‘THE SAGE’-Klein’s Online Newsletter—MAY 2026
Klein’s Floral & Greenhouses
3758 E. Washington Ave.
Madison, WI 53704
608/244-5661 or [email protected]
THIS MONTH’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Our 2026 Spring Plant List Is Now Online
Extended Spring Hours Through Fathers’ Day, June 14
Jenny’s Custom Outdoor Containers by Design Are Now Available
Don’t Forget Mom This May 10!
Free Houseplant Potting Service @ Klein’s
Our ‘Mad Gardener‘ and ‘Houseplant Help‘ Are Ready for Your Questions
Klein’s Favorite Seed, Bulb & Plant Sources
It’s Asparagus Planting Time!
Organic Deer Control for Your Garden
You Asked about a Rhubarb Problem
We Reuse Your Teal-colored 5″ Klein’s Pots
Product Spotlight: Organic Fertilizers and Plant Foods from True Organic™
Plant of the Month: Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
Klein’s Favorite Fresh Egg Recipes
Notes from Rick’s Garden Journal—From April 2026
—Companion Planting: Fact or Folklore
—Seedlings Can Benefit from a Daily Brushing
—The Move Is On
May 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
May
“When you take a flower in your hand
and really look at it, it’s your
world for the moment. I want to give
that world to someone else.”—Georgia O’Keefe
OUR 2026 SPRING PLANT LISTcan be viewed on-line beginning by clicking on Spring Plants or at the top of our website home page under the the “Greenhouses” dropbox. This comprehensive listing contains every plant that Klein’s will be offering at some time during the 2026 season and is extremely helpful for both the home gardener and landscaper alike. The list contains fun facts, cultural information and pot or pack size for each item and comes in very handy in planning your garden this spring.
***Please note the disclaimers and added notes at the beginning of each section***
JENNY’S CUSTOM PLANTER SERVICE
We’re thrilled to offer again this season our Custom Planter Service—designed with your unique space and style in mind! Whether you’re looking to enhance your home, office, or outdoor area, Jenny and crew will handle everything from plant selection to design and planting.
Bring in your empty containers, and we’ll create something beautiful for you! Leave the mess here—we’ll take care of everything.
Our custom planter service will will end June 6th!
Fill out this form to get started today!
KLEIN’S ANNUAL LADIES’ NIGHT IS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10…
We love supporting local women-owned businesses!
Interested in being a vendor at our annual Ladies Night at Klein’s?
Join us: Wednesday, June 10 3–6 pm
Right here at Klein’s
Spots are limited—reach out to learn more!
[email protected]
FOR NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS OR GARDEN TOURSthat you would like posted on our web site or in our monthly newsletters, please contact Rick at (608) 244-5661 or [email protected]. 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.
WE STERILIZE AND REUSE YOUR TEAL-COLORED 5″ KLEIN’S POTS
Due to costs, we are unable to reuse most plastic pots and trays and never those from other retailers. But we are happy to take back and reuse the teal-colored 5″ Klein’s pots and their accompanying trays. Simply bring in your cleaned out pots and trays and drop them off with the associates at the checkout counters or in the bin along the building. We ask that you recycle or dispose of all other pots, containers and trays in compliance with your municipality’s guidelines. We do not reuse the plant identification tags.
THE MAD GARDENER
Madison’s Firsthand Source for Expert Gardening Advice
Ask any of your gardening questions by e-mailing them to us at [email protected]. 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 [email protected] 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.
MAY STORE HOURS:
Again during the 2026 spring season, Klein’s will open at 7:00 a.m. every Tuesday! Year long, Tuesday is Klein’s Senior Discount Day. On Tuesdays those 62 and over save an extra 5% off all regular priced items. Beginning Tuesday, April 28, we open the doors an hour early. Avoid the lines and shop early! The extended Tuesday hours last through mid-June.
Monday thru Friday : 9:00-7:00 (Open Tuesdays at 7:00)
Saturday: 9:00-6:00
Sunday: 9:00-5:00
Open Memorial Day, May 25, 9:00-5:00
Extended spring hours run through Father’s Day, Sunday, June 14.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
May 1–Full Moon
May 10–This is Madison’s average last frost date, but keep your eye on the weather before planting. Madison has a notorious reputation for late May frosts. Many local old-time gardeners refuse to plant, especially their tomatoes, peppers, morning glories, etc. until Memorial Day weekend when the soil has warmed properly. Novice gardeners have a tendency to plant too early!
May 10–Mother’s Day. Order early and shop early!!! Mother’s Day is second only to Valentine’s Day for deliveries and the Saturday before Mother’s Day is traditionally our busiest day of the entire year. Extra drivers will be on the road Saturday, May 10 for prompt and efficient service. Click on Delivery Information at the top of our home page for more details about Klein’s delivery. Because this is our busiest day of the year in the greenhouse, will not be delivering on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10.
May 23—Container Garden Design Class @ Klein’s, 10:00-11:00. Container gardens are an easy way to add color to your doorstep, patio, window frames or as focal points throughout the garden. They’re fun to make and easy to maintain and a great way to get outdoors and enjoy the wonderful spring weather! Cost is $60. Call Klein’s for details.
Pre-Registration is requested, please use the link below to signup as space is limited!
May 25–Memorial Day-the unofficial beginning of summer! Store Hours: 9-5:00
May 31–Blue Moon….Madison’s second full moon in a month!
‘THE FLOWER SHOPPE’:
The weekend of Mother’s Day is THE busiest time of the year at Klein’s, far surpassing even Valentine’s Day. The showrooms bustle with not only shoppers looking for that perfect Mother’s Day gift, but also gardeners with cartloads of annuals, vegetables, perennials, seeds and garden supplies. Our retail cooler is filled to the brim with stunning spring arrangements for mom and buckets of loose cut flowers to create your own at home. An array of beautiful blooming plants makes your selection even more difficult.
Avoid the rush by shopping early. Call us 608/244-5661 to talk to one of our designers personally or order on line @ Klein’s Floral Delivery
Klein’s has it all for mom—”one-stop shopping” for floral arrangements, gorgeous hanging baskets and patio pots, interesting and whimsical garden ornaments or the ever-appreciated gift certificate.
Extra drivers will be on the road Friday and Saturday, May 8 & 9 for prompt and efficient service. Visit Delivery Information for more details about Klein’s delivery. We do not deliver on Sunday, May 10.
YOU ASKED. . .
