‘THE SAGE’-Klein’s Online Newsletter—JULY 2026
Klein’s Floral & Greenhouses
3758 E. Washington Ave.
Madison, WI 53704
608/244-5661 or [email protected]
THIS MONTH’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Klein’s Sponsors Olbrich’s 2026 Home Garden Tour, July 10 & 11
Our ‘Mad Gardener‘ and ‘Houseplant Help‘ Are Ready for Your Questions
Klein’s Favorite Seed, Bulb & Plant Sources
Top Ten Biggest Flower Exporting Countries
A Guide to Creating a Japanese Garden
Natural Garden Pest Control
You Asked about About Browning and Dropping Evergreen Needles
We Reuse Your Teal-colored 5″ Klein’s Pots
Free Houseplant Potting Service @ Klein’s
Product Spotlight: Copper Fungicide and Bt (Bacillus Thuringiensis) from Bonide
Plant of the Month: Celosia
Klein’s Favorite Veggies on the Grill Recipes for Beginners
Notes from My Garden Journal—From June 2026
—Getting the Biggest Bang from Your Hydrangeas
—Anderson Japanese Gardens, Rockford
—Tomato Fertilizing Know-How
July 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
KLEIN’S IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF THE 2026 OLBRICH HOME GARDEN TOURbeing held Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 for Olbrich members and $17 for the general public, $7 for children ages 6-12 and free for children 5 and under.
Situated along the Sugar River in the City of Verona, Olbrich’s 2026 Home Garden Tour will showcase specialized plant collections, upcycled art, creative hardscaping, and resourceful DIY gardeners! Navigate the tour route with ease and learn more about featured native plants, by using the Home Garden Tour app, accessible by QR code on the tour ticket. The Home Garden Tour app offers a digital option for exploring the garden tour including GPS features (it is not required to use the app to enjoy the tour).
Advance tickets available for purchase at Olbrich’s lobby thru July 9.
Tour day ticket sales July 10 & 11, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., 303 S. Marietta St., Verona, WI 53593 and 1310 Red Tail Dr., Verona, WI 53593
Visitwww.olbrich.org for more information.
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.
JULY STORE HOURS:
Monday thru Friday : 9:00-6:00
Saturday: 9:00-5:00
Sunday: 10:00-4:00
Open Saturday, July 4: 10:00-4:00
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
Throughout July, visit Klein’s and check out our specials on annuals, vegetables, hanging baskets and containers. Specials and selection change weekly so check our home page @ www.kleinsfloral.com or our social media sites (Click on the links at the top of our homepage). We pride ourselves in having the best cared for plants in even the hottest weather and throughout the month we’ll continue to offer a full selection of annuals, perennials and shrubs.
July 4–Independence Day. Special Store Hours: 10:00-4:00. Check out special savings on select items. Selection is excellent and quality remains top notch. Visit our website for current specials. Make Klein’s your first stop en route to any Fourth of July celebration you might have.
July 10 & 11—Olbrich Garden’s 2026 Home Garden Tour. See above for details or visit www.olbrich.org for more information.
July 29–Full Moon
‘THE FLOWER SHOPPE’:
A Guide to the Top Ten Biggest Flower Exporting Countries
The floral industry is a vibrant segment of global trade, with numerous countries playing pivotal roles in exporting flowers worldwide. Here is a guide to the ten biggest flower-exporting nations based on recent data.
1. NETHERLANDS
The Netherlands is often regarded as the capital of the floral world. With its extensive greenhouses, innovative horticultural techniques, and famous floricultural auctions in Aalsmeer, the Netherlands is by far the largest exporter of flowers, particularly tulips and roses.
2. COLOMBIA
Colombia has emerged as a key player in the flower export market, known for its stunning variety of flowers. The country’s high-altitude climate supports the cultivation of premium roses, chrysanthemums, and orchids. Colombia primarily exports flowers to the United States.
3. ECUADOR
Ecuador is famous for its high-quality roses, benefiting from its ideal growing conditions due to its equatorial location and rich volcanic soil. The country’s flower farms produce a diverse range of flowers, mainly aimed at international markets, particularly in North America and Europe.
4. KENYA
Kenya’s flower industry has seen remarkable growth, making it one of the top exporters in Africa. The country’s climate and altitude allow for the cultivation of a wide array of flowers, including roses and various tropical blooms. The majority of its exports are sent to Europe.
5. UNITED STATES
The United States has a substantial domestic floral market, but it also imports and exports a considerable amount of flowers. California, Florida, and Hawaii are the primary states for flower production, with roses being the most popular exported flower.
6. THAILAND
Thailand’s warm climate and diverse flora enable it to produce a wide range of flowers, including orchids and jasmine. The country is a significant exporter in the Asian market and has gained recognition for its unique floral varieties.
7. ISRAEL
Israel’s advanced agricultural techniques facilitate the cultivation of high-quality flowers, including cut flowers and ornamental plants. The country exports a significant amount, primarily to Europe and the United States.
8. INDIA
India’s floral exports have gained momentum, with the country producing a variety of flowers like marigolds, jasmine, and roses. The domestic demand is substantial, but India is increasingly making its mark in international markets.
