‘THE SAGE’-Klein’s Online Newsletter—MARCH 2025
Klein’s Floral & Greenhouses
3758 E. Washington Ave.
Madison, WI 53704
608/244-5661 or info@kleinsfloral.com
THIS MONTH’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Ever Thought about Working @ a Garden Center?
Our ‘Mad Gardener‘ and ‘Houseplant Help‘ Are Ready for Your Questions
Klein’s Favorite Seed, Bulb & Plant Sources
Hiring Your Wedding Florist
You Asked About Vegetable Availability in the Springtime
Can Plants “Hear” Pollinators?
Madison’s Plethora of Farmers’ Markets Soon to Begin!
Plant of the Month: The Spider Plant
Klein’s Favorite Squash Soup Recipes
Product Spotlight: Soil Mixes and Amendments from Sol Soils of Minneapolis
Notes from Rick’s Garden Journal—From February 2025
—Bottom Heat for Seed Germination
—About Livingston Seed Company
—A Seed Starting Primer from Select Seeds
March in the Garden: A Planner
Gardening Events Around Town
Review Klein’s @: Yelp, Google Reviews or Facebook Reviews
Join Us on Twitter
Follow Us on Facebook
EVER THOUGHT ABOUT WORKING AT A GARDEN CENTER?
Perhaps now’s the time to explore the possibility.
February is the perfect time to fill out an application online @ kleinsfloral.com/employment/. By early March we try to have most of our hiring in place for the upcoming spring.
We’re always in need of temporary, part-time counter help in the spring and greenhouse production swings into gear during March. If you’re interested, ask for Sue or Megan about retail positions or Michael for the greenhouse. Benefits include flexible hours, a generous discount on all purchases and a stimulating and fun work environment. Join our team and experience first hand how we make the magic happen.
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.
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.
MARCH STORE HOURS:
Monday thru Friday : 9:00-6:00
Saturday: 9:00-5:00
Sunday: 10:00-4:00
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
March 4–Mardi Gras
March 5–Ash Wednesday
March 8–International Women’s Day
March 9–Daylight Saving Time Begins
March 14–Full Moon
March 17–St. Patrick’s Day. From shamrocks to green carnations–we have it!
March 20–First Day of Spring!!!! It’s still too early to plant, but you’ll notice spring bulbs peeking through the cold soil, trees buds bulging and maybe even that first robin. Keep in mind that Madison’s average last frost date is May 10 so there’s usually still lots of cold and snow to come.
March 31–Eid al Fitr
April 1–April Fool’s Day
‘THE FLOWER SHOPPE’:
How To Hire a Wedding Florist
Contact your florist once you’ve selected the date, time and place for your wedding and reception. If you aren’t familiar with the florists in your area, ask for recommendations from other brides, reception halls or churches. If possible, set up an appointment with the lead designer who will be in charge of filling the order for your wedding flowers.
Look through bridal books and floral guides. Sketch ideas, cut out pictures or take photographs of flowers you like and share them with your florist. Seeing your ideas and personal style will help your florist translate your concepts and special requests into workable floral designs and arrangements that are just right for you.
It will be helpful if you know the colors and style of the gowns you and your bridesmaids will be wearing. Bring pictures of your gown and the bridesmaids dresses, along with swatches of fabric if you have them available.
During your initial consultation with your florist, discuss specific design ideas that fit both your personal style and budget. Make arrangements for your florist to visit both the ceremony and reception sites.
The following are suggested questions to ask when consulting with a wedding florist:
•What are the current bridal styles and how do you see them being used in my wedding?
•What are some of the new and exciting flower varieties and are they available in the colors I have selected for my wedding?
•What flowers will be in season at the time of my wedding?
•What flowers are available that will be used to fill my order based upon my budget and color preferences?
•Do you have pictures of arrangements from other weddings you’ve done at my wedding ceremony/reception site? What size, shape and colors work best at my ceremony/reception site?
•Will there be sufficient staff to design the arrangements for my wedding and have them delivered on time?
•How will the flowers be handled, delivered and set-up, taking into consideration the weather constraints for my wedding?
•Do you preserve bouquets after the wedding?
•Is there an additional charge for delivery, set-up and servicing my wedding? How are these charges determined?
•Do you offer rental items (vases, urns, etc.) or do we need to rent them from another company?
•Are there any extra fees (delivery, set-up, sales tax, etc.)?
Please contact Sarah, Renee or Sue at 608/244-5661 or floral@kleinsfloral.com to set up your consultation appointment. Dates fill quickly so plan early!
Source: Society of American Florists at www.aboutflowers.com
YOU ASKED. . .