Something is destroying my rhubarb from the ground. I moved it, brought in new stock and used neem oil for a year. If I put the neem oil on EVERY DAY the plants did fine. Miss a couple of days and the canes all were ruined from down low. What can I use that will end this violence against my lovely plants!? Karen
The following seem to be the most common issues found online based on your description and common problems in our area. I reached out to a coworker and they concurred.
“Rhubarb curculio and stem borer represent the two main insect pests of rhubarb. Both insects bore into stalks and tunnel into the crown and root system. This damage also is a pathway for entry for crown rots. Infested plants should be destroyed. Also, wild dock, a close relative of rhubarb, growing in the area must be destroyed since it can harbor these insects as well.”
Control is pesticide applications (anything that controls borers) applied diligently for a few weeks early in the spring when damage begins…exactly what you seem to be doing.
Thanks for your question,
[email protected], [email protected]
DID YOU KNOW. . .
. . . that now is the perfect time to plant bareroot asparagus and so much more into your vegetable garden?
Asparagus: The vegetable is usually planted in mid April or early May when soil temperatures are around 50-60°F. It prefers full sun (six to eight hours) in a soil with good drainage and a slightly alkaline soil pH, which is great for southern Wisconsin, since most of our soils are alkaline. If you have sandy soil, I suggest getting a soil test, since some sandy soils are more acid. You can get one through the UW Soils Lab. They are located in Madison. Contact them for a soil testing kit at 608-262-4364 or visit their website @ Soil Testing for Homeowners.
Asparagus is planted as 1-year-old “crowns” (bareroot plants with buds at the top) in trenches about 6 inches deep and wide enough to accommodate the full length of the roots when spread out, plus a couple of more inches to give them extra space to spread. Space plants about 18 inches apart. Fill in the trench with soil; research indicates it can all be done at once instead of a little at a time. If planting more than one row, space the rows 4 feet apart.
Male plants yield 1.5 to 2 times as many spears as female cultivars since they don’t expend energy on producing fruits. Some popular male cultivars are “Jersey Knight” (available @ Klein’s), “Jersey Prince,” “Jersey Gem” or the Canadian hybrid “Teissen.”
Don’t harvest spears the first year. You can harvest lightly the second year; research shows it stimulates more spears to form. Harvest when spears are 8 to 10 inches tall. You can snap them off near the base. The full harvest season is about six weeks; stop when spears are about pencil diameter. Leave at least some ferns standing in fall (you can cut them back about halfway) as research has shown this helps protect the crowns over winter.
Vegetable seeding: It should be safe around April 15 or so to plant seeds of certain cool-season crops, as well as onion sets and seed potatoes, directly outside in your garden beds if the soil has been worked up and is ready for planting. You may also now plant out seedlings of spinach, chard, mustards, kale and lettuce that you started inside, but you will need to cover them if frost is predicted. Seeds of crops like carrots, peas, turnips, radishes and beets should be planted outside instead of started indoors. If you plant too early, or in cold wet soil, seeds are likely to rot instead of germinating. That’s where an inexpensive soil thermometer that you can purchase at your local garden center or online can be really handy, because Mother Nature does not always run on calendar dates. Even though the date may seem right, the soil temperatures may not be.
Seed potatoes need a minimum soil temperature of 40°F to sprout. Beets, carrots, radishes, lettuce and spinach all need a minimum soil temperature of 45°F to germinate. Snow peas and sugar snap peas need a minimum temperature of 50°F to germinate. Temperatures are likely to fluctuate a lot for a while yet, so even if it is very warm for several days, remember that the weather often self-corrects and becomes cold again, so watch the weather reports for frost predictions.
Lisa Johnson, Dane County UW-Extension Horticulture Educator
Source: madison.com
Asparagus roots, bareroot strawberries, seed potatoes, onion sets and much more are located in coolers near our checkouts. Visit our website @ Klein’s Fruits & Veggies 2026 for available varieties.
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.
Organic Fertilizers and Plant Foods from True Organic™
“Replenishing the Soil Replenishes Us All…Good for Your Garden…Good for You”
How do you grow plants with blooming vitality, and fruits and vegetables bursting with flavor and nutritional value? It all begins with the best premium quality inputs.
Why Use True Organic™?
Trusted—For two decades, our parent company True Organic Products has been supplying organic fertilizer to some of America’s biggest organic farms. We’ve applied our agricultural expertise and knowledge as the worldwide leader in innovative fertilizers and packaged it for your backyard.
Tested—True’s commitment to your safety is unsurpassed. We invest more in R&D than any of our competitors, exceeding industry requirements for clean sourcing and testing for pathogens. Our expert team, staffed with PhDs in agronomy, microbiology, and farming, is constantly innovating to create better, more effective offerings as we search the world for raw materials that are healthier for people and planet.
Transparent—You deserve to know what you buy. That’s why we manufacture all our products in house and spell out each ingredient in our premium blends. From seabird guano and poultry manure to soy bean and fish bone meal, what you see is what you get – with a healthy helping of independent certifications to prove their benefit in growing plants that are both beautiful and bountiful.
True—We specialize in one thing: manufacturing the highest quality, ethically sourced organic plant foods and fertilizers, true to the way nature intended. We’re a group of people passionate about sustainability. In the face of climate change and biodiversity loss, replenishing our soil can play a vital role in sequestering carbon, improving water retention, and enhancing soil fertility. Because the more we give the soil, the more it gives back to us – with results you can see and taste.
True Organic offers more ethically-sourced, certified premium organic content than any plant food sold today – to regenerate the soil and produce healthier fruits and vegetables, from garden to table.
Klein’s offers the following True Organic™ products:
All-Purpose Plant Food—For abundant organic fruits, flowers, vegetables, herbs, and foliage.
Tomato & Vegetable Food—For more nutritious and tasty tomatoes and vegetables.
Raised Bed Food—Use in raised beds to grow abundant organic fruits, flowers, vegetables, herbs, and foliage.
Berry Food— For more nutritious and tasty berries, including blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries that thrive in a low pH soil; also great for other acid-loving plants.
Blood Meal—Supports luscious foliage, gives plants a quick boost for healthy growth and builds the long-term wellness of your soil.
Bone Meal—High in calcium to help plants build strong cell walls and grow robust roots.
Garden Lime—Garden Lime makes soil less acidic, raising the pH level. This is ideal for turning hydrangeas pink.
Soil Acidifier—Soil Acidifier lowers pH of soil to encourage growth of acid-loving plants, raising the pH level. Ideal for turning hydrangeas blue.
