It flowers from early summer until frost, grows well in containers and thrives in full sun. Annual.
Blue anise sage (Salvia guaranitica ‘Black ‘n Blue”, i.e.) blooms with purple flowers from summer through fall. It reaches 2-4 feet tall. Grow in full sun to part shade. Annual.
Texas sage (Salvia coccinea) flowers prolifically with red flowers summer through fall. It reaches 2 feet tall and grows easily from seed. Grow in full sun.
Make Your Own Nectar
When your flowers aren’t blooming, feeders will help attract hummingbirds. Mix one part sugar with four parts tap water. Sugar dissolves quickly in warm water, so there’s no need to boil it. When nectar looks cloudy or moldy, wash the feeder and refill with a fresh batch.
While a traditional feeder is hung off a house or on a stand near your home, many different varieties are available, including ones that you can place in the ground (left) at any attractive spot in your garden.
In addition to the above, other annuals that attract hummingbirds include; fuchsias (especially ‘Gartenmeister’), lantana, nicotiana, pentas and hyssop.
The Rocks are hosting a Community Hummingbird Tour at their home (5118 Buffalo Tr., Madison 53705) on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 3-7:00 and on Sunday, Sept. 17, 1-5:00. There will be a program about hummingbirds and you can witness hummingbird banding.
All suggested plants are available at Klein’s in the springtime.
KLEIN’S RECIPES OF THE MONTH—These are a selection of relatively simple recipes chosen by our staff. New recipes appear monthly. Enjoy!!
We’re in the peak of watermelon season and from all indications, this has been a phenomenal year locally. Ideal weather conditions have made for large and sweet melons. Melons are now plentiful and inexpensive at local produce stands and markets. Though a treat on their own, watermelons are outstanding in salads, drinks and even when paired with savory ingredients for an unusual twist Here are a few of some of Klein’s favorites.
WATERMELON SALAD WITH FETA AND BASIL–Sweet and savory, this easy salad should be served immediately after prepared so flavors remain distinct. From the pages of Everyday Food magazine.
7 lbs. seedless watermelon (12 cups) in 1″ cubes.
4 TBS. fresh lime juice
1 cup basil, cut into thin strips
coarse salt and pepper to taste
8 oz. block feta cheese, crumbled into large chunks
In a large bowl, toss together the melon, juice and half of the basil. Serve immediately with the cheese and extra basil as toppings. Serves 8.
WATERMELON & CUCUMBER TONIC–From the pages of Cooking Light magazine. Makes 8 drinks.
6 cups cubed and seeded watermelon, divided
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, divided
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, divided
3 cups peeled, sliced and seeded cucumber, divided
2 1/2 cups chilled tonic water
1 1/4 cups gin
Blend half of each in a blender: the watermelon, mint, juice and cucumber. Strain the blended mixture in a bowl through 4 layers of cheese cloth lining a sieve. Squeeze out the liquid. Repeat the process with the rest of the ingredients and discard all solids. Combine 2 1/2 cups of the liquid, the tonic and the gin in a pitcher, stirring well. (Reserve the rest of the liquid for the next round of drinks or for another use.) Serve over ice.
WATERMELON MARGARITAS–Tried & true, this refreshing twist on a classic comes from the pages of Cooking Light magazine. A staff member made pitchers of this easy concoction for a recent party and received great reviews.
2 tsp. sugar
1 lime wedge
3 1/2 cups cubed, seeded watermelon
1/2 cup tequila
2 TBS. sugar
3 TBS. fresh lime juice
1 TBS. Triple Sec or orange flavored liqueur
Extra lime wedges for serving
Place the two tsp. sugar in a saucer. Rub the rims of 6 glasses with the lime wedge to moisten. Coat the rims of the glasses with sugar and set aside.
Combine the watermelon, tequila, 2 TBS. sugar, lime juice and Triple Sec in a blender and blend until smooth. Fill each glass with 1/2 cup crushed ice and add 1/2 cup of the margarita. Garnish with lime wedges. Serves 6.
SPIKED WATERMELON SALAD–This delicious and not-so-kid-friendly dessert comes from an issue of Bon Appetit magazine.