When do you get in your live vegetable plants? Is there a pre-order ability or a catalog of what you will get in? Margot
Hi Margot,
The first of the veggies available (We grow most of our own from seed.) are the cold weather crops like lettuce, chard and members of the cabbage family (broccoli, kale, etc.) They are usually ready (weather dependent) by early April.
Madison’s last average frost date is about May 10 so we hold back on the rest of the veggies until the first week of May. If we put the tender veggies on the sales floor earlier and get a late freeze customers blame us for putting them out so early and want/expect replacements. We recommend not planting tender veggies until at least May 15 and even then looking ahead to the 10 day forecast at that time. Old timers wait until May 20 or even later. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and so many others require warm soil regardless of air temperature.
As for availability, take a look on our website @https://kleinsfloral.com/spring-plants/ for last season’s selection. It usually doesn’t change much from year to year. We post the current season’s availability around April 15, once we’ve sown, know germination success and know how the crops are doing.
For select items, you will be able to shop online on our website @ https://kleinsfloral.com/shop/ . We only put our most popular varieties in our shop online store…the ones that are available season-long. Therefore, choices are limited there as selection changes daily as plantings sell out and we wait for the next crop to be ready for sale. It’s best to shop in store for our complete selection at any given moment.
Happy Growing Season!! Spring is just weeks away!!
Thanks for your question,
madgardener@kleinsfloral.com, houseplanthelp@kleinsfloral.com
DID YOU KNOW. . .
. . . that in addition to the very popular Dane County Farmers’ Market on the Capitol Square, there are many more weekly farmers’ markets in Madison and most of the surrounding communities?
Below is a list of weekly farmers’ market in the city of Madison. For a list of farmers’ markets in the surrounding area, please visit https://madisonmom.com/greater-madison-area-farmers-markets/
—Capital View Farmers’ Market
When: Wednesdays 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm / June – October
Where: 5901 Sharpsburg Dr., outside the Grand Park Apartments, east of the Interstate off Cottage Grove Rd.
—Dane County Farmers’ Market
When: Saturdays 6:15 am – 1:45 pm / April – November
Where: Capitol Square
—Eastside Farmer’s Market
When: Tuesdays 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm / April – October
Where: McPike Park, 202 S. Ingersoll St., Madison
—El Mercadito De Centro (Centro Hispano Farmers’ Market)
hen: Wednesdays 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm / February – November
Where: Centro Hispano, 2403 Cypress Way
—Hilldale Farmer’s Market
Wednesdays and Saturdays 8:00 am – 1:00 pm / May – October
Where: Behind LL Bean, off Segoe Rd.
—Monroe Street Farmers’ Market
Sundays 9:00 am – 1:00 pm / May – October
Where: Edgewood High School, 2219 Monroe St., Madison
—Northside Farmers’ Market
When: Sundays 8:30 am – 12:30 pm / May – October
Where: 2901 N. Sherman Ave., Northside Town Center, near Old National Bank
—Southside Farmers’ Market at Labor Temple
Sundays 11:00 am – 3:00 pm and Tuesdays 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm / spring – October
Fridays 2:00 — 6:00 / June — October
Where: Labor Temple, 1602 S. Park St., Madison
—Southside Farmers’ Market at Novation Center
Mondays 2:00 am – 6:00 pm / June — October
Where: 2500 Rimrock Rd., Madison
—Westside Community Market
When: Saturdays 7:00 am – 12:30 pm / April – November
Where: 505 S. Rosa Rd., inside University Research Park
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.
Sol Soils Premium Potting Mixes and Amendments of Minneapolis
Sol Soils offers a variety of high-quality soils, soil components, and soil toppers designed for potted plants of all varieties. We select and hand-mix the best ingredients to produce fast draining soils that help protect against root rot, the number one killer of indoor plants.
At Sol Soils, we are passionate about the beauty of plants and the natural world. But passion doesn’t change the world without action. Through our partnership with global non-profit One Tree Planted, we donate a portion of every bag sold to plant a tree in the world’s most deforested areas. With each purchase of a Sol Soils product, you are directly contributing to the restoration of our planet’s most beautiful and important ecosystems.
Sol Soils is a small Minneapolis-based company founded in the summer of 2021 by friends and plant aficionados Travis Thein and John Porter. Travis developed a deep interest in cacti and succulents during the pandemic of 2020 and realized quickly that all the mainstream specialty soils available retained far too much water for his indoor, potted plants. He spent over 1,000 hours researching, designing, and testing different soil mixes for his own plants. The goal was to create faster-draining mediums to help his indoor plants thrive. Since then he has been regularly consulting with soil scientists and botanists to perfect the mixes. John was fascinated and impressed with the whole process, and during a trip to Palm Springs–while browsing a cactus nursery–the two decided to create a business to share these mixes more broadly. Sol Soils was born.