Preplant Starter—Use before planting to supply essential nutrients to delicate seedlings and young starts. Helps ensure successful planting and vigorous establishment above and below the ground. OMRI Listed®. Use monthly.
Liquid All-Purpose Plant Food—For abundant organic fruits, flowers, vegetables, herbs, and foliage.
Liquid Bloom Boost—Use in garden beds and containers to promote flowers and fruit.
Liquid Preplant Starter—Supplies essential nutrients to delicate seedlings and young starts, helping to ensure successful planting and vigorous establishment above and below the ground.
Liquid Tomato & Vegetable Food—For more nutritious and tasty tomatoes and vegetables.
Visit the True Organic™ website @ trueorganic.earth/ for detailed product information.
NOTES FROM MY GARDEN JOURNAL–Tips and Observations from My Own Garden by Rick Halbach
ENTRY: APRIL 11, 2026 (Companion Planting: Fact or Folklore)
I came across an old article from American Gardener magazine this morning which reminded me of another article I had archived years back from the Mother Earth News website @ www.motherearthnews.com by Barbara Pleasant about companion planting.
Companion Planting with Flowers and Vegetables
Each spring, I grow legions of onions and shallots from seed, and my biggest challenge is keeping them weeded. Last year, I planted pinches of arugula between the short rows of shallots, and the leafy, fast-growing arugula smothered any weeds and showed remarkably little damage from flea beetles, which often plague it. The arugula was ready to harvest just when the shallots needed room to grow. In a eureka moment, I realized I had discovered a vegetable companion-planting partnership I could use year after year to make my garden healthier and more productive.
The idea of “companion planting” has been around for thousands of years, during which time it has become so besmirched with bad science and metaphysics that many gardeners aren’t sure what it means. The current definition goes something like this: Companion planting is the establishment of two or more species in close proximity so that some cultural benefit, such as pest control or increased yield, may be achieved.
Historically, North American and European gardeners have based many of their attempts with companion planting on widely published charts, which were mostly derived from funky chemistry experiments using plant extracts in the 1930s. But it turns out many of the plant partnerships listed in these “traditional” companion-planting charts don’t actually work well. Reaping the benefits of companion planting is possible, though, as long as you look to time-tested crop combinations.
Companion Crop Combinations
In North America, Native American tribes from the Northeast to the Southwest developed highly specialized intercropping techniques to grow the “three sisters” — corn, pole beans and squash. (There is a fourth sister, sunflower, but she didn’t make it into the early stories.) Three sisters gardens vary in shape, size and planting style (raised mounds in the East and North, recessed waffle beds in the Southwest). The three (or four) sisters technique works because the crops cooperate rather than compete with each other for light and root space. The corn supports the bean vines, the squash shades out weeds, and the roots of the different plants get along nicely below ground.
But what about all of the other vegetables you want to grow? An experienced gardener from China wouldn’t be surprised by my success with onions and arugula, because intercropping of vegetables is the traditional way to garden in China’s most fertile regions. Plant associations that work well are shared among neighbors, as everyone has learned that intercropping is more efficient, reduces weed and pest pressure, and lowers the risk of crop failure. Chinese intercropping practices use a broad range of crops, which makes them easy to replicate in a diversified organic garden.
Agricultural researchers have noted that the paired plants in Chinese intercropping practices usually differ in height, maturation period and rooting habit. In addition, many gardeners in China grow the following intercropped vegetables back-to-back during the course of the growing season:
—Onions with leafy vegetables, followed by green beans and Chinese cabbage or spinach
—Potatoes with leafy vegetables, followed by green beans and Chinese cabbage or spinach
—Spring kale with radishes, followed by celery and tomatoes
—Spring spinach, followed by lima beans and tomatoes
—Double rows of corn alternated with single rows of peppers
—A double row of garlic with spinach down the center
—Strawberries with watermelon
Using Plants to Manage Pests and Weeds
Some gardeners use companion planting to deter all manner of garden pests, such as planting hedges of marigolds to deter rabbits or using rattail radishes to confuse squash vine borers. In our online Pest Control Survey, the gardeners who reported the most success with companion planting to discourage pests used a single technique: “growing tons of flowers,” with borage, calendula, dill, sweet alyssum, and herbs such as basil, garlic chives and oregano named most frequently.
Several scientific studies have confirmed these and other flowering plants help reduce pest problems, particularly if your garden is troubled by early-season aphids or other small sucking insects, which are primary food sources for hoverfly larvae. Hoverflies are active, early-season aphid predators (before aphid-eating ladybeetles take over later in the season). Scientists have found that hovering in midair requires so much energy that hoverflies tend to stick close to nectar sources, so if you lure them in with the right plants, they’re likely to stay all summer. Cilantro (coriander) and fennel flowers are strong hoverfly attractants, as are Greek oregano, sweet alyssum, and many other herbs and flowers.
You can also use companion planting to draw the attention of birds, which eat a wide variety of garden insects. In a recent study conducted at four organic farms in Florida, sunflowers interplanted with collard greens, kale, summer squash, tomatoes and five other vegetable crops doubled the number of insect-eating birds that visited the garden plots. The birds used the sunflowers as hunting perches, then hopped down to feed on cabbageworms, grasshoppers and other small insects, including flea beetles. Could there be an easier, more beautiful way to reduce pest problems before they start?
Finally, one of the finest benefits of finding plant associations that work well for your garden is using them to keep weeds under control. Slower-growing, upright plants (such as onions and parsnips) can be nursed along with companion crops of baby greens, which are much more rewarding to pull than weeds. In some situations, however, even weeds may become desirable companion plants. Several readers have reported using redroot pigweed as a trap crop for cucumber beetles and Mexican bean beetles. In some locations, wild mustards can work as trap crops for flea beetles in spring.
Companion planting for pest control purposes deserves close scrutiny and the willingness to trust your own experience over what you read in books. Planting basil with tomatoes sounds good, but the pairing does little to deter tomato hornworms (its intended purpose), and the basil eventually suffers from light deprivation. The combination also fails below ground, where the two plants grow on the same schedule and therefore take up nutrients at the same time. Radishes and cilantro may be wiser choices as pals for your tomatoes, because each make a quick crop before the tomatoes need more space, and a few radish or cilantro plants can be left behind to attract beneficial insects as they flower.