1 8 lb. watermelon, seeded and cut into 1″ pieces
1 cup fresh lemon juice
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup vodka
6 TBS. creme de cassis (a black currant liqueur)
salt to taste
1/4 cup fresh, chopped mint
Place the watermelon in a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the juice and the sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Whisk in the vodka and the creme de cassis. Season to taste with salt and pour over the melon and lightly mix. Cover and chill at least 2 hours. Sprinkle with the mint and serve. Serves 8.
WATERMELON, ORANGE AND FETA SALAD–Though similar, this salad combines different flavors than the first salad recipe above–the onions add a whole new dimension. This recipe is easily doubled.
Half of a 6″ seedless watermelon cut into 1/4″ thick slices
2 large oranges in slices
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
4 oz. crumbled feta
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 1/2 TBS. extra virgin olive oil
coarse salt and pepper to taste
Arrange the salad ingredients on a large platter, drizzle with oil and season to taste. Couldn’t be easier than that!! Serves 6.
NATURAL NEWS–
Kitchen Rx
Easy, at-home fixes for everyday ailments—from sunburn to sore muscles.
By Karyn Repinski for Better Homes & Gardens Magazine, August 2015
For damaged, dry hair:
1 ripe avocado
2 TBS. plain yogurt
tsp. honey
Blend the ingredients in a shallow bowl to form a paste. Massage the mixture into damp hair and then cover with a shower cap or old cotton towel. Let the mixture soak in for 20 minutes, then shampoo and rinse.
For yellow teeth:
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. water
Create a paste by combining. Dip a toothbrush in the paste and brush for 2 minutes @ 30 seconds per quadrant-upper right and left, then lower.
For a headache:
4 TBS. almond, grape seed or sunflower oil
a small squeeze bottle or a bottle with dropper
20 drops peppermint essential oil
Pour the oil into the bottle and then add the peppermint oil. Secure the lid and shake well. Rub a few drops into temples, forehead, neck and shoulders, avoiding the eyes.
The cooling effect of peppermint interrupts pain signals to the brain.
For bug bites:
Tea bags
Lightly dampen tea bags and store in the freezer. Place a frozen tea bag on a bug bite and allow to sit 5 minutes.
The compounds in white, green and black tea called tannins ease inflammation.
For acne outbreaks:
1 aspirin, crushed
1 tsp. water or enough to make a paste
Combine to form a paste, then use a cotton swab to dab on the blemish. Leave overnight and rinse.
Aspirin contains salicylic acid, which treats by exfoliating clogged pores and reducing inflammation.
For sunburn:
Enough plain yogurt to cover the affected area
Gently apply to sunburned skin with a soft sponge, dabbing gently. Let sit 5-10 minutes then rinse.
The proteins in yogurt have an anti-inflammatory, soothing effect.
For rough skin:
1 cup raw sugar
1/4 cup sesame, coconut or almond oil
4-5 drops favorite essential oil or 1 TBS. zest of grapefruit, orange or lemon to add scent
Mix the ingredients and spoon into a clean container with a tight fitting lid if not using immediately. Massage a tablespoon or two all over your body to gently exfoliate and moisturize then rinse. Use weekly.
SEPTEMBER’S PLANT OF THE MONTH:
VEGETABLES FOR THE FALL GARDEN
Plan the Fall Vegetable Garden
by Erika Jensen for Wisconsin Gardening magazine
In the heat of July, it’s time to plan for fall. That’s one of the liabilities of our short gardening season in the Upper Midwest. But the payback for the planning is a great fall garden. I love this season, because the weeds grow slower and I can relax, harvest my vegetables and enjoy life.
Why plan a fall garden? First, frost-tolerant vegetables can extend the harvest into October or November. A surprising diversity of vegetables will survive even a hard frost, especially with a little protection. Second, you can boost your garden’s production considerably, using the same beds that were used for spring greens or other early crops. Lastly, fall brings out the flavor of many vegetables, making them sweeter and tastier.
Tips for the Fall Gardener:
Time your plantings carefully
Succession planting is the key to extending the harvest until late in the fall. While some vegetables, such as leeks and Brussels sprouts, require a full season of growing, many more mature in 50 to 70 days and need to be started in mid to late summer. Figuring out an appropriate start date is both an art and a science. Yearly record keeping can help you become more accurate.