Klein’s is happy to be carrying these Sol Soils products:
Houseplant Chunky Mix—Houseplant Chunky Mix contains the most organic matter of all our products to ensure that your houseplants get all the moisture and nutrients they need to thrive. This mix utilizes recycled coconut chips and coir, an otherwise wasted byproduct of the coconut industry. Of the 50 million coconuts produced around the world each year, about 85% of the husks are discarded as trash. As a soil component, the ground husks offer excellent aeration and moisture retention properties while still providing a fast-draining medium to reduce the risk of soggy soil and root-rot for indoor potted plants.
Succulent Gritty Mix—Succulent Gritty Mix is ideal for a wide variety of succulents and other dry-weather plants. It contains more organic matter and retains more moisture/nutrients than our cactus soil. This mix utilizes recycled coconut chips and coir, an otherwise wasted byproduct of the coconut industry. Of the 50 million coconuts produced around the world each year, about 85% of the husks are discarded as trash. As a soil component, the ground husks offer excellent aeration and moisture retention properties while still providing a fast-draining medium to reduce the risk of soggy soil and root-rot for indoor potted plants.
Cactus Gritty Mix—Cactus Gritty Mix is the mix that started it all! This puts a more eco-friendly spin on the traditional gritty cactus soil by utilizing coconut chips and coir, an otherwise wasted byproduct of the coconut industry. Of the 50 million coconuts produced around the world each year, about 85% of the husks are discarded as trash. As a soil component, the ground husks offer excellent aeration and moisture retention properties while still providing a fast-draining medium. Cactus Gritty Mix is the perfect choice for a wide variety of cacti and other hardy, dry-weather plants.
Orchid Chunky Mix—Orchid Chunky Mix is designed to be extra light and avoid compaction to provide maximum oxygen to the root system, a must for these unique plants. Contains coconut husk chips, recycled forest products and chunky perlite
LECA Balls—LECA (Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate) is becoming one of the most popular and versatile substances in horticulture. As a soil component or medium, it retains moisture while providing excellent drainage for excess water. Use as a soil topper for a unique desert or Martian theme!
Pumice—Pumice (filtered 3/8″ to 1/4″ in size) is relatively lightweight volcanic rock used as an amendment in all types of soil. Its porous composition allows it to retain moisture and nutrients during watering, and release them slowly over time as the root system requires. Think of these components as little batteries for your plants!
…and new from the Sol Biotics line of products:
Sol Biotics – Repot Recovery — Think of this like your post workout recovery shake, but to help your plant come back to its best self quickly after the shock of repotting. Also eases the transition in moving propagations from water or LECA into soil.
Sol Biotics – Monthly Myrco— a similar concept to taking pro-biotics for your own gut health. These 4 species of Mycorrhizae [my-kuh-rai-zee] are beneficial fungi which form a symbiotic relationship with the plant and increase the surface area of root systems which may aid in nutrient and water absorption.
Sol Biotics – Necessary Nutrients—Think of this like a probiotic supplement and three square meals a day, but for your plant’s long term well-being.
Sol Biotics – Soil Salvation—Think of this like adding little 5-Star hotels throughout the root ball for the beneficial microbes in your potting mix, kind of like a spa day.
Source: solsoils.com
NOTES FROM MY GARDEN JOURNAL–Tips and Observations from My Own Garden by Rick Halbach
ENTRY: FEBRUARY 1, 2025 (Bottom Heat for Seed Germination)
My seeds for the upcoming season have all arrived and looking ahead, I’m looking forward to getting my seeds started beginning in early March. I’ve inventoried and stocked up on supplies, sterilized my equipment and have made sure all lights and germination mats are in working order.
That said, both of my germination mats are now decades old and have held up well. I’m dreading the day when one won’t work when I need it most…that weekend at the end of March when seed starting is at its peak and it’s a daily process of moving seed-starting flats off the mats only to be immediately replaced by freshly sown seed flats needing bottom heat.
Wanting to try starting seeds indoors and don’t have a germination mat? The following article by Jennifer Howell appeared in an issue of Garden Gate Magazine:
How Else Can You Provide Bottom Heat?
Any extra warmth can make a difference. If you don’t have a germination mat, here are a few hacks that will give your seed-stating tray bottom heat:
A Warm Appliance
Many household appliances, such as refrigerators, water heaters or freezers, give off just enough heat to warm a tray of potting mix. Just set on top of the appliance.
Radiator or Heat Vent
Set trays above the heater on a shelf, but make sure it doesn’t get too hot! Remember that it can be dry near a heat vent, so check the soil often to make sure it stays moist.
Foil Tent around Grow Lights
Warm the germination mix by trapping heat given off by grow lights with aluminum foil tented around the lights and seed trays. (Personally, I use old shower curtains tented over my tall seed racks to trap in extra heat).