Measuring Success
Agricultural researchers use a simple formula called the land equivalent ratio (LER) to measure the overall success of intercropped plantings. The LER balances space and production costs with yields. For example, cauliflower is a slow-growing crop that needs a lot of space, so it has an LER of 1. But if you grow lettuce between cauliflower plants (as researchers did in a recent study in Pakistan), the LER per square foot will rise significantly. Space planted with a dominant crop (broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes) and a companion crop (lettuce, radicchio or sorrel) will almost always have a higher LER than space with a crop grown by itself.
Some gardeners grow companion plants in adjacent rows, and sweet corn is a champ in this role because of its ability to provide filtered shade to neighboring plants. In China, crowder peas, green beans and peppers are all popular crops to sandwich between rows of corn. In many hot climates, corn grown along the south side of potatoes provides shade in hot weather, which helps keep the soil cool and moist while the potatoes are making their crop.
Working with companion plants requires experimenting in your own garden, using the crops your family likes best, and allowing for an increase in leafy greens because they are such versatile companion plants. (A couple of chickens or rabbits will gladly feast on whatever your family can’t use.) Gardeners sometimes say the plants in good intercropping associations “just seem happy” — a worthy goal for any organic gardener.
* * * * *
ENTRY: APRIL 16, 2026 (Seedlings Can Benefit from a Daily Brushing)
Seedlings started indoors tend to be weaker than those that sprout outside in the garden. Indoor seedlings tend to be taller and more tender, even if grown in strong light. The difference is the absence of wind—as wind shakes outdoor seedlings, their stems become stronger and their growth remains stocky.
Indoors, you can re-create the effect of the blowing wind by “brushing” your seedlings. Brush a folded piece of paper across the tops of small seedlings, quickly but gently bending them to horizontal and letting them pop up again. Do this twice a day for about a minute. As seedlings get larger, you can use your hand instead of the paper. A fan blowing over your seedlings will have much the same effect, but will dry out your seedlings much quicker. That said, using fans can also aid in protecting your young seedlings from fungus gnat infestations.
In studies, seedlings that were brushed had smaller, darker leaves that grew closer together than those of seedlings that were not brushed. There is also evidence that seedlings that were brushed acclimate to the outdoors quicker and suffer less transplant shock.
Source: Horticulture Magazine @ www.hortmag.com
* * * * *
ENTRY: APRIL 26, 2026 (The Move Is On)
YAY! It’s time to start clearing the plants out of the basement! Some of those coleus and geranium cuttings have been down there under shop lights since last September and I don’t think they can take the lack of fresh air and sunshine much longer! My new seedlings are right at the point where natural light, cool night temps and the wind will prevent them from becoming leggy. The time is right to get almost everything outside. The forecast for the upcoming week looks great, with daytime highs in the 60’s and overnight lows for the most part in the 40’s.
The first bit of prep work is to free up space in the garage. The pickup truck is gonna spend the next few weeks outside. The garage is the perfect place to acclimate the plants for a life in the big outdoors. I’ve already set up a few card tables just inside the garage door. As I bring my flats of seedlings from the basement, they spend their first few days on those tables. Being just inside the garage, the young plants receive ample natural light, but are protected from full sun or the wind. Each evening I close the garage door to protect them from the still very cool nights. After a few days have passed, I move the seedlings outside to full sun (or shade depending on the plant requirement) ready to move them back inside the garage for exceptionally cold nights or in the event of a thunderstorm. By May 10, my annuals and vegetables will be fully acclimated and ready for planting in my beds and containers.
As for my overwintered plants; I first place them in a shady and protected spot for a few days. After they’ve been outside for a while, I gradually move them to spots that fit their light requirements. Again, I need to be prepared to move them to the garage during cold snaps or to protect them from strong winds or hail.
KLEIN’S RECIPES OF THE MONTH—These are a selection of relatively simple recipes chosen by our staff. New recipes appear monthly. Enjoy!!
Now that winter is over (!) and the days are long, local hens are laying enforce; providing consumers with an abundance of locally produced, farm-fresh eggs. The following are some of Klein’s favorite recipes to use up our supply of eggs. Enjoy!
BAKED EGGS—No standing at the stove for this crowd pleaser! Eggs are light and fluffy and always perfectly done!! This is a family favorite.
12 eggs
1 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cups milk (Unsweetened soy milk works just fine.)
1/4 cup butter
Add-ins: Choose from chopped onions, chopped green pepper, chopped ham, chopped turkey, crumbled cooked bacon, cheese, herbs of choice.
Preheat the oven to 375º. Meanwhile, beat together the eggs, salt, milk and add-ins of choice. Place the butter in a 9″ square baking dish and allow to melt in the hot oven. Once melted, pour in the egg mixture. Bake 15 minutes, remove from the oven and stir, bringing the cooked parts into the center. Return to the oven and bake an addition 10 minutes. Eggs will rise above the baking dish. The center should be set and the edges well-cooked. Serves 6-8
For a larger crowd, this recipe doubles easily. Simply use a 9×13″ baking dish and add 5 minutes to EACH cooking time.
FRITTATA—This recipe has been made for many a family breakfast and company get-togethers over the years. Originally appeared in Better Homes & Gardens magazine in December 1997. A tried & true favorite!
1 1/2 cups potatoes in 1/2″ cubes
1 TBS. vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups (8 oz.) chopped cooked ham
3/4 cup shredded cheddar
8 lightly beaten eggs
1/3 cup molk
1 x 4 oz. can diced green chiles
1/4 cup chopped green onion
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 of a 7 oz. jar roasted red peppers cut into thin strips
1 1/2 cups salsa of choice
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
shredded parmesan (optional)
Preheat the oven to 350º. In a 10″ oven safe cast iron skillet, cook the potatoes in hot oil, uncovered, over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cover and cook 5 minutes more until tender, stirring just once. Sprinkle the ham and half of the cheddar over the potatoes. In a mixing bowl, lightly beat the eggs and stir in the milk, chiles, green onion, oregano and salt. Pour into the skillet over the potatoes. Arrange the pepper strips in a spoke-like fashion on the top. Bake, uncovered for about 30 minutes until the center is set and a knife comes out clean. Sprinkle the top with the remaining cheese. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Meanwhile in a saucepan, stir together the salsa and cilantro and heat through. Cut the frittata into wedges and serve with the warm salsa and parmesan if desired. Serves 4-6.
ZUCCHINI RICE QUICHE—Yet another decades old family favorite passed down over the years.