Transplant your fall vegetables
There’s more than one reason to transplant fall vegetables. Since most of your transplants will be in their flats for about four weeks, this gives you an extra month for your spring and summer plantings to finish. It’s also a way to control the germination environment, which tends to be hot and dry this time of year. Place your flats in the shade, water them daily and most vegetables will germinate without problems. You may be surprised to learn that many vegetables that are traditionally direct-seeded, such as beets, can also be transplanted.
***Please note*** that Klein’s has already done this step for you! We have a fantastic selection of fall starter plants on hand including lettuce, chard, kale, and many of our most-loved fall producing cole crops such as caulifower, broccoli, and kohlrabi; in addition to ornamental kales and cabbages, pansies and so much more!
You’ll need to plant a few vegetables (such as spinach, radishes, carrots) directly into the garden. In order to get a good germination rate, you’ll need to provide very consistent moisture. If the weather is hot and dry, your best bet is to water daily with a soaker hose or drip-irrigation tape.
Fall insect pressure
I’d like to tell you those insects slow down in the fall, but often they don’t. I frequently have a late infestation of flea beetles in early September, which damages transplants. I’ve seen cabbage loopers make it through a hard frost to munch on broccoli as soon as the next spell of warm weather sets in. What’s a gardener to do? Make sure your plants are watered consistently to help them cope with the insect damage. You can also use spun-poly row covers as soon as daytime temperatures cool down a little.
Protection
Frost protection can go a long way toward extending the harvest. I use a double layer of lightweight spun-poly row covers to protect my plants. Even vegetables that tolerate hard frosts can benefit from row covers, since they help plants deal with the stress of temperature changes.
Anything that grows fairly close to the ground, such as beets or leeks, can be mulched with straw or hay to protect the crop and keep the ground from freezing. In both cases, you’re trapping and using the ground heat to keep your vegetables warm and cozy.
A Few Notes on Fall Crops:
Brassicas (the Cole Crops): Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi
Vegetables in this family are a great staple of the fall garden, getting sweeter and tastier with frost. Cauliflower is probably the least cold tolerant of the group, while cabbage and Brussels sprouts are the toughest.
Though brassicas can take a hard frost, alternating temperatures can be hard on them. For this reason, I often cover them with row covers.
Roots: beets, radishes, turnips, carrots
Many root vegetables are easier to grow and taste better when they mature in the cool temperatures of fall. For example, radishes won’t bolt as quickly during the short days of autumn and don’t get as spicy. Carrots and beets that mature in cool weather are sweeter and denser than those that mature during the summer heat.
Klein’s has seed available for most in stock!
For something different, try one of the new hybrid salad turnips such as ‘Hakurei’, which are intended to be harvested at a small size and eaten fresh. You’ll be surprised by how good they are.
Greens: Lettuce, spinach, kale, chard, arugula, endive, mesclun, mâche
So many greens make a great addition to the fall garden and have wonderful cold tolerance. I don’t worry too much about trying to find special cold-tolerant varieties, since so many of them do just fine. You won’t need to worry about lettuce and spinach bolting as long as the weather stays cool. Arugula is best grown from September through the end of October.
AROUND TOWN:
For neighborhood events or garden tours that you would like posted in our monthly newsletter, please contact Rick at (608) 244-5661 or rick@kleinsfloral.com. Please include all details, i.e. dates, locations, prices, brief description, etc. Events must be garden related and must take place in the Madison vicinity and we must receive your information by the first of the month in which the event takes place for it to appear in that month’s newsletter.
GLEAM, Art in a New Light @ Olbrich Gardens
August 30 thru October 28
Wednesdays thru Saturdays in September from 7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. in October, rain or shine
In the gardens @ Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Featuring large-scale light installations, Olbrich’s GLEAM exhibit transforms the outdoor gardens and tropical conservatory into a land of luminous lullabies. Open a doorway to another universe, arrange a dazzling kaleidoscope of flowers, explore a maze of shadows, talk with the guardians of the forest and so much more! Enriched by the dreamy installations of our talented designers, you’ll be enchanted by the nighttime beauty of the Gardens!
Advanced timed-tickets are required.