9. ECUADOR
Ecuador is renowned for its high-quality roses, benefiting from its ideal growing conditions due to its equatorial location and rich volcanic soil. The country’s flower farms produce a diverse range of flowers, mainly aimed at international markets, particularly in North America and Europe.
10. MEXICO
Mexico is known for its tropical flowers and foliage, exporting a variety of blooms, including lilies and poinsettias. The proximity to the United States has made Mexico a significant exporter to its northern neighbor, especially for seasonal flowers.
These nations represent the backbone of the global floral trade, contributing to the vibrant and diverse world of flowers enjoyed by people worldwide. pauserewindnfastforward.com
YOU ASKED. . .
I have a number of evergreen shrubs in my yard that are turning brown and shedding needles. Is there something happening with evergreens this year? They are all well established, older plants. Ann
Your shrubs/trees likely have Rhizosphaera Needle Cast. We’ve heard that it’s really bad this year and affects certain pines more than others, especially certain spruces. For a conclusive diagnosis you’ll need to hire an arborist. In the long haul, it usually doesn’t kill the plants…but they become very unsightly and it’ll only get worse in the future unless treated. Here is a link to the UW Extension website: https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/rhizosphaera-needle-cast/
Thanks for your question,
[email protected], [email protected]
DID YOU KNOW. . .
. . . that themed gardens and/or themed living spaces within a garden continue to be a growing and important trend in garden design?
When you enter a Japanese Garden you are entering a world of peace and harmony. Walking through on curved paths and over bridges you are surrounded by elements of nature and the natural world. You may notice that Japanese Gardens have no straight paths, that they favor asymmetry or in other words there is not a pattern to the placement of plants or hardscape. Japanese gardens are mainly green but blooms and foliage may show seasonal changes and this is only for a short time. Structures are built of natural materials like bamboo, stone and wood.
There are many symbols in the Japanese garden such as trees, rocks, water, lanterns and air which all represent the natural world. A single tree can represent the forest, rocks or boulders represents the earth. Water means purity and is represented in lakes, rivers, pools, fountains, or a simple water garden in an urn. Water can also be imagined in an area of raked gravel and a boulder to make it appear as an island in the sea. The fire element can be as simple as lanterns scattered in the yard with a soft candle glow. Air is moving throughout the garden and it brings the flow of positive energy as it goes over and through bamboo gates and fences. You can hear the breezes as it passes by the bamboo wind chimes hanging in the tree.
There are five main Japanese garden styles that represent some or all of the points mentioned so far. They are as follows:
1. Strolling Pond Garden kaiyu-skiki– is usually a large piece of property or park for taking walks in. It will contain a flat, still pond of irregular shape as its primary focal point. There will be a stone or gravel path that will lead up to an overlook and down to the water as well. A curved or moon bridge would take the visitor over the pond for beautiful views.
2. The Natural Garden shukei yen– is to give the visitor a feeling of being in the woods with untrimmed trees and woodland paths and streams. Moss is usually the ground cover here and you will not find many lanterns or bridges. Water is crossed by use of stepping stones instead.
3. The Tea Garden rojiniwa– usually surrounds the ceremonial tea house. This garden is usually divided into two gardens. The outer garden is the entrance and is for the guest to walk around and enjoy up close. The outer garden will have a water basin, a single potted bonsai on a stand, a crooked path, and a half opened gate. There is usually a low overhead beam at the entrance to the tea house to force the visitor to bow before entering and leaving. The inner garden is considered sacred which the guests are not allowed to enter but can be enjoyed from a window or deck. The inner garden will most likely have a small water feature or a dry well.
4. The Sand and Stone Garden seki tei– is a walled garden with the sand and stone telling a story. Without the wall the garden would lose out to the the distant view. The sand is very coarse for stability and ease of raking. Sometimes the stones are placed so it tells a tale of a past battle or dragon of legend. Usually the tallest rock is represented as the Budda and all the smaller stones are the children or young animals. There should be a bench for sitting and meditating.
5. The Flat Sea Garden hiraniwa– is a flat expanse of raked sand or fine gravel that represents the sea. Using a rake in a skillful way is the key to this garden. The gravel edge up to the path can be raked to appear like waves up to a shoreline. Stones and boulders are positioned halfway out in the raked area to mimic islands in the sea. This is similar to the walled garden but it has low growing shrubs and hedges as well as small flowering trees in the background instead of the wall.
If you have the following already in your garden, you can use it as a starting point for a Japanese garden: natural stream or pond, natural boulders with moss, stepping stone path that curves, gravel or pebble area, maple tree, flowering plum or cherry tree, bamboo, magnolia or pine tree, azaleas, rhododendrons or camellias. A Japanese garden is an excellent choice for a small shady green yard. In a place with no plants, water or very little light then a gravel and boulder garden would be perfect. Aside from the initial work of creating the Japanese garden and once established it demands little maintenance except for tree pruning and raking the gravel.