1 TBS. butter
1 large onion (1 cup), chopped
2 cloves minced garlic
1 cup coarsely chopped mushrooms
2 cups chopped zucchini
1 chopped tomato
2 cups cooked rice
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
pepper to taste
2 egg whites
3 large eggs
2/3 cup cottage cheese
1/4 cup milk
1/3 cup parmesan, divided
several dashes cayenne pepper to taste
Preheat the oven to 350º. In a large saucepan, melt the butter and saute the onion and garlic for one minute. Add the mushrooms and zucchini and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the tomato, rice, basil, oregano, pepper and cayenne. In a small bowl, beat together the egg whites and whole eggs. Mix in the cottage cheese, milk and 2 TBS. parmesan. Stir into the veggie mixture. Pour the mixture into a greased 10″ pie plate. Sprinkle with remaining parmesan. Bake 25-30 minutes until set. Allow to stand 10 minutes before slicing. Serves 6.
BAGEL, LOX AND EGG STRATA—A delicious make-ahead recipe from Better Homes & Gardens.
1/4 cup butter, melted
8 cups plain bagels cut into bite size pieces (4-6 bagels)
1 x 3 oz. package thinly sliced lox-style smoked salmon, cut into pieces
2 cups shredded Swiss or Monterey jack cheese
1/4 cup snipped fresh chives
8 beaten eggs
2 cups milk
1 cup cottage cheese
1/4 tsp. pepper
Place the butter in a glass 9×13″ baking dish and spread to cover the bottom. Spread bagel pieces evenly into the dish. Sprinkle the bagels with the lox, cheese and chives. In a large bowl, combine the beaten eggs, milk, cottage cheese and pepper. Pour over the bagels and lox. Press down gently with the back of a wooden spoon to moisten all ingredients. Cover and chill for 4-24 hours. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350º. Bake, uncovered, about 45 minutes or until set and the edges are puffed and golden. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Serves 12.
COMPANY FRENCH TOAST—The entire family loves this recipe that appeared in the Wisconsin State Journal.
1 x 8-10 oz. loaf French bread cut into 1″ thick slices
5 beaten eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 TBS. vanilla extract
1 x 20 oz. bag frozen whole strawberries
4 medium ripe bananas
2/3 cup sugar
1 TBS apple pie spice (McCormick’s, Durkee, Penzey’s)
Cinnamon sugar
Place bread in a 9×13″ pan. Combine the eggs, milk, baking powder and vanilla. Pour over the bread, cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, preheat the oven to 450º. In a large bowl, mix together the still frozen strawberries, bananas, sugar and apple pie spice. Place this mixture in another 9×13″ pan coated with cooking spray. Top the fruit with the soaked bread. Sprinkle the top with cinnamon sugar. Bake 25-30 minutes until very golden. Makes 8 slices.
NATURAL NEWS–
Organic Deer Control for Your Garden
Keep deer away from your gardens without hurting them or using pesticides that hurt your garden
By Theresa Rooney for www.motherearthnews.com
Deer are mostly crepuscular or nocturnal—active at dawn and dusk, though they will often be active all night as well. During the day, they usually reside in protected shady areas, bed down, and stay quiet. When we understand the times of day they are most active, we can be more aware and watch for them.
Deer and auto crashes are common and cause millions of dollars in insurance claims each year. Because of the closer interaction of deer and human communities we have also seen an increase in Lyme disease and other diseases. (Due also to a better understanding, diagnosis, and reporting of the disease.) Lyme is transmitted by the deer tick, now known as the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, which is found on the deer and in their territory.
Deer are herd animals that have lost most natural predators. We have taken over much of the places they used to live and they have graciously allowed us to do so and try to live with us. They find our manicured landscapes, filled with tasty plants and free of many predators—except cars—to be quite acceptable. We have made many of our neighborhoods perfect deer habitats.
Deer usually travel their territory on specific trails at specific times. They keep the same schedule most of the time, so if you can disrupt their daily visit to your yard or garden they may bypass your area and bother others instead.
If you know where they enter your property, consider adding a fence there. It can be a sturdy 8-foot-tall fence or it can be a simple 5- to 7-foot temporary fence of deer netting. This netting is monofilament line (like fishing line), usually black in color, with 3/4- to 1-inch squares. From a few feet away, it is not very visible. Since deer will not see it easily, they bump into it with their sensitive noses. Not seeing it clearly or being able to know what it is may be enough to cause them to change their route, as is the uncertainty of running into it on “their” path. They may also break through it but, because it is temporary, it can be put up again.
If you have a larger open area where deer may enter, use a permaculture response. Plant a hedgerow of plants. Permaculture (a combination of “permanent” and “agriculture”) is a way of gardening that looks at the whole system and all the parts and activities involved in that system. It is a way of working with nature and using what we learn to garden more easily—for example, “stacking” plant functions so that every plant creates more than one useful benefit. When using permaculture there is no waste, energy is recycled again and again, small changes are made when needed, and observation is important. While there is a lot that goes into this, basically it is working with nature and harnessing the systems of energy in nature to create a more sustainable and resilient outdoor space.
Animals are part of the whole picture and if you have an issue with deer you can consider what and how and where you plant to direct the deer around your yard. A deer-deterring hedgerow can be done in a number of ways. One way is to plant sacrificial plants on the outside of the hedge. The deer will eat these and be on their way. Plant thickly so they can’t walk through the hedge. Plant your desired plants on the inside of the hedge. You can also plant thorny plants, such as raspberries or native plums, on the outside of the hedge. The deer may or may not eat them and, when planted closely, will not push through them. You can, if you want, also install a fence as an additional barrier between these two plants’ lines. It only needs to be 4 or 5 feet tall. Deer are prey animals and rely on their senses of sight and smell to keep them safe. If they can’t see through the area, they are unlikely to push through it—there could be a wolf, coyote, or other predator in there!
Of course, you can always plant plants’ the deer don’t eat—but if they are hungry enough they will graze on just about anything. By using what you know about the deer and their habits, you can gently redirect them away from your yard.
Another option is to create a hammock of bird netting or deer fencing that is just above the hostas, or other targeted plants, as they grow. As the deer lower their heads to snack on your plants, their noses hit the fencing instead and they don’t get to the plants. If you leave this netting up during autumn when the leaves fall, they may fall in the netting, making it easier to toss them into the compost or grass to be cut with your mulching mower rather than raking the hosta beds.
If you are not certain the damage is from deer, here are some signs:
• Deer usually pull plants out of the ground while eating them. This is common in newly planted plants.