General Public – $16
Olbrich Members – $12
Child (ages 6-12) – $8
Free - 5 & Under
Additional online processing fees apply to each reservation.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
Nature Hike @ the Arboretum
Sunday, September 3, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Learn about the land, plants, animals, fungi, phenology, and ecology. Geared for adults, these longer walks may cover some sloping terrain. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Family Nature Walk @ the Arboretum
Sunday, September 3, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
This walk is a fun, fascinating way for families with children elementary age and younger to explore the natural world. Adults must attend. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Dragonfly Monitoring Walk @ the Arboretum
Wednesday, September 6, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Family Walk
Join the Arboretum and the Wisconsin Dragonfly Society for guided walks to monitor dragonflies, including identifying species and collecting data for the Arboretum’s dragonfly monitoring project. No experience required, but an online training video is available by request (email jwhidden@wisc.edu). Recommended for ages 12 and up. Walks take place select Wednesdays and Saturdays into early October. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
A Native Gardening Conference @ the Arboretum
Native by Design: Gardening for a Sustainable Future
Sunday, September 10, 8:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
The annual native gardening conference teaches and promotes the use of native plants in home landscapes for biodiversity, habitat, beauty, and sustainability. Expert-led workshops inspire and inform gardeners and landowners to create and maintain native gardens or small-scale restorations. Keynote: “Creating and Managing Landscapes for Native Bees,” Heather Holm, pollinator conservationist garden designer. Fee: $65 before July 23; $70 after. Students: $30 with ID. Register by August 31.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Nature Hike @ the Arboretum
Sunday, September 10, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Learn about the land, plants, animals, fungi, phenology, and ecology. Geared for adults, these longer walks may cover some sloping terrain. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Twilight Trek in the Wingra Oak Savanna @ the Arboretum
Tuesday, September 12, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Explore Arboretum woodlands and wetlands along the northwest shoreline of Lake Wingra. This leisurely naturalist-led walk is suitable for adults and families with children. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. Free, no registration required. Meet at Arbor Dr. parking lot, off Monroe St. Madison Metro Transit route D buses stop at Monroe St. and Glenway St. Bicycle parking available.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Community Hummingbird Garden Tours
Wednesday, September 13, 3:00-7:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 17, 1:00-5:00 p.m.
5118 Buffalo Trail, Madison, 53705 (near Hilldale & Oscar Rennebohm Park)
Please note that face coverings are optional. The entire event is held outside.
One of Wisconsin’s Hummingbird Banders, Mickey O’Connor, will be banding hummingbirds on Wednesday, Sept. 13. Additionally, Larry Scheunemann will present an informative and fun class about hummingbirds on Wednesday and Sunday at 3 p.m. We have 100+ plants and shrubs on display (including some rare salvias from South America), 20 hummingbird feeders, a garden pond, and a door prize drawing on each day. You must be present to win. We will also provide printed information about hummingbird gardening. Please bring your own water or beverage bottle. Food will not be served and should not be brought or shared.
For more info please contact Kathi or Michael Rock at kathijr@yahoo.com.
Visit sites.google.com/view/hummingbirdgardening/home for more information.
Identifying and Monitoring Wisconsin’s Snakes @ the Arboretum
Saturday, September 16, 1:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Family Class
Wisconsin has more than twenty snake species, nearly all are harmless and fascinating. Learn their natural history, how to identify them, when to look for them, and how to monitor populations. Instructor: Rebecca Christoffel, Christoffel Conservation. Indoor presentation followed by outdoor monitoring demonstration. Fee: $35. Register by September 12 @ https://arboretum.wisc.edu/classes/wisconsins-snakes/ . Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Fall in the Native Plant Garden @ the Arboretum
Saturday, September 16, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
A Garden Tour
Color, fruits, seeds, late blooming plants, late-season insects—we will find these and more in the diverse native plant gardens around the Visitor Center. Susan Carpenter, garden curator, will lead this tour. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Nature Hike in the Grady Tract @ the Arboretum
Sunday, September 17, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Learn about the land, plants, animals, fungi, phenology, and ecology. Geared for adults, these longer walks may cover some sloping terrain. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. Free, no registration required. Meet at Grady Tract parking lot, southeast corner of Seminole Hwy. and W. Beltline Frontage Rd. (No restroom facilities at Grady Tract.)
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Mighty Migrations @ the Arboretum
Sunday, September 17, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Family Nature Program
This program is a fun, fascinating way for families with children elementary age and younger to explore the natural world. Nature walk: 1:30–2:30 p.m., activities: 2:30–3:30 p.m. Adults must attend. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Rotary Garden’s What’s in Bloom? Tour
Thursday, September 21, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Rotary Botanical Gardens, 1455 Palmer Dr., Janesville, WI
Rotary Botanical Gardens Director of Horticulture, Michael Jesiolowski will provide a behind-the-scenes look at what’s blooming this month and answer any questions you may have.