PLANTS FOR JAPANESE GARDENS
Azalea
Fern
Ginkgo
Bamboo-clump variety
Japanese Flowering Plum and Cherry trees
Japanese Maple
Mondo Grass
Moss
Pine
Star Magnolia
Yew Pine
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.
Captain Jack’s Copper Fungicide and Bt (Bacillus Thuringiensis) from Bonide
It’s time to save your prized vegetable crops from pest and disease onslaught! Two products every vegetable gardener should have in their arsenal are copper fungicide and Bt. Both are organic and can be used day of harvest and both are harmless to beneficial insects and pollinators.
Bt (Bacillus Thuringiensis)
This insect control is great for use on cabbage looper, hornworms, tent caterpillar, gypsy moth, bagworm and many more.
PROTECTS FRUITS, VEGETABLES, SHADE TREES & ORNAMENTALS – Designed for use on broccoli, cauliflower, kale, mustard greens, eggplant, pepper, melons, tomatoes, cabbage, shade trees and ornamentals.
DOESN’T HARM BENEFICIAL INSECTS – Kills worms and caterpillar stage insects while causing no harm to birds, earthworms, or beneficial insects, such as honeybees and ladybugs.
FAST ACTING FORMULA – Must be eaten by worms or caterpillars to be effective. After ingesting, bugs immediately stop feeding and will die within 2-3 days.
ORGANIC GARDENING – The active ingredient of the product is a strain of the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, which is a leading insecticide used worldwide. Approved for organic gardening.
Copper Fungicide
Control fungus and disease in your garden.
Approved for organic gardening, this fungicide is suitable for the production of organic produce and can even be used up until the day of harvest!
Copper Fungicide effective in the control and prevention of a wide range of plant diseases. Listed common garden diseases include blight, black spot, powdery mildew peach leaf curl and more.
Apply copper fungicide to fruits, vegetables, ornamentals and other plants in your lawn and garden for complete and long-lasting disease control.
Source: https://bonide.com/
NOTES FROM MY GARDEN JOURNAL
ENTRY: JUNE 15, 2026 (Getting the Biggest Bang from Your Hydrangeas)
The first of the hydrangeas are going into full bloom right now. That said, hydrangeas are among our most asked about plants because they aren’t blooming properly or at all. The following article appeared in a Martha Stewart Living magazine.
How To Grow Beautiful Hydrangeas Year After Year
Adored for their fluffy pom-pom flowers, these plants are natures cheerleaders, typically thriving throughout Zones 4 to 9. But the various types require unique care for lasting impact. To ensure yours explode with beauty every summer, heed the advice of Ryan McEnaney, communications manager at Bailey’s Nursery, in St. Paul, MN (source of nearly all of Klein’s hydrangeas), and a spokesperson for ‘Endless Summer’ hydrangeas on snipping, soaking, and feeding them.
- Know Your Variety
Most hydrangeas fall into one of three categories: panicle (cone-shaped flowers), smooth (large and snowball-like), or bigleaf (bigger leaves in tighter globes or more open, lacy petals. The first two bloom on new growth; the last one erupts on both new and old (i.e. the prior year’s branches).
- Prune Accordingly
As a result, you should avoid pruning bigleafs in the fall to safeguard next year’s blooms. To encourage new growth, come late winter, trim panicle shrubs by about a third, and cut smooth ones down to 12-18 inches tall. Then in late spring, snip bigleafs just above the first green buds that appear. (You can also do both types in the spring if you prefer.)
- Water Only As Needed
To determine when that is, stick your finger in the soil up to your second knuckle. If it’s dry, give it a deep drink; if moist, let it be. Overwatering can flood key nutrients and oxygen from the soil.
- Nourish Occasionally
Rouse hydrangeas in early spring with a dose of organic fertilizer; McEnaney likes Espoma Flower-Tone (available @ Klein’s). He also suggests feeding a bloom-booster in July—it can especially energize the reblooming types.
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ENTRY: JUNE 20, 2026 (Anderson Japanese Gardens, Rockford)
A lovely day trip to Rockford (just 70 miles from Madison) takes you to one of the most beautiful Japanese gardens in North America!
Anderson Japanese Gardens
318 Spring Creek Rd., Rockford IL 61107
Construction began in 1978 when Rockford businessman John Anderson was inspired by a visit to the Portland Japanese Garden in Oregon. With the ongoing assistance of renowned Master Craftsman and designer Hoichi Kurisu, the Andersons’ swampy backyard along Rockford’s Spring Creek was transformed into a Japanese-style landscape. From groundbreaking to today, the placement of every rock, alignment of every tree, and layout of all paths have been made with careful consideration by Mr. Kurisu.
In 1998, John and Linda Anderson donated the Gardens as a supported organization to the Rockford Rotary Charitable Association. It now exists as a not-for-profit entity and continues to grow and change to this day.
Anderson Japanese Gardens evolved from an individual’s vision to create a unique amenity for the Rockford region into an internationally renowned public garden. The founder’s principals of authentic design, first-class craftsmanship and world-class maintenance have led to the Gardens’ reputation as one of the finest Japanese gardens in the world.