• On shrubs and trees, the damage will have a shredded look to the cuts/ bites. It will also be at deer height, rather than lower and clipped neatly as it would be with rabbit damage.
• You may also find deer droppings or evidence of them bedding down for the night or day.
You can use the deer’s sense of smell against them by using repellents that feature strong-smelling ingredients. Deer learn to live in an urban environment and get used to human smells, so change it up. Use garlic for a while, then rotten eggs, then switch to a more chemical smell or fragrant bar soap. Urine from wolves and coyotes may work. Even the family dog may help in this battle simply by leaving its smell in your yard. The deer may not know the dog they sense is a tiny toy poodle, not a large guard dog.
Hiding your plants in plain sight works too. Plant susceptible, tasty plants near the house or in containers on the deck or balcony. Those planted farther away can be hidden by fragrant herbs planted around them, or by ornamental grasses. Deer don’t seem to like to forage amongst the ornamental grasses for their food. Plant the grasses thickly near and around the plants you are protecting. It can be a beautiful addition to your landscape.
During spring and summer, deer browse mostly on tender plants and vegetables. In fall, they look for food with a higher fat or carbohydrate content to build their fat stores for winter. They prefer acorns, nuts, fruits, and other higher-calorie foods. Yes, they also enjoy the seeds from the bird feeder. So, clean up the acorns, pull the feeders at night, and pick up fallen fruit.
Deer also hear well and don’t like loud noises or unexpected events. A radio left on a talk station may work. Change it up and let them listen to various stations to see which works best. A line of cans can cause a ruckus when bumped—hang them near where the deer walk. As mentioned previously, you may also want to invest in a motion-activated sprinkler (just remember to turn it off during the day or you will get blasted too).
As prey animals, deer have a limited sense of sight, which you can use this against them. Hang 6- to 8-inch-long pieces of white cloth from fences or bushes about deer tail high to mimic the white flag of alarm that does use to warn others of danger. The white works well at dusk and in early dawn lighting.
During fall, the male deer begin the rut season, where they rub the velvet from their antlers and spar with other males for the right to mate or hold territory. This rubbing can damage tree bark, especially the tender bark of fruit trees or newly planted trees. Protect the trunks of these trees with a cylinder of hardware cloth around the trunk and up to the first branch. Using hardware cloth instead of paper tape or chicken wire will protect the tree from rabbit, vole, and mouse damage also.
During winter, the deer will still be actively browsing and eating in their territory. Now the food they will eat will be the bark of trees and shrubs, lichens, and the twigs and branches of trees they can reach. A favorite winter food will be your arborvitae (evergreen). Protect these plants with deer fencing over the shrubs, tall fencing to exclude the deer, or more repellents that focus on smell. You will need to reapply the repellents due to weather or time according to label directions. Granular products may last longer in cold temperatures.
Deer also love fruit tree twigs and branches during winter. Protect the trees with fencing—a ring of two or three fences they can’t easily figure out how to jump over may work. Hanging repellents from tree branches may help as well as spraying with hot pepper spray. Remember, reapply these sprays frequently during winter.
Deer are ruminants—animals with a four-part stomach—so they can ingest and get nourishment from a wide variety of plant sources, many of which are harder to digest like bark and twigs and lichens. You may even want to give in and, if legal and it makes sense to you, provide corn or other food in a far-off location for the deer in your yard.
Motion-activated bright lights may deter them or make it uncomfortable for them to bed down in your yard. The resulting damage to your gardens and the feces they leave are reasons enough to encourage them to move on.
Be aware: You must know the legal ramifications of any action you take to hunt or physically remove deer from your property.
MAY’S PLANT OF THE MONTH:
TROPICAL HIBISCUS (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is the most commonly grown of the tender Hibiscus, and is the state flower of Hawaii. They are medium to large shrubs that we usually grow as small container plants.
Hibiscus in Summer
Hibiscus perform best outside in summer, placed in full sun. As a container plant, they will dry out rather quickly, especially if the shrub is full of leaves and healthy. Do not let them fully dry out; water before they wilt for best results.
Do not, however, water until the surface of the soil has dried. If watered and fed regularly, most Hibiscus will bloom quite well throughout the summer. You will get the best results from regular doses of a water-soluble fertilizer, but organic options can work too. Pruning can be done in summer (but best in fall here in Wisconsin when bringing indoors) if it is necessary to control the size, but it does temporarily interrupt the blooming.
Insect pests can be a problem for Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. Aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies are all fairly common problems, with scale and mealybugs putting in appearances too. For small plants, physical washing can help with aphids or spider mites.
Insecticides, particularly systemics, can give fairly good layers of defense. Topical insecticidal sprays may need regular applications.
Hibiscus in Spring
At some point after danger of frost is past (usually well into May if you want to play it safe) you can move your Hibiscus back out to its summer location. The transition shock should be minimal unless you move it out too early, into cold spring wind and rain for example.
The plant’s water needs may increase gradually, and sometimes dramatically once the weather breaks and your plant is back outside in warm sunshine. Start fertilizing again, possibly in April to May before you move the plant out, and certainly once the plant is out and the weather is fair.
Hibiscus in Autumn/Winter
At some point, you will have to move your Hibiscus rosa-sinensis indoors, either to the house or a heated greenhouse/sun room. If they are to be in the house, find as bright a spot as you can and move them inside before any real threat of frost. If it is possible, acclimation is beneficial, though not necessary.
They will drop some leaves, sometimes quite a few, and bloom a lot less. The brighter your spot, the better the plant will be. Water moderately; avoid either extreme. Do not fertilize at this time, or fertilize sparingly. They can make a pretty good houseplant in bright light, growing moderately well and even blooming occasionally.
If you can move them into a heated greenhouse or sunroom, there should be little or no shock to the plant. They will continue to perform almost as well as they did in summer. The lack of natural light (short, cloudy days) will be their only barrier. Again, water moderately, avoiding extremes. You can continue to fertilize in such conditions, and the plant should continue to flower.
Whether in the house or greenhouse, beware of bringing a lot of insect pests into a previously pest-free environment. This can be a problem for those who grow assorted tropicals. We recommend applying a systemic pesticide diligently per package instructions starting around Labor Day and throughout the winter.
Source: www.portlandnursery.com/
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 [email protected]. 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.
Willy Street Park Plant Sale
Saturday, May 2, 9:00-2:00
Over 40 years ago, a dedicated group of neighbors came together to preserve what is now Willy Street Park, successfully preventing its development into a fast food restaurant. Today, the Willy Street Park Society is collaborating with the Wisconsin State Historical Society to create an archive and oral history of the park, preserving its rich legacy for future generations.