Pet Warmers
Pet bed warmers and reptile heating mats work just like a germination mat and won’t get too hot.
Holiday String Lights
Secure string lights under a shelf or a baker’s cooling rack with S-hooks or cable ties. Set your seed-starting tray right on top.
Note: DO NOT USE electric blankets or heating pads as a germination mat. They get too hot for seedlings, should not be used in wet conditions, and are not designed to be on constantly.
* * * * *
ENTRY: FEBRUARY 3, 2025 (About Livingston Seed Company)
Each first week of January for the past few decades or so boxes of garden seeds from Livingston Seed are reliably the first to arrive on our doorstep for spring sales and early indoor seed starting. And each year seed from Livingston Seed remains among our top-sellers of the five or more seed suppliers whose products we sell at Klein’s. An interesting selection and colorful packaging are the main reasons for their continued success.
About Livingston Seed Company:
Livingston Seed was founded in 1850 by Alexander Livingston. Mr. Livingston developed the first reliable tomato variety and cultivated a total of 31 varieties under the name “Buckeye Garden Seed Company”. The first of these was the Paragon, introduced in 1870. However, in Mr. Livingston’s day tomatoes were generally thought poisonous. In fact, tomatoes were prized more as exotic ornamentals than edibles.
Today, Livingston Seed offers an expansive range of vegetable and flower seeds in both packets and bulk, as well as many display options. Livingston Seed has continued to search out new varieties, merchandising, and packaging all designed with you in mind.
Livingston Seed is a wholesale company, selling only to the trade. We have done the research to find out what our consumers are looking for in a seed company. Our packets are designed to fill these needs. Each packet showcases beautiful photographs shot in our own trial garden. Every packet contains easy to read, helpful information. Our packets are truly unique and designed with your customer in mind. Our patented window in our Bonus Packs allows customers to actually see the seed!
At Livingston Seed we make it a priority to be the value leader in the industry. We offer more seed in our packets at a lower price value than any other company. We are committed to independent businesses and do not sell to the “big box” stores.
Livingston Seed Company states that all varieties offered for sale do not contain any Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s). We provide seeds that are developed using traditional breeding techniques and have not undergone any genetic transformation.
Our Seeds are not chemically treated.
Source: livingstonseed.info
* * * * *
ENTRY: FEBRUARY 21, 2025 (A Seed Starting Primer from Select Seeds)
My pots and trays are all cleaned and sterilized. All of my 2025 seeds have arrived from online sources. I’m all set to begin my indoor seed starting in the weeks ahead for the upcoming gardening season!!
The following seed starting primer comes from my very favorite online source for heirloom flower seeds:
A Seed Starting Primer from Select Seeds:
What You Need to Start for Indoor Sowing
Media: Soil-less seed germinating mix is formulated with finely milled sphagnum peat, vermiculite or perlite, free of weeds or pathogens. If the mixture is dry, add some warm water and mix in; let it sit for a few hours to absorb the moisture. The mix should be fine textured and lightly moist.
Container: Clean pots are essential, so be sure to wash any reused plastic pots in soapy water that has a splash of bleach in it. Good drainage is essential! Shallow pots with holes in the bottom, such as the common 6-pack, are ideal. When filling, do not pack the growing medium into the pot, as this will decrease space for air, water, and root growth. Instead, tap the sides or bottom of the container to get the mixture to settle. Leave about 1/2″ of space to the top of the container.
Bright Artificial Light: A fixture outfitted with led lights or even two cool fluorescent bulbs is bright enough for growing good stocky seedlings.
How to Sow Your Seeds Indoors
When to Sow: Find your last spring frost date with this easy zip code frost date lookup. Count backwards from that date to find the best sow times for the seeds, organizing them in groups by sow date. Most annual flower seeds need 6-8 weeks, while some need 9-12 weeks indoors.
Spacing: Generally, space the seeds about four seed-widths apart from each other. Tiny seeds: 4–6 seeds per cell in a 6-pack container. Medium to Large seeds: 2–3 seeds per cell in a 6-pack or 4-pack.
Depth: Check each packet for sowing depth. Some seeds may need direct light or darkness to germinate. Seeds that require light to germinate will be indicated on packet as “Surface sow.” This means they should not be covered, just pressed lightly into the media and sprinkled with a dusting of fine vermiculite. A few varieties require darkness and should be covered by a sheet of black construction paper until germination.
Cold Stratification: Some varieties may need a period of cold temperatures to break dormancy. Sow in moistened flats with covers or place the seeds between moistened paper towels in sealed plastic bags and refrigerate. If stratifying indoors, do not allow the seeds to dry out or freeze. Follow the packet instructions for temperature and duration. More info on outdoor winter sowing coming soon!