Three of the essential elements used to create a Japanese garden are stone, which form the structure of the landscape; water, representing life-giving force; and plants, which provide the color and changes throughout the seasons. Secondary elements include pagodas, stone lanterns, water basins, arbors and bridges. Japanese gardens are very carefully designed and patiently pruned according to aesthetic principals to create a work of natural art that inspires calm, renewal, discovery and an invigorated soul. Though most Japanese garden materials are not unusual, the way that all these basic elements are brought together and the emotions that they provoke is what makes a Japanese garden unique.
Anderson Japanese Gardens is an authentic Japanese Garden maintained by the highest standards that touches the souls of our guests. With grace, elegance, and gentle awareness we exemplify the Japanese cultural heritage of respectful humility in service to people of all cultures.
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ENTRY: JUNE 27, 2026 (Tomato Fertilizing Know-How)
With the recent beneficial rains, the veggie garden has really taken off. Tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, eggplant and peppers are loaded with blossoms and small fruits. Watering becomes an endless task and my fertilizing regimen is in full swing.
The following tomato fertilizing tips come from the Jack’s Fertilizers website @ https://www.jrpeters.com/
Tomato Growing Know-How with Jack’s Fertilizers
Things are really moving now in the garden with the onset of the warmer temperatures. Your transplants should be responding to their new environment and producing new growth. The root systems are ready to take up all the nutrients they need to maximize their bud set and flower initiation.
Here is the feeding program I use for my tomato plants and some of the reasons I use it.
• After transplanting the tomatoes I want to get them off to a great start. In order to do that you need to provide plenty of phosphorus to the root system which has not yet spread out in the soil. I use the Jack’s Classic® Blossom Booster 10-30-20 at 1 tablespoon per gallon when I set the plants in place.
• After the first week I come back and make my first application of Jack’s Classic® 20-20-20. This 1-1-1 ratio fertilizer is just what the plant needs to grow in mass with plenty of new leaves and thick stems that will be the factories to produce lots of energy that will give you a high fruit yield. I repeat these feedings every 10 days to make certain there are no nutrient stresses to hold back production.
• Tomatoes respond well to increased levels of magnesium in the feed program. Be sure to add some additional Epsom salts (1 teaspoon per gallon) to your fertilizer applications. Your leaves will develop a deep green in response to the fertilizer applications and the increased magnesium.
• After the first month I switch my feeding program to a combination of 1 tablespoon of 20-20-20 and 1 tablespoon of 10-30-20 in 2 gallons. That combination makes a 15-25-20 fertilizer, which is a great formulation to feed as the plants are setting buds and fruit. Stick with this combination until all your fruit is set and the first of the fruit is starting to turn red
- From this point on I stick with the Blossom Booster 10-30-20. The high potassium will let the fruit finish nicely. Apply the fertilizers every 10 days or so right through the end of the crop.
KLEIN’S RECIPES OF THE MONTH—These are a selection of relatively simple recipes chosen by our staff. New recipes appear monthly. Enjoy!!
The season has finally arrived for outdoor entertainment and dining and the grill should not be reserved for cooking just meats. Vegetables cooked on the grill take on a wonderful, slightly smoky flavor. Recipes can be used with either gas or charcoal with minor adjustments and experimentation. Here are a few basic recipes for beginners.
BAKED POTATOES–A simple and no-fail way to make potatoes on the grill.
Basic version: Poke desired number of medium to large baking potatoes with a fork a few times to release steam while cooking. Wrap individually in foil. Bake in a covered grill, indirectly over hot charcoal or on the upper level of a medium hot gas grill for 50 minutes to 1.25 hours depending on the size of the potatoes, flipping and rearranging once during cooking time.
Alternative version: Slice a wedge lengthwise into each potato. Spread a tablespoon or two of butter into the wedge and season as desired. Favorite seasonings include one or a few of the following: Chopped onion, chopped garlic, dill weed, herb pepper, garlic powder, fresh rosemary. Use whatever sounds good to you. Wrap each potato individually in foil. Bake in a covered grill, CUT SIDE UP, indirectly over hot charcoal or on the upper level of a medium hot gas grill for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until tender, rotating (keeping the cut side up) once during cooking.
CORN ON THE COB–This is the easiest corn on the cob recipe around!! Keeping the husks on, imparts a delightful smoky flavor and prevents wasting foil. When dining outside, simply keep a pail or waste can handy for the husks and toss them into the compost heap.
Basic version: Snip the silks from the desired number of cobs with a pair of scissors. Break off any really long stems from the base if desired. Keeping the husk on the cobs, soak the ears in a large bow, pail or in the kitchen sink for at least 30 minutes. This soaking slows the husks from scorching too quickly once placed on the grill. The added moisture also adds in steaming the corn for even cooking. Some people add either salt or sugar to the water for added flavor. Bake the soaked cobs , covered, indirectly over hot charcoal or on the upper level of a medium hot gas grill for 25-30 minutes, rotating and flipping twice during cooking for even browning. The husks should become quite scorched. Times may vary based on your grill so experiment.