Though Willy Street Park remains private land, it operates much like a public park, welcoming all. But because it’s maintained by the not-for-profit Willy Street Park Society, the park doesn’t receive the same city funding and maintenance as public parks. Neighbors are invited to take an active role in keeping the park beautiful—whether by picking up litter during visits or volunteering for a variety of tasks, from gardening to administrative support.
Willy Street Park
1002 Williamson St.
Madison, WI 53703
Badger State Dahlia Society Tuber Sale
Begins Saturday, May 2, 9:00
Get tubers and already-growing dahlia plants from award-winning “parents” at very reasonable prices. We have hundreds of tubers and plants from scores of exotic and gorgeous cultivars!
When: Saturday, May 2 at 9am – Tuesday May 5 at 6pm. The link to the sale will be posted on our webpage at badgerdahlia.org and on our Instagram and Facebook pages at 9am on May 2.
Pick-up: No shipping. Pick-up on East side of Madison on May 16. The specific address for pick-up will be included on the sale receipt.
Please email us at [email protected] if you have any questions about the sale.
University of Wisconsin Family Gardening Day
Saturday, May 2, 10:00-1:00
April showers bring May flowers—and this opportunity to explore campus gardens, greenhouses, and related facilities. Visit the DC Smith Greenhouse, Allen Centennial Garden, Steenbock Library, and Wisconsin Energy Institute. Explore hands-on activities with seeds, plants and soil. Meet UW scientists. Take home plants and seeds for your own garden (while supplies last).
Visit the link below closer to the event for details regarding the activities that will take place at the the four campus locations…
How to Get Around Campus!
Free Campus Bus Routes
80, 81 & 82
Parking is Also Available:
Lot 17: 1550 Engineering Dr
Lot 20: 1390 University Ave
Lot 34: 1480 Tripp Circle
Lot 36: 1645 Observatory Dr
Lot 40: 1655 Linden Dr
Lot 41: 1820 University Ave
Visit www.science.wisc.edu/family-gardening-day.htm#sthash.ugjcsqEH.dpuf .
For more information, please visit the UW Family Gardening Day Facebook Page
Occupy Madison Plant Sale
Saturday, May 2, 10:00-4:00
Join us at the Occupy Madison Tiny Home Village at 304 N. Third St. (across from Kwik Trip) for vegetable starts, fresh plants and local flavors. Live music and Tiny Home Village tours, community and connections.
Lilacs @ the Arboretum
Saturday, May 2, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Garden Tour
Established in 1935, the Longenecker Horticultural Gardens’ lilac collection is the third largest in the country. Join David Stevens, garden curator, to explore lilac history, lore, culture, and color. Due to the popularity of this tour, free registration through Eventbrite is required by April 29: 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
Full Moon Night Walk @ the Arboretum
Saturday, May 2, 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 (full moon May 1). Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks canceled for unsafe conditions. Free, register through Eventbrite by April 28: 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
Nature Hike @ the Arboretum
Sunday, May 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, May 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
Rotary Garden’s Spring Plant Sale
Friday, May 8, 9:00-4:00
Saturday, May 9, 9:00-4:00
Shop a wide variety of beautiful plants. We have many veggies including an outstanding and unusual varieties of tomatoes & peppers, as well as herbs, perennials and woody plants, bagged mushroom compost, obelisks plus more!
Members save 10% off! Sign up during the sale and receive immediate savings! Proceeds from the plant sale support the mission of the Garden.
RGB members only can shop Thursday, May 7, 4:00-7:00pm
Rotary Botanical Gardens
1455 Palmer Drive, Janesville, WI
608/752-3885 or www.rotarygardens.org
Sunset Garden Club Plant & Crafts Sale
Saturday, May 9, 8:00-2:00
4634 Tokay Blvd.
Items offered for sale include hardy perennial plants, bird houses, birdseed wreaths and assorted garden items.
Troy Farm Plant Sale
Saturday and Sunday, May 9 & 10, 10:00-2:00
Mallards Stadium at Warner Park
2920 N. Sherman Ave. Madison, WI 53704
We’re growing a wide variety of certified organic vegetable, herb, flower, and fruit plant starts, as well as specialty HMoob herbs, and some native prairie wildflowers. The Troy Farm Plant Sale is the perfect opportunity for home and community gardeners to find all the plants they need for their gardens!
For a complete list of plants we will have for sale visit:
Troy Farm, Community Gardens and Kids Garden
502 Troy Drive, Madison, WI 53704
Spring Highlights @ the Arboretum
Saturday, May 9, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Garden Tour
Explore the wonders of spring flowering woody plants in Longenecker Horticultural Gardens as garden horticultural specialist Neil Schmidt presents seasonal highlights from the gardens’ expansive collection. 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, May 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
Friends of the Arboretum Native Plant Sale
Saturday, May 16, 10:00-2:00
U.W.-Madison Arboretum Visitor Center
In the large tents on the lawn near the Visitor Center, shop for more than 200 species of native grasses, woodland, prairie, and savanna plants to purchase, while supplies last. Organized by Friends of the Arboretum, open to the general public.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or uwarboretum.org/events
Badger Bonsai Society Annual Exhibit @ Olbrich Gardens
Saturday, May 16, 10:00-4:00
Sunday, May 17, 10:00-4:00
The annual exhibit features trees from the private collections of club members. Explore the art of bonsai with this unique opportunity to view some amazing miniature trees and talk with the bonsai artists who grew and cultivated them. A wide variety, including conifer, deciduous, flowering, and tropical trees will be on display. Whether you are curious about bonsai and want to learn more or just have an appreciation for these living works of art, the exhibit is sure to have something for you. The exhibit will include 50 to 60 bonsai with many varieties, sizes and ages represented with demonstrations both days at 11 am and 1:30 pm. BBS members will be present to answer questions and share their enjoyment of bonsai with everyone. To learn more, visit Badger Bonsai Society on Facebook. Free admission to bonsai exhibit and demonstrations.