Water: Water in with a gentle spray or mist and create a humid environment by covering flats with a clear lid or dome.
Temperature: A room temperature of 65–75°F is suitable for most varieties. Check the individual packet for temperature needs. Heat mats with a thermostat can raise the temperature of the soil to the desired level in a colder room.
Growing Healthy Seedlings
Remove the Dome: Seedlings need air circulation to stay healthy.
Temperature: For most varieties, lower the daytime temperatures by 10°F to 55–65°F. Check the packet for specific temperature information.
Place Under Bright Light: After your seeds germinate, keep them very close to the lights (about 2–4″ away) keeping the lights on for 16–18 hours a day. Close attention to watering is needed to be sure that seedlings do not dry out.
Water: Water from the bottom to promote deep rooting and prevent the sudden collapse of your seedlings, called damping off, which is associated with surface dampness. Place containers in a tray of water and allow the medium to soak up moisture; as soon as the top has darkened a bit, remove from the water and allow
excess water to drain. Overhead watering is better tolerated as seedlings grow larger.
Fertilizer: Use half strength fertilizer or organic formulations for seedlings every two weeks as over fertilization can cause weak, leggy plants.
Thin Crowded Seedlings: Thickly sown seeds will need thinning with tweezers as soon as they come up. Leave 2–4 plants per cell, depending on seedling size.
Time to Transplant
Potting Up: Wait until seedlings have at least two true leaves. Transplant to slightly larger, individual containers. Handle seedlings carefully, gently pulling by leaves not stems. Potting up to a container that is too big will result in the excess growing media retaining too much moisture, leading to root rot.
Hardening Off: Once your seedlings have filled in their roomier quarters with a healthy root system, it is time to get ready to plant outdoors. Begin hardening seedlings off on a partly to mostly cloudy day by exposing them to outdoor conditions including sunlight, cooler/warmer temperatures, and wind, for a couple of hours at a time over the course of several days, gradually working up to all day and overnight
Planting Out: Transplant into well-prepared, raked soil on a cloudy day—misty weather is ideal. Firm in lightly and water immediately.
Visit Select Seeds website @ www.selectseeds.com to see their online catalog or to order their free print catalog.
KLEIN’S RECIPES OF THE MONTH—These are a selection of relatively simple recipes chosen by our staff. New recipes appear monthly. Enjoy!!
Winter squash is generally available year round at most large grocers and supermarkets and many can be used interchangeably in most recipes, These are a few of our favorite squash soup recipes collected over the past decades.
SQUASH SOUP–A great way to use up a couple kinds of squash all at once. From the Orange Tree Imports Cookbook. Although the recipe lists specific squash, buttercup or hubbard can be substituted.
1 x 2 lb. butternut squash
1 x 2 lb. acorn squash
4 TBS. butter
4 tsp. brown sugar
1 medium onion, thin sliced
2 carrots, cut in half lengthwise (10 baby carrots)
5 cups chicken broth
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground mace
A pinch of cayenne
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut the squash lengthwise, scoop out the seeds and place, face up, in a 9 x 13″ pan. Divide the butter and brown sugar evenly among the cavities. Place the onion and carrots in the pan around the squash. Pour in 1 cup of the broth and a bit of water. Cover with foil and bake for 2 hrs. Cool the squash a bit and scoop the flesh into a food processor. Process till smooth. Put the squash into a soup pot along with the 4 cups broth and the rest of the ingredients. Simmer 10 min. Serves 4.
INDIAN-SPICED SQUASH SOUP–This super-tasty favorite comes to us from Cooking Light magazine.
1 cup chopped onion
4 cloves garlic, peeled
1 x 1 lb. butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/2″ cubes
1 x 8 oz. acorn squash, quartered
2 TBS. olive oil
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 cups water
1 tsp. curry powder
1/2 tsp. garam masala (Indian spice mix found in the spice aisle at all supermarkets)
1/4 tsp. ground red pepper
2 x 14 oz. cans chicken broth
1/4 tsp. coarse salt
6 TBS. Greek yogurt (optional)
2 TBS. honey (optional)
Preheat oven to 500º. In a very large bowl, toss together the onion, garlic, squashes, oil and pepper. Roast at least 30 minutes on a large, rimmed cookie sheet or jelly-roll pan or until the veggies are tender, turning once. Cool 10 minutes. Peel the acorn squash. In a large soup pot, combine the roasted veggies, water, curry powder, garam masala, red pepper and broth. Puree with a handheld immersion blender until smooth. Bring to a boil. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the salt. If desired, combine the yogurt and honey. Serve with the soup. Serves 6.
SQUASH AND KALE SOUP–Unlike so many squash soup recipes, this soup has a savory, rather than sweet, flavor. It comes to us from the Isthmus, November 2009.