Alternative version: After soaking the ears, pull back the husks, remove the silks entirely and slather with plain or herbed butter of choice. Pull the husks back over the ears, tying the end, if desired, with a removed husk leaf to seal the open end. Cook as above.
ROASTED VEGETABLES–Many people prepare a similar recipe in a foil packet. We’ve found that using an ovenproof Dutch oven or kettle with a cover allows for one dish cooking and serving in addition to better layering of the vegetables. This is a fantastic way to use up vegetables as needed when summer supplies can become overwhelming.
Cut vegetables of choice into rather large chunks. Favorites include: potatoes, onions, carrots, sweet peppers, broccoli, celery, green beans, garlic cloves…pretty much anything (though tomatoes get a little soggy). Layer the vegetables in the pot or Dutch oven. Vegetables that require the longest cooking time (i.e. potatoes) should be at the bottom and those requiring the least (broccoli and onions) at the top. Pour 2/3-1 cup water over the vegetables. Place a few tablespoons of butter on top of the vegetable and sprinkle with a few herbs of choice, fresh or dried, if desired. Cover securely and place directly over medium hot charcoal or directly over a medium low flame on a gas grill. Cover the grill and allow to cook about 25 minutes or until tender. There’s no need to peek. When tender, drain, season as desired and serve.
NATURAL NEWS–
Natural Garden Pest Control
Natural pest control is less expensive than buying and applying pesticides, and it’s safer for your garden, your family, the natural wildlife and the environment.
Each year North American homes use approximately 136 million pounds of pesticides on lawns and gardens, and in the home. In fact, homeowners use about three times the amount of pesticides as farmers. Most wildlife pest poisonings, and most surface water contamination from pesticides, come from single-family homes.
Prevention
The easiest way to prevent insect damage in your garden is to discourage them from coming in the first place. A healthy garden is the best defense.
–Pull out any weak plants. They may already be infected. If not, they will attract predators. Pull the plant and dispose of it away from the garden area.
–Build healthy, organic soil. Natural composting methods, mulching and top-dressing your soil with compost or natural fertilizer is the best way to develop strong, vigorous plants.
–Seaweed mulch or spray. Seaweed contains trace elements such as iron, zinc, barium, calcium, sulfur and magnesium, which promote healthy development in plants. Seaweed fertilizer in mulch or spray form will enhance growth and give plants the strength to withstand disease. Seaweed mulch also repels slugs.
–Minimize insect habitat. Clear garden area of debris and weeds which are breeding places for insects. Use clean mulch.
–Interplant and rotate crops. Insect pests are often plant specific. When plantings are mixed, pests are less likely to spread throughout a crop. Rotating crops each year is a common method to avoid re-infestation of pests which have overwintered in the bed.
–Keep foliage dry. Water early so foliage will be dry for most of the day. Wet foliage encourages insect and fungal damage to your plants. See our page on drip-irrigation for methods of delivering water to the root systems without wetting the foliage.
–Disinfect. If you’ve been working with infested plants, clean your tools before moving on to other garden areas. This will reduce the speed of invading insects.
Beneficial Insects
Beneficial insects are insects which you can attract to your garden, or buy from catalogues, which prey on harmful insects or their larvae. There are many different species for specific problems.
–Brachonids,Chalcids and Ichneumon Wasps
These small beneficial insects destroy leaf-eating caterpillars. You can attract them to your garden by planting carrots, celery, parsley, caraway and Queen Anne’s lace, all members of the Umbelliferae family. These plants are easy to grow, and some should be left to flower. It’s the flower that attracts the insects.
–Ladybugs
These common insects consume aphids, mites, whiteflies and scale. They can be attracted to your garden by planting members of the daisy family (Compositae), tansy or yarrow. Ladybugs are also available from catalogues online.
–Lacewings
Lacewings are avid consumers of aphids, and their larva eat aphids and other varieties of other insect pests. They are attracted to “composite” flowers, such as yarrow, goldenrod, black-eyed susan’s and asters. Lacewings can also be purchased online.
–Hover-flies
Hover-flies are avid consumers of aphids, and the larva of hover-flies eat aphids and other insect pests. Like the Lacewings, they are attracted to “composite” flowers, such as yarrow, goldenrod, black-eyed susan’s and asters.
–Praying Mantis
These large insects have an appetite for most garden pests. Praying mantis eggs are set out in the garden where they hatch and quickly grow to adult size. The eggs are available through mail-order catalogues.
Nematodes
Effective against cutworms, a common pest which destroys sprouts before they can grow into seedlings. Nematodes are also effective against beetles and root weevil larvae.
Nematode eggs are microscopic and come in a small sponge a million at a time. These are mixed with water and applied to the soil, where they hatch and go to work. If they get on foliage, wash them off to the ground.
Nematodes are harmless to humans and pets. They are available in some garden centers and through mail-order catalogues.
Garden ‘Mini – Insectary’
You can also set aside a small garden plot of flowering plants designed to attract and harbor beneficial insects. These ‘good’ insects prey on many common garden insect pests, and offer the gardener a safer, natural alternative to pesticides.