What’s in Bloom? Tours take place on the 3rd Thursday of the month (April-September). The tours are free for RBG members, or $10 for non-members.
To register, please call 608.752.3885, sign up in person on the day of the tour or sign up @ https://rotarybotanicalgardens.org/event/whats-in-bloom-tour/2023-09-21/ .
Rotary Botanical Gardens
1455 Palmer Dr., Janesville, WI
608/752-3885 or www.rotarybotanicalgardens.org/
Dragonfly Monitoring Walk @ the Arboretum
Saturday, September 23, 12:00-1:30 p.m.
Family Walk
Join the Arboretum and the Wisconsin Dragonfly Society for guided walks to monitor dragonflies, including identifying species and collecting data for the Arboretum’s dragonfly monitoring project. No experience required, but an online training video is available by request (email jwhidden@wisc.edu). Recommended for ages 12 and up. Walks take place select Wednesdays and Saturdays into early October. Meet at the Visitor Center.
Fall Equinox Night Walk @ the Arboretum
Saturday, September 23, 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Let your eyes adjust to the moonlight, listen to the night sounds, and experience the darkness on this naturalist-led walk. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. Free, register through Eventbrite by September 20: uw-madison-arboretum.eventbrite.com .
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Garden Stroll @ the Arboretum
Sunday, September 24, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
This gently paced stroll through the gardens is well-suited for a multi-generational outing. Learn about plants, animals, and fungi; phenology; and ecology. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks take place rain or shine, except in unsafe weather. Routes are wheelchair accessible when weather allows. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Nature Hike @ the Arboretum
Sunday, October 1, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Learn about the land, plants, animals, fungi, phenology, and ecology. Geared for adults, these longer walks may cover some sloping terrain. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Family Nature Walk @ the Arboretum
Sunday, October 1, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
This walk is a fun, fascinating way for families with children elementary age and younger to explore the natural world. Adults must attend. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Twilight Trek in the Wingra Oak Savanna @ the Arboretum
Tuesday, October 3, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Explore Arboretum woodlands and wetlands along the northwest shoreline of Lake Wingra. This leisurely naturalist-led walk is suitable for adults and families with children. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. Free, no registration required. Meet at Arbor Dr. parking lot, off Monroe St. Madison Metro Transit route D buses stop at Monroe St. and Glenway St. Bicycle parking available.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Dane County Farmer’s Market
Saturdays, April 15 thru November 11, 6:15-1:45
On the Capitol Square
Wednesdays, April 19 thru November 1, 8:30-1:45
In the 200 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
For details visit www.dcfm.org
Northside Farmers Market
Sundays, May 14 through October 29, 8:30-12:30
In the Northside TownCenter at the intersection of N. Sherman Ave. and Northport Dr. across from Warner Park.
The Northside Farmers Market is a nonprofit community enterprise. It is one of the newest and fastest growing farmers’ markets in Dane County. In keeping with the innovative spirit of Madison’s Northside, we are surpassing what defines the traditional farmers’ market. Our fundamental principles include:
–Providing an abundant selection of high quality, locally grown foods.
The market accepts Quest, WIC and Senior FMNP vouchers.
–Supporting our local agricultural entrepreneurs who are increasingly important today in ensuring that we have the best and safest food possible.
–Educating the community about traditional foods and the history of local agriculture in an attempt to preserve (and expand upon) our rich heritage.
Parking is always FREE!
For details visit www.northsidefarmersmarket.org
SEPTEMBER IN THE GARDEN-–A checklist of things to do this month.
**Although the average first frost date for Madison is about Oct. 6, killing frosts have occurred as early as September 12 (1955). Be aware of quick weather changes this time of year. Be prepared to cover tender plants at any time.