Interested in joining the Badger Bonsai Society? We welcome people at all levels who have an interest in bonsai and want to learn how to start and maintain their own collection. We meet the second Thursday of each month, 6:30-8:00 at Olbrich Gardens.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
Dane County UW-Extension’s
Master Gardener Plant Sale
Sunday, May 17, 11:00-2:00
Dane County UW-Extension Office
5201 Fen Oak Ct, Madison (just off Agriculture Dr. between Pflaum & Femrite)
Each year, Dane County Master Gardeners hold a plant sale on a Sunday in the last half of May. The annual plant sale is the primary source of funds for the Teaching Garden, which includes the new greenhouse. Take a self-guided garden tour before or after the sale to discover new favorites, get ideas for your own garden, or simply enjoy the beautiful setting. You can learn more about the Teaching Garden here: https://dane.extension.wisc.edu/horticulture/teaching-garden/
The sale includes hundreds of perennials for both shade and sun, native plants, vegetable and herb starts, annuals, houseplants and more. Plant Health Advisors and other Master Gardeners will be available to answer your gardening questions. Plants are priced to sell.
Madison Area Master Gardeners Association
PO Box 259318
Madison, WI, 53725
608/224-3721 or at http://dane.uwex.edu/horticulture/
Nature Hike in the Wingra Oak Savannah @ the Arboretum
Sunday, May 17, 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 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.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Family Nature Program: Flower Power @ the Arboretum
Sunday, May 17, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
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
Rotary Garden’s What’s in Bloom? Tour
Wednesday, May 20, 10:00-2:00 a.m.
Rotary Botanical Gardens, 1455 Palmer Dr., Janesville, WI
Step into the heart of nature with our What’s in Bloom Garden Tours! This exclusive series invites you to explore the beauty and wonder of the garden through the changing seasons.
Every month from May to September, you’ll discover what’s currently in bloom, learn insider gardening tips, and get a unique, behind-the-scenes look at the gardens’ vibrant landscapes.
Whether you’re a seasoned plant enthusiast or a curious newcomer, these tours offer an unforgettable experience to connect with nature and expand your horticultural knowledge.
What’s in Bloom Tours are on the 3rd Wednesday of each month, May-September. Free for RBG members (remember to bring your membership card!) or $10 for non-members.
Reserve a spot for any tour @ What’s in Bloom Tour .
Rotary Botanical Gardens
1455 Palmer Dr., Janesville, WI
608/752-3885 or www.rotarybotanicalgardens.org/
Class: Bluebirds and the Arboretum Trail
Saturday, May 23, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Learn about the fascinating lives of bluebirds, their behavior, why their populations declined, and restoration efforts. Instructor Sylvia Marek, Arboretum naturalist, created the Arboretum bluebird trail in 1988 and has monitored it for more than 30 years. Indoor presentation followed by a walk of the trail. Fee: $25. Register by May 19 @ https://arboretum.wisc.edu/classes/class-bluebirds-and-the-arboretum-trail/ . 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, May 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
Blue Moon Night Walk @ the Arboretum
Saturday, May 30, 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 (full moon May 31). Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks canceled for unsafe conditions. Free, register through Eventbrite by May 26: 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
Nature Hike in the Grady Tract @ the Arboretum
Sunday, May 31, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Walk
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 seasonally prepared for weather and insects. Walks take place rain or shine, except in unsafe weather. Free, no registration required. Meet at Grady Tract parking lot, southeast corner of Seminole Hwy. and W. Beltline Frontage Rd.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Dane County Farmer’s Market
Saturdays, April 11 thru November 14, 6:15-1:45
On the Capitol Square
Wednesdays, April 22 thru November 4, 8:30-1:15
In the 200 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
For details visit www.dcfm.org
Northside Farmers Market
Sundays, May 3 through October 25, 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
MAY IN THE GARDEN-–A checklist of things to do this month.
___By May 1, cool weather items like pansies, cole crops, onion sets, etc. should already be planted.
___Sow successive crops of radishes and greens every 2 weeks.
___Mow your lawn frequently and at a high setting to control lawn weeds.
___Reseed bare spots in the lawn as needed.
___Begin hardening off your seedlings and overwintered plants. Move inside or cover on cold nights.
___Prep beds as soon as the soil is workable and not too wet.
___Till compost into beds.
___Perennials, shrubs and trees can now all be planted safely.
___Divide and propagate most perennials as desired (except peonies & iris)
___Plant strawberries and asparagus early in the month.
___Plant your leftover Easter Lily into the garden. They’ll bloom each July in the garden.
___Be prepared to move plants indoors if a sudden cold spell (or snow) hits.
___After May 10, begin setting out all plants, but KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEATHER!
___Sow beans and corn after the last scheduled frost date.
___After May 20, begin planting warm weather items: tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, coleus, impatiens etc.
___Mulch beds as needed to cut down on weeds and watering.
___Begin a weeding as needed. The smaller the weed, the easier to remove.
___Prune spring blooming as desired AFTER they are done flowering.
___Wait until after the foliage has yellowed to cut back daffodils, tulips, etc.
___Begin pinching tall perennials like asters, goldenrod, phlox, etc. for shorter and bushier plants.
___Visit Klein’s—SPRING PLANTING IS FINALLY HERE!
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 new state of the art growing greenhouses behind our beautiful open-to-the-public retail space. 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 MAY:
—Transplanting continues!! Early in the month we finish transplanting the seedlings for spring sales. But during mid-month we begin transplanting the plugs for our summer program. Customers continue to purchase bedding annuals through the summer months. Sometimes they’re replacing plants that have succumbed to summer heat or heavy rains. Or maybe some quick color is needed for selling a house or having an outdoor party. Whatever the case, we can fill their needs.
—The spring onslaught is in full swing. The back greenhouses are filled floor to ceiling with plants awaiting purchase. Our outdoor space is a sea of color. Flats of plants waiting for sale fill most nooks and crannies of our property.
—Watering is a nonstop endeavor. On hot, windy days, we no sooner finish the first round, when we have to start all over again. Some plants in our retail areas may need watering 3 or 4 times in a single day! You wouldn’t do this at home, but customers don’t like to see wilted plants. It’s not harmful for us to let them wilt a bit, but it makes for bad presentation.
—Restocking is also constant. Cart loads of product are moved nearly continuously from our back greenhouses to the front showrooms.
—Believe it or not, but our fall mums arrive! The small plants are put into small pots now and then stepped into larger tubs later in the summer. They won’t be available for sale until mid-August.
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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected] 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.
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 [email protected]
Floral Department—Sarah Somson [email protected]
Houseplant Buyer, Newsletter Coordinator—Rick Halbach [email protected]
Purchasing—Megan Buchholz [email protected]
Owner, Floral Designer & Purchasing—Sue Klein [email protected]
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