Nontoxic and Homemade Remedies
Homemade remedies are inexpensive and, best of all, you know what is going into your garden. Many homemade sprays have been used with good results to control harmful insects. They usually involve noxious (but nontoxic) ingredients such as garlic, cayenne, stinging nettles or horsetail which are diluted in water and blended to be sprayed on the plants. Here are a few simple formulas:
–Soft-bodied insects (mites, aphids, mealybugs):
Mix one tablespoon canola oil and a few drops of Ivory soap into a quart of water. Shake well and pour into a spray bottle. Spray plant from above down, and from below up to get the underside of the leaves. The oil smothers the insects.
–Grubs:
For lawn or garden grubs, there is a natural remedy called milky spore. The granules are spread on the soil and cause the grubs to contract a disease that kills them. This natural control affects only the grubs, leaving the beneficial organisms unharmed. Milky spore multiplies over time and will sit inactive, waiting for grubs to infect. One treatment is said to last 40 years. The grubs are actually the larvae of Japanese beetles. So, when you kill the grubs you kill the beetle.
–Mites and other insects:
Mix two tablespoons of hot pepper sauce or cayenne pepper with a few drops of Ivory soap into a quart of water. Let stand overnight, then stir and pour into a spray bottle and apply as above. Shake container frequently during application.
–Earwigs, slugs, and other soft-bodied garden pests:
Sprinkle diatomaceous earth over plants and around edges of garden beds. The diatoms particles are very small and sharp – but only harmful to the small exoskeletons of insects, slugs and snails. Insects cannot become immune to its action, as it is a mechanical killer – not a chemical one.
–Fungal diseases:
Mix two tablespoons of baking soda into a quart of water. Pour into a spray container and spray affected areas. Repeat this process every few days until problem ceases.
–Powdery mildew:
Mix equal parts milk and water and spray on infected plants. Three treatments a week apart should control the disease.
–Insects and fungal diseases:
Combine one tablespoon of cooking oil, two tablespoons of baking soda and a few drops of Ivory soap into a quart of water. Pour into a spray container and apply as above.
–Insects on fruit trees:
Lime sulfur and dormant oil, available at nurseries and garden centers, can be sprayed on the trunk and branches of dormant fruit trees. This concoction will suffocate insect egg cases. Because the oily spray is heavy compared to the other water-based sprays, you’ll need a pump sprayer. These are fairly inexpensive, and are available to rent from some nurseries. Only use this method while the tree is dormant, however, or it can kill the tree.
Commercial dormant oils may contain petroleum oil or kerosene. A less toxic method is to make your own. Mix 1 cup vegetable oil and 2 tbsp liquid soap in one gallon (4 liters) water. Mix the soap and oil first, then add the water. Shake often during use.
Caution: Sprays which kill harmful insects will also kill beneficial insects. Use these homemade remedies selectively, only spraying the infected plants. Apply them early in the morning or just before dark. Reapply after a rain. Wear protective clothing when spraying insecticides.
Traps and Barriers
–Yellow Flypaper: Old-fashioned flypaper is very effective in the garden for aphids and whiteflies. In fact, any board or heavy paper painted yellow and coated with a sticky substance such as tanglefoot (available at garden centers) will do the job.
–Apple Maggot Traps: The apple maggot is the most destructive pest of apples grown in home orchards. This insect is a type of fly which pierces the skin of ripening fruit and lays eggs. In 5 – 10 days, the eggs hatch a maggot which burrows through the fruit. These pests can be managed by using sticky red sphere traps. Hang one trap for every 100 apples in a tree.
–Pheromones: These biological mating scents attract insects to a trap which is coated with a sticky substance. Pheromone traps are effective, but remember they are “attracting” the insects – be sure to position them on your garden perimeter or you’ll attract outside pests into your garden!
–Floating Row Covers: Floating row covers consist of lightweight opaque material which is draped over the garden bed. Sunlight and water go through, but insects and birds are kept out. The material is so light that the growing plants simply push it up as they grow – like Jiffy Pop popcorn. The edges of the row cover need to be anchored with rocks or boards or the wind will lift it. The material is “spun” which resists tearing, but usually begins to break down after a few years. Row cover material comes in rolls so you can make a continuous cover no matter how long the garden bed.
Row covers are great for protecting seedlings. They are even more useful throughout the growing season when placed over vegetables such as carrots, beets, broccoli, swiss chard and spinach because it makes an effective barrier against flying insects looking for these plants to lay their eggs on.
–Cloche: The cloche is like a miniature greenhouse for your seedbeds and young plants, and acts as a barrier against pests. Unlike the floating row cover, however, the cloche has to be opened on hot days and for watering, and this presents an opportunity for pests to find the plants. But because the cloche helps seedlings and young plants get well established, the enhanced natural resistance of stronger healthy plants is the best defense against pests and disease.
–Barrier Paper: Scraps of waxed cardboard from milk cartons, or a scrap of roofing felt are a simple yet effective defense against cabbage moths. Cabbage moth larva kill young sprouts of the Brasier family (broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, kale or cauliflower).