___Continue sowing lettuce, endive, escarole and spinach.
___Plant garlic now! This is the best time for Wisconsin.
___Plant bearded iris rhizomes and transplant peonies.
___Harvest pumpkins and winter squash.
___Apply a systemic pesticide to plants to be wintered over indoors.
___Continue planting shrubs and trees.
___Plant grass seed. September is one of the best times as nights cool.
___Aerate your lawn.
___Divide and plant perennials as desired.
___Stop deadheading perennials for winter interest, i.e. sedums, grasses, etc.
___Dig tender bulbs as the foliage yellows.
___Give the garden at least 1″ of moisture per week.
___Collect seeds for next year’s garden.
___Make notes in your garden journal for changes, improvements, etc.
___Take pictures of your garden for record keeping.
___Keep and eye on the weather. Water as needed.
___Shop for spring bulbs, mums and pansies.
___Bring dormant amaryllis bulb indoors for 3 mo. of rest.
___Begin checking out the garden centers for spring bulb selection.
___Take cuttings of geraniums, coleus and other plants to winter over.
___Late in the month, begin planting spring bulbs, but wait as long as possible.
___Begin moving houseplants back indoors.
___Visit Klein’s—Great selection of mums, kales, cabbages, pansies & more!
Some of our very favorite seed and plant sources include:
For seeds:
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds @ www.rareseeds.com or 417/924-8887
Burpee @ www.burpee.com or 800/888-1447
Harris Seeds @ www.harrisseeds.com or 800/514-4441
Johnny’s Select Seeds @ www.johnnyseeds.com or 207/861-3901
Jung’s Seeds @ www.jungseed.com or 800/247-5864
Park’s Seeds @ www.parkseed.com or 800/845-3369
Pinetree @ www.superseeds.com or 207/926-3400
Seeds of Change @ www.seedsofchange.com or 888/762-7333
Seed Savers @ www.seedsavers.org or 563/382-5990
Select Seeds @ www.selectseeds.com or 800/684-0395
Territorial Seeds @ www.territorialseed.com or 888/657-3131
For bulbs:
Brent & Becky’s Bulbs @ www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com or 877/661-2852
Colorblends @ www.colorblends.com or 888/847-8637
John Scheeper’s @ www.johnscheepers.com or 860/567-0838
McClure & Zimmerman @ www.mzbulb.com or 800/883-6998
For plants:
High Country Gardens @ www.highcountrygardens.com or 800/925-9387
Logee’s Greenhouses @ www.logees.com or 888/330-8038
Plant Delights Nursery @ www.plantdelights.com or 912/772-4794
Roots and Rhizomes @ www.rootsrhizomes.com or 800/374-5035
Wayside Gardens @ www.waysidegardens.com or 800/213-0379
White Flower Farm @ www.whiteflowerfarm.com or 800/503-9624
BEHIND THE SCENES AT KLEIN’S—This is a sneak peek of what is going on each month behind the scenes in our greenhouses. Many people are unaware that our facility operates year round or that we have 10 more greenhouses on the property in addition to the 6 open for retail. At any given moment we already have a jump on the upcoming season–be it poinsettias in July, geraniums in December or fall mums in May.
IN SEPTEMBER:
—The poinsettias continue grow and thrive in our back greenhouses. They’re almost ready to bring into our retail greenhouses before the weather gets too cold.
—Crops arrive for winter sales: cyclamen, azaleas.
—We begin weatherizing the greenhouses for winter.
—All remaining perennials are cut back, cleaned up.
—We continue stocking fall mums as they go into bloom. We’ll continue to have a good selection into November.
—Ordering plants for spring 2024 is going on fast and furious. Our growers order early to ensure best selection. They pore over stacks of catalogs containing the newest plant material for next season.
PERMANENT FEATURES–
KLEIN’S MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Have our monthly newsletter e-mailed to you automatically by signing up on the top of our home page @ kleinsfloral.com . We’ll offer monthly tips, greenhouse news and tidbits, specials and recipes. . .everything you need to know from your favorite Madison greenhouse. And tell your friends. It’s easy to do.
THE MAD GARDENER–“Madison’s Firsthand Source for Expert Gardening Advice”
Ask us your gardening questions by e-mailing us at madgardener@kleinsfloral.com. Klein’s in-house Mad Gardener will e-mail you with an answer as promptly as we can. The link is posted on our home page and in all newsletters.
We can only answer those questions pertaining to gardening in Southern Wisconsin and we reserve the right to leave correspondence unanswered at our discretion. Please allow 2-3 days for a response.