1 butternut squash, peeled and cubed (about 4 cups)
2 leeks, sliced
1 bunch kale, chopped
1 TBS. butter
1 TBS. olive oil
6 cups water, broth of choice or a combination
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
nutmeg
roasted seeds (pine nuts, pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds)
Saute the leeks in oil and butter in a soup pot until tender. Add the squash and saute a few minutes. Add the water or broth, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, 25-30 minutes until tender yet a little chunky. Add the chopped kale. Cook 10 minutes until tender, “yet vibrant”. Serve topped with nutmeg and seeds. Delicious with a hearty bread!
SPIKED PUMPKIN SOUP–Think about it . . . bourbon, apple cider and maple syrup all together in this belly-warmer from an issue of Cooking Light magazine.
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 tsp. minced ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
2 cloves minced garlic
1 1/2 cups apple cider
1/3 cup bourbon
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1 x 29 oz. canned pumpkin
1 x 14 oz. can chicken broth
2 cups milk
1 tsp. flour
1/2 tsp.salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
9 TBS. sour cream
3 TBS. chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Heat a Dutch oven on medium-high. Sauté the onion, ginger, cumin and garlic in a little oil until lightly browned. Stir in the cider, bourbon, syrup, pumpkin and broth. Bring to a boil, reduce and simmer 10 minutes. Puree the mixture with a handheld immersion blender until smooth. Stir in the milk, flour, salt and pepper. Heat well, but do not allow the soup to boil, stirring often. Serve, topped with sour cream and parsley. Serves 9.
BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP WITH SHRIMP—A recipe from the pages of Everyday Food.
4 TBS. butter
2 lbs. peeled and deveined shrimp, thawed
2 medium onions, diced
2 TBS. dried sage
1 x 3 lb. butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/2″ cubes
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
6 cups chicken broth
coarse salt
1/2 cup sour cream
In a large Dutch oven, melt 2 TBS. of the butter on medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook until opaque, 6-8 minutes. Set aside in a bowl, covered with foil to keep warm and moist. Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the rest of the butter. Saute the onion together with the sage until tender. Add the squash, cayenne and broth. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer about 20 minutes. Season with salt to taste. Transfer 1/2 of the mixture to a blender. Add the sour cream and blend until smooth. Return back to the pot and stir in the shrimp. Serve hot. Serves 8.
NATURAL NEWS–
Can Plants “Hear” Pollinators?
The following fascinating article appeared a while back in an issue of the American Horticultural Society’s The American Gardener magazine (www.ahsgardening.org/gardening-resources/gardening-publications/the-american-gardener).
“Is it possible that plants can perceive the buzz of nearby pollinators? An experiment performed by a team of researchers at Tel Aviv University in Israel exposed beach evening primrose (Oenothera drummondii) to five different sound stimuli: the recording of a bee from four inches away, silence, and low, intermediate, and high computer-generated frequencies. The results showed that the primroses responded to the bee recording and to the low computer-generated frequencies, both of which cause vibrations similar to those of common pollinators.
Primrose flowers, which are curved much like mammalian ears or a satellite dish, seem well-suited for sensing sound vibrations. Researchers found that within three minutes of exposure to the preferred stimuli, the nectar in the flowers became between 12 and 20 percent sweeter. Bees are capable of sensing even tiny increases in sugar content in nectar, so researchers theorized the plants may be seizing an opportunity to improve the likelihood of pollination. When one or more petals were removed, or a glass jar covered the flower, there was no surge in nectar sweetness.
Reports of the study spread widely in online forums, and some commenters drew parallels between research and pseudoscientific accounts of plants reacting to music or human emotion. The researchers insist, however, that they tested plant response to “ecologically relevant” stimuli. “It would be maladaptive for plants to not use sound for communication,” says Lilach Hadany, the study’s lead researcher.
Learn more about this study at www.hadanylab.com.”
MARCH’S PLANT OF THE MONTH:
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
By Nikki Phipps @ www.gardeningknowhow.com
The spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is considered one of the most adaptable of houseplants and the easiest to grow. This plant can grow in a wide range of conditions and suffers from few problems, other than brown tips. The spider plant is so named because of its spider-like plants, or spiderettes, which dangle down from the mother plant like spiders on a web. Available in green or variegated varieties, these spiderettes often start out as small white flowers.
Caring for spider plants is easy. These tough plants tolerate lots of abuse, making them excellent candidates for newbie gardeners or those without a green thumb. Provide them with well-drained soil and bright, indirect light and they will flourish. Water them well but do not allow the plants to become too soggy, which can lead to root rot. In fact, spider plants prefer to dry out some between waterings.