Cut into 2″ squares and slit one side into the center; make another small slit crossways. Open the slit and slide the square so the seedling stem is in the center. This prevents the cabbage moth from laying eggs at the base of the sprouts. Leave in place – as the plant grows it will simply push the slit open wider. Be sure to apply as soon as the sprout appears, or the moth will beat you to it!
Deer Control
The average deer eats about 5 pounds of greenery each day. Creatures of habit, they revisit the same forage areas often. The following nontoxic recipes will deter the deer, but may need to be reapplied after a heavy rain.
–Mix one whole egg with a quarter cup of water and mix well. Pour the mixture into a pump bottle and spray it on your plants. This deterrent will withstand light rains because the egg sticks to the leaves.
–Mix one tablespoon of liquid dish detergent with one ounce of hot sauce in one liter of water and spray directly on plants which deer have been nibbling.
–For larger volume applications, mix the following ingredients:
1 cup milk
2 gallons water (8 liters)
2 whole eggs
2 TBS. cooking oil
2 TBS. liquid detergent
Pour the mixture into a pump bottle and spray it on your plants.
Eventually, even the most persistent deer will become discouraged and look elsewhere for forage. Once they’re in the habit of feeding elsewhere, you may be able to let up on the spraying regimen.
Other suggestions for nontoxic deer control:
–Hang a bar of fragrant soap from a middle branch of a bush to keep deer from eating the leaves. They don’t like the smell. The rain and humidity keeps the soap fragrant.
–Human hair stuffed into a small cheesecloth sack and hung in trees will repel deer.
Rodent Control
First, secure any open food sources, especially the compost bin. Sealed compost bins, such as compost tumblers, are recommended if you have rodents in your garden. As a deterrent, soak a rag or cotton balls in oil of peppermint (found at most health food stores), and place in areas of rodent activity. Place under an eve or under a cover that will keep the rain from diluting the peppermint. Rodents are allergic to peppermint and will avoid it.
This method is also effective at deterring rabbits.
Source: http://eartheasy.com
JULY’S PLANT OF THE MONTH:
Celosia
Celosias are one of the most eye-catching annuals to grow in the garden. Technically speaking, however, they are tender annuals, as they are perennial in Zones 10 to 12.
The three types of celosia are easily distinguishable from each other. They are plumes, crests, or spikes; simply described as plumes of jewel-colored feathers, wrinkly-looking knobs, or elongated cones. No matter which celosia you choose to grow, the flower colors are not for the faint of heart; their vivid hues practically glow, lighting up the garden even on the rainiest summer days. Most commonly seen are dazzling red, yellow, cream, orange, rose, deep magenta, and pink. Less commonly seen are bicolors. In addition to their eye-catching magnificence in the garden, taller varieties are excellent as cut flowers – both fresh and dried. Celosia can range in size from dwarf varieties that only grow four to six inches high to vigorous types over three feet tall.
Celosias are easy to grow from seed, and young plants are readily available at nurseries, garden centers, and stores in spring. Versatile, celosias grow in most any type of soil – even heavy clay – as long as they are in full sun. With summer weather as unpredictable as it has been in recent years, you can count on celosia to come through heat and drought unscathed.
Keep an eye out for celosias as you drive or walk around the community. Public gardens, parks, the highway department, malls, and local merchants take advantage of the low-maintenance, high-impact aspects of celosias. If they can grow so successfully with so little attention, imagine what a show they can make in the hands of someone who loves plants and has an artistic eye and doesn’t grow them in the typical soldierly rows.
HISTORY
The exact geographic origins of celosia in the wild are unknown, although speculations include the dry slopes of Africa and India as well as dry stony regions of both North and South America. Wherever they first came from, we have been growing and enjoying them in North America since the 18th century. Although reportedly used by Chinese herbalists to stop bleeding, treat diseases of the blood, and infections of the urinary tract, there are no references to its use in any western herbals – modern or centuries old, European or Native American.
The name is derived from the Greek and translates to “burning,” aptly describing the look of celosias – especially the yellow, red, and orange plumed varieties – which bear a resemblance to licks of flames erupting from the stems. Before breeding resulted in larger blooms, the crested celosia, with its small, wavy, fanlike flowers, looked very much like roosters’ red combs – hence the popular common name of cockscomb.
In the Victorian language of flowers, celosias signified humor, warmth, and silliness. Goes to show how little humor they must have had in their lives. Yet, in their way, Victorians were on the right track. Even today, if you watch as folks, especially children, walk by a planting of celosia, you will likely see a grin. Their quirky flowers do beg for attention. Touch the flowers; they are amazingly soft. The cockscomb or cristata types feel like velvet on the sides of the spike. Celosia plumosa are actually tens of smaller feathery-like spikes produced in a Christmas tree-like arrangement. These feather-like plumes are almost indestructible. They remain the same shape and texture even during severe storms. Stand in the rain and Celosia plumosa look exactly the same as they do shining in the sunlight.