KLEIN’S ‘HOUSEPLANT HELP’
You can contact Klein’s in-house indoor plant experts by emailing to houseplanthelp@kleinsfloral.com for sound information and advice regarding indoor tropicals, succulents, blooming plants and so much more.
For many years, customers’ indoor plant questions have been directed to Klein’s Mad Gardener. Now you have the opportunity to contact our indoor plant experts directly. We’ve posted a link on our home page and in our contacts for your convenience. Your question might then appear in the “You Asked” feature of our monthly newsletter. If your question is the one selected for our monthly newsletter, you’ll receive a small gift from us at Klein’s.
We reserve the right to leave correspondence unanswered at our discretion. Please allow 2-3 days for a response.
TO WRITE A REVIEW OF KLEIN’S, PLEASE LINK TO
FACEBOOK
Follow Klein’s on Facebook where we post updates and photos on a regular basis.
TWITTER
Join Klein’s on Twitter where we post company updates and photos on a regular basis.
SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNT
We offer a 5% Off Senior Citizen Discount every Tuesday to those 62 and above. This discount is not in addition to other discounts or sales. Please mention that you are a senior before we ring up your purchases. Does not apply to wire out orders or services, i.e. delivery, potting, etc.
DELIVERY INFO
Klein’s Floral and Greenhouses delivers daily, except Sundays, throughout all of Madison and much of Dane County including: Cottage Grove, Deerfield, DeForest, Fitchburg, Maple Bluff, Marshall, McFarland, Middleton, Monona, Oregon, Shorewood Hills, Sun Prairie, Verona, Waunakee and Windsor. We do not deliver to Cambridge, Columbus or Stoughton.
Current delivery rate on 1-4 items is $7.95 for Madison, Maple Bluff, Monona and Shorewood Hills; $8.95 for Cottage Grove, DeForest, Fitchburg, McFarland, Sun Prairie, Waunakee and Windsor; and $9.95 for Marshall, Middleton, Oregon and Verona. An additional $3.00 will be added for deliveries of 4-10 items and $5.00 added for deliveries of more than 10 items. For deliveries requiring more than one trip, a separate delivery charge will be added for each trip.
A minimum order of $25.00 is required for delivery.
We not only deliver our fabulous fresh flowers, but also houseplants, bedding plants and hardgoods. There may be an extra charge for very large or bulky items.
Delivery to the Madison hospitals is $5.95. Deliveries to the four Madison hospitals are made during the early afternoon. Items are delivered to the hospital’s volunteer rooms and not directly to the patients’ rooms per hospital rules.
There is no delivery charge for funerals in the city of Madison or Monona, although normal rates apply for morning funeral deliveries to Madison’s west side (west of Park St.). Our normal rates also apply for funeral deliveries in the surrounding communities at all times. Although we don’t deliver on Sundays, we will deliver funeral items on Sundays at the regular delivery rate.
Morning delivery is guaranteed to the following Madison zip codes, but only if requested: 53703, 53704, 53714, 53716, 53718 and Cottage Grove, Deerfield, DeForest, Maple Bluff, Marshall, McFarland, Monona, Sun Prairie, Waunakee and Windsor.
We begin our delivery day at 8:00 a.m. and end at approximately 3:00 p.m. We do not usually deliver after 4:00 unless specific exceptions are made with our drivers.
Except for holidays, the following west-side zip codes and communities are delivered only during the afternoon: 53705, 53706, 53711, 53713, 53717, 53719, 53726, Fitchburg, Middleton, Oregon, Shorewood Hills and Verona.
During holidays (Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, etc.) we are able to make morning deliveries to all of the above areas. We are not able to take closely timed deliveries on any holiday due to the sheer volume of such requests.
It’s best to give us a range of time and we’ll try our absolute hardest. Orders for same day delivery must be placed by 12:30 p.m. or by 2:30 p.m. for Madison zip codes 53704 and 53714.
DEPARTMENT HEADS: Please refer all questions, concerns or feedback in the following departments to their appropriate supervisor. Phone: 608/244-5661.