When caring for spider plants, also take into account that they enjoy cooler temperatures — around 55 to 65 F. (13-18 C.). Spider plants can also benefit from occasional pruning, cutting them back to the base.
Since spider plants prefer a semi-potbound environment, repot them only when their large, fleshy roots are highly visible and watering is difficult. Spider plants can be easily propagated as well through division of the mother plant or by planting the small spiderettes.
As daylight increases in spring, spider plants should begin producing flowers, eventually developing into babies, or spider plant spiderettes. This may not always occur, however, as only mature plants with enough stored energy will produce spiderettes. Spiderettes can be rooted in water or soil, but will generally yield more favorable results and a stronger root system when planted in soil.
Ideally, the best method for rooting spider plant spiderettes is by allowing the plantlet to remain attached to the mother plant. Choose a spiderette and place it in a pot of soil near the mother plant. Keep this well watered and once it roots, you can cut it from the mother plant.
Alternatively, you can cut off one of the plantlets, place it in a pot of soil, and water generously. Place the pot in a ventilated plastic bag and put this in a bright location. Once the spiderette is well rooted, remove from the bag and grow as usual.
If you begin to notice spider plant leaves browning, there’s no need for worry. Browning of leaf tips is quite normal and will not harm the plant. This is often the result of fluoride found in water, which causes salt buildup in the soil. It usually helps to periodically leach plants by giving them a thorough watering to flush out excess salts. Be sure to allow the water to drain out and repeat as needed. It may also help to use distilled water or even rainwater on plants instead of that from the kitchen or outside spigot.
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.
The Canopy Sessions at Olbrich Gardens
Fridays, March 7 & April 11, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Kick off your weekend with a live concert in one of Madison’s most unique spots: the Bolz Conservatory! Immerse yourself in tropical surroundings, soak up the warmth, and enjoy performances by some of the region’s finest musicians.
$12 – General Admission
$10 – Olbrich Member
$6 – Child (Ages 6-12)
FREE – Ages 5 & under
- Event Guidelines
- Bar service available in the Conservatory
- Lobby doors open at 5:30 p.m. Conservatory doors open at 6 p.m.
- This is a strolling concert, so no seating is provided, through there are a few benches in the Conservatory. No carry-in chairs.
- The Canopy Sessions are amplified performances, not acoustic.
- You are encouraged to purchase tickets in-advance online @ Order Tickets. If the concert does not sell out online, remaining tickets will be available at the door.
- For ticket assistance, call Mike Gibson, Program Specialist, at 608-243-0156
- A limited number of reduced fee tickets are available. To request a fee waiver, please contact Mike Gibson, Program Specialist, at mgibson2@cityofmadison.com.
The Canopy Sessions 2025 Schedule:
March 7:
The Spine Stealers—The Spine Stealers are a two-gal duo making “spooky folk” influenced by the north-wood Wisconsin pines, 24/7 truck stop diners, heartbreak and dark lakes. Kate and Emma started learning guitar together around bonfires in their shared hometown during the height of the pandemic, soon writing songs inspired by lonesome winters, the heartaches of nostalgia and broken ideas of love.
April 11:
The Racing Pulses—The Racing Pulses, an alternative rock band from Madison, have been captivating audiences with their energetic performances and intelligent music since 2012. Blending sharp lyrics with dynamic instrumentation, their evolving sound continues to keep audiences buzzing and coming back for more.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
Orchid Sale @ Olbrich Gardens
Saturday, March 8, 11:00-4:00
At the conclusion of Orchid Escape a selection of orchids featured in the Bolz Conservatory will be offered for sale. The orchid pricing is discounted to reflect the usage in the one-month exhibit. Some orchids will be out of bloom post exhibit.
Early Bird Shopping
Opens at 10:00 AM
Access the sale before the public by purchasing an early bird ticket for $25, available online or in-person at the Gardens. Early bird shoppers can starting lining up to enter sale area in the Commons at 10:00 a.m. The sale opens to the public at 11:00 a.m.
Visit https://www.olbrich.org/calendar/orchid-sale for event details.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
Nature Hike @ the Arboretum
Sunday, March 9, 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
Nature Hike @ the Arboretum
Sunday, March 16, 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
Mud Season @ the Arboretum
Sunday, March 16, 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. 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
Spring Equinox @ the Arboretum
Wednesday, March 19, 6:30 pm – 8:00 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. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. Free, register through Eventbrite by March 15: uw-madison-arboretum.eventbrite.com. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Class: Phenology – Keeping Track of Nature @ the Arboretum
Saturday, March 22, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
The March equinox is the perfect time to think about spring unfolding. Phenology – noting the periodic occurrences in the natural world – is both art and science, practiced for millennia across cultures and regions. Learn about different approaches and maybe find your own. Instructor: Kathy Miner, Arboretum naturalist. Indoor class. Fee: $20. Register by March 18 @ https://arboretum.wisc.edu/classes/phenology-keeping-track-of-nature-2025/ . Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Scenic Stroll @ the Arboretum
Sunday, March 23, 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, March 30, 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
Dane County Late Winter Farmer’s Market
Saturdays, January 4 thru April 5, 8:00-noon
The Garver Feed Mill behind Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3241 Garver Green (access off Fair Oaks Ave.)