Horticulturalist & General Manager–Jamie VandenWymelenberg jamie@kleinsfloral.com
Floral Manager—Sarah Sonson floral@kleinsfloral.com
Houseplant Buyer, Newsletter Coordinator—Rick Halbach rick@kleinsfloral.com
Purchasing—Megan Johnson megan@kleinsfloral.com
Owner, Floral Designer & Purchasing—Sue Klein sue@kleinsfloral.com
RELATED RESOURCES AND WEB SITES
University of Wisconsin Extension
1 Fen Oak Ct. #138
Madison, WI 53718
608/224-3700
Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic
Dept. of Plant Pathology
1630 Linden Dr.
Madison, WI 53706
Insect Diagnostic Lab
240 Russell Labs
1630 Linden Dr.
Madison, WI 53706
U.W. Soil and Plant Analysis Lab
8452 Mineral Point Rd.
Verona, WI 53593
608/262-4364
American Horticultural Society
Garden Catalogs (an extensive list with links)
Invasive Species
Community Groundworks
3601 Memorial Dr., Ste. 4
Madison, WI 53704
608/240-0409
Madison Area Master Gardeners (MAMGA)
Wisconsin Master Gardeners Program
Department of Horticulture
1575 Linden Drive
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Madison, WI 53706
608/265-4504
The Wisconsin Gardener
Allen Centennial Gardens
620 Babcock Dr.
Madison, WI 53706
608/262-8406
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave.
Madison, WI 53704
608/246-4550
Rotary Gardens
1455 Palmer Dr.
Janesville, WI 53545
608/752-3885
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888
University of Wisconsin-West Madison
Agricultural Research Center
8502 Mineral Point Rd.
Verona, WI 53593
608/262-2257
PLANTS POISONOUS TO CHILDREN:
Children may find the bright colors and different textures of plants irresistible, but some plants can be poisonous if touched or eaten. If you’re in doubt about whether or not a plant is poisonous, don’t keep it in your home. The risk is not worth it. The following list is not comprehensive, so be sure to seek out safety information on the plants in your home to be safe.
•Bird of paradise
•Bull nettle
•Castor bean
•Chinaberry tree
•Crocus
•Daffodil
•Deadly nightshade
•Dieffenbachia (dumb cane)
•Foxglove
•Glory lily
•Hemlock
•Holly berry
•Indian tobacco
•Iris
•Jimsonweed
•Lantana
•Larkspur
•Lily of the valley
•Marijuana
•Mescal bean
•Mexicantes
•Mistletoe
•Morning glory
•Mountain laurel
•Night-blooming jasmine
•Nutmeg
•Oleander
•Philodendron
•Poison ivy
•Poison sumac
•Pokeweed
•Poppy
•Potato
•Privet
•Rhododendron
•Rhubarb
•Water hemlock
•Wisteria
PLANTS POISONOUS TO PETS:
Below is a list of some of the common plants which may produce a toxic reaction in animals. This list is intended only as a guide to plants which are generally identified as having the capability for producing a toxic reaction. Source: The National Humane Society website @ http://www.humanesociety.org/
•Aconite
•Apple
•Arrowgrasses
•Autumn Crocus
•Azaleas
•Baneberry
•Bird-of-Paradise
•Black locust
•Bloodroot
•Box
•Buckeye
•Buttercup
•Caladium
•Carolina jessamine
•Castor bean
•Chinaberry tree
•Chockcherries
•Christmas berry
•Christmas Rose
•Common privet
•Corn cockle
•Cowbane
•Cow cockle
•Cowsliprb
•Daffodil
•Daphne
•Day lily
•Delphinium (Larkspur)
•Dumbcane
•Dutchman’s breeches
•Easter lily
•Elderberry
•Elephant’s ear
•English Ivy
•European Bittersweet
•Field peppergrass
•Foxglove
•Holly
•Horsechestnut
•Horse nettle
•Hyacinth
•Iris
•Jack-in-the-pulpit
•Jerusalem Cherry
•Jimsonweed
•Lantana
•Larkspur
•Laurels
•Lily of the valley
•Lupines
•Mayapple
•Milk vetch
•Mistletoe
•Monkshood
•Morning glory
•Mustards
•Narcissus
•Nicotiana
•Nightshade
•Oaks
•Oleander
•Philodendrons
•Pokeweed
•Poinsettia
•Poison hemlock
•Potato
•Rhododendron
•Rhubarb
•Rosary pea
•Sago palm
•Skunk cabbage
•Smartweeds
•Snow-on-the-mountain
•Sorghum
•Star of Bethlehem
•Wild black cherry
•Wild radish
•Wisteria
•Yellow jessamine
•Yew