The Late Winter Market runs each Saturday from January 4th until the beginning of the outdoor season. Get your market fix all year long. You will still find many of your favorite Dane County Farmers’ Market members, as well as a full array of fruits and vegetables, cheeses, hyper-local meats, honey, bakery items, and many specialty items.
For details visit www.dcfm.org
MARCH IN THE GARDEN–A checklist of things to do this month.
___Pinch back over wintered geraniums one last time. Root cuttings if needed.
___Check perennials for heaving during warm spells. Re-mulch as needed.
___Check for early spring bloomers like crocus, winter aconite & hellebores.
___Begin uncovering roses by month’s end.
___Continue bringing out your cooled forced bulbs for indoor enjoyment.
___Inspect stored summer bulbs like dahlias, cannas and glads for rotting.
___Check for and treat for pests on plants brought in from the garden.
___Keep bird feeders full. Clean periodically with soap and water.
___Keep birdbaths full and clean for the return of the first robins & other arrivals.
___Repair and clean out birdhouses. Early arrivals will be here soon!
___Inventory last year’s leftover seeds before ordering or buying new ones.
___Seed starting is in full swing: petunias, tomatoes, peppers and cole crops.
___Sterilize seed starting equipment and pots with a 1:16 bleach solution.
___Shop for summer bulbs like gladiolas, lilies and dahlias.
___Remove mulch & rodent protection (chicken wire) from tulip and crocus beds
___Use the winter days to plan next summer’s garden.
___March is the month to prune most fruit trees and apply dormant oil.
___Prune late summer and fall blooming shrubs.
___Do not prune spring blooming shrubs like lilacs, forsythia or viburnum.
___Begin bringing in branches for forcing: pussy willow, forsythia, quince, etc.
___As the days lengthen and new growth occurs, increase fertilizing houseplants
___Check your garden for any plant damage from weather or rodents.
___Ready the lawn mower—just a few weeks to go.
___Visit Klein’s—the showrooms are filling up with spring annuals. Pansies, violas, calendula, cole crops & onion sets become available by month’s end.
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.comor 860/567-0838
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 MARCH:
—Transplanting is in full swing on the transplanting line in our back greenhouses.
Employees work 8-10 hour shifts planting thousands of plugs and tiny seedlings into the cell packs you purchase in the spring. Once planted, the flats move by conveyor and then monorail into the various greenhouses, all kept at different temperatures depending on the plant.
—The greenhouses and showrooms are filling fast with thousands of hanging
and potted plants. We’re constantly moving product around, trying to make the best use of space.
—By the end of the month we’re moving product outside into hoop houses. We move product that is very cold tolerant, such as pansies, dianthus, dusty miller, alyssum and even petunias. The cold keeps them compact and pest free and hardens them off for the transition outside. We also need the room in our ever-filling greenhouses.
—Perennial plugs and bare roots arrive and are stepped up into 3 1/2″, quart and gallon sizes. Our perennials are grown quite cold so they invest their energy into rooting out, rather than growing. Plants remain compact. Any remaining perennials from last season are moved outdoors from an unheated greenhouse.
—Geraniums are pinched and shaped for the last time by the first week of the
month. Any later pinching will delay blooming too much for spring sales.
—Retail items are arriving nonstop for unpacking and pricing, everything from
garden ornaments and pottery to pesticides and fertilizers.
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
Yelp, Google Reviews or Facebook Reviews
Follow Klein’s on Facebook where we post updates and photos on a regular basis.
Join Klein’s on Twitterwhere 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 $9.95 for Madison, Maple Bluff, Monona and Shorewood Hills; $10.95 for Cottage Grove, DeForest, Fitchburg, McFarland, Sun Prairie, Waunakee and Windsor; and $11.95 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 Somson 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
http://www.plantpath.wisc.edu/index.php
Insect Diagnostic Lab
240 Russell Labs
1630 Linden Dr.
Madison, WI 53706
http://www.entomology.wisc.edu/
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)
also http://www.mailordergardening.com/
Invasive Species
http://www.invasiveplants.net/
Community Groundworks
3601 Memorial Dr., Ste. 4
Madison, WI 53704
608/240-0409
http://www.communitygroundworks.org
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
http://www.allencentennialgardens.org/
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
http://www.cals.wisc.edu/westmad/
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