NOMENCLATURE
Celosias belong to the amaranth family, Amaranthaceae. Look at the plumed varieties and the resemblance to Joseph’s coat amaranth is apparent. There are about 60 species of annual or perennial celosia. The three common forms of celosia belong to only two different species, Celosia argentea (aka cristata L.) and Celosia spicata.
CLASSIFICATION
Celosia argentea is comprised of two groups. Plumed celosia belongs to the Plumosa group, which bears fluffy, feathery heads composed of hundreds of tiny flowers. This group includes many All-America Selections Winners: ‘Fresh Look Red’ and its sister ‘Fresh Look Yellow’ (2004; both bear brilliant ten-inch-high feathers on 12- to 16-inch plants, producing new blooms around the old ones all summer – without deadheading), ‘Apricot Brandy’ (1981; apricot-orange plumes; 20-inch plant). ‘New Look’ won an AAS Award in 1988 due to the unique dark bronze foliage.
To many, the Cristata group, best known today as crested celosia or cockscomb, is suggestive of a highly colored brain – no gray matter there, just brilliant hues. Some varieties are wider than others; the narrow ones definitely are reminiscent of a rooster’s comb. The “crenellations” of Bombay mix (3 to 4 feet tall with 18-inch flower heads in 5 colors: purple, deep red, wine red, gold, and yellow gold) are very narrow and look like folds of elegant French ribbon – darker on the outside, lighter colored inside.
C. spicata, spiked cockscomb, is also known as wheat celosia for its narrow, spiky flower heads, reminiscent of heads of wheat. Unlike C. argentea, spiked cockscombs produce numerous flowers, with an almost shrubby look, in more muted colors. ‘Flamingo Feather’ is 3 to 4 feet tall with graceful spikes of rosy pink flowers and ‘Glowing Spears Mix’ makes a colorful deep wine, pink, and white 24- to 30-inch high hedge. Twelve-inch tall ‘Kosmo Purple Red’ bears numerous narrow wine-red heads (that start out feathery and mature to fanlike cockscombs) beautifully set off by the handsome foliage – bright green, washed with purple.
HOW TO GROW FROM SEED
Celosias are warm weather plants and take about 90 days to flower after planting. Like beans, they are not happy unless the soil temperature is at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. In cold winter areas, get a jump-start on the season by starting the seeds indoors four to six weeks before the last frost date. Celosias do not like to have their roots disturbed, so sow three or four seeds 1/4-inch deep in lightly moistened, sterile seed-starting mix in earth-friendly peat pots. Cover the pots with plastic wrap and put in a warm (70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit) place until the seeds germinate – 10 to 15 days. Remove the plastic daily to let the plants breathe. Spritz with room temperature (not ice-cold out of the faucet) water to keep the potting mix uniformly lightly moist.
Once the seeds have germinated, move the plants into the light. A sunny south facing window will do, but fluorescent lights are best. As the plants grow, move the lights so they remain about six inches above the tops of the plants. When the plants have two sets of true leaves (not the initial seed or cotyledon leaves), pinch out all but the strongest looking plant.
When the nighttime temperatures are above 55 degrees Fahrenheit, start hardening off the plants. Gradually introduce them to the outdoors, leaving them outside – in a protected area – for part of each day. Start out with four hours and increase the time outdoors by two hours each day. By the eighth day, they should be able to remain out overnight.
Unless you plan to grow celosias in a cutting garden, avoid planting them in soldierly rows. Tear or cut off any part of the peat pot that is above the level of the potting mix. Plant the pot so the peat pot is completely covered with garden soil. Follow the directions on the seed packet for spacing the plants, ten inches apart for small varieties – 16 inches for taller ones – is ample space for air circulation around the plants. Planted too closely, the plants may be stunted, with poor growth and smaller flowers. Water well.
In areas with longer summers, sow the seeds directly in the garden after all danger of frost has passed. Follow the directions on the seed packet for spacing. For best germination, wait until the soil temperature is at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Sow the seeds 1/2-inch deep and cover loosely with soil. Keep the soil lightly moist until the seeds germinate. Covering loosely with Reemay® or other spun polyfiber fabric can help maintain soil moisture. Remove fabric immediately after germination. Once the plants have two sets of true leaves, thin the seedlings to the recommended spacing on the seed packet, leaving the largest and strongest plants.
HOW TO GROW FROM PURCHASED PLANTS
Many celosias are available at nurseries, garden centers, and home stores in 4- to 6- plant cell packs. Purchase larger cell packs because they hold more soil. When purchasing the plants, look underneath the cell pack for any signs of roots emerging from the drainage holes. Avoid such packs, as the plants are likely root-bound and stressed. Check the roots, if possible, to see how tight they are in the cell. Look for healthy, well-colored leaves; examine them – top and bottom – for any signs of insects. Choose packs with vigorous plants growing in all cells, in soil that is not dried out.
Gently push up from the bottom of the cell pack to remove the plant; do not pull it out by the stem. If the roots are all matted together, make a vertical cut, one-quarter inch deep, through the root ball to encourage new root growth. Otherwise, gently loosen the soil around the roots. Set the plant in the ground at the same level it was growing in the cell pack. Water well. Set the plants 10 to 12 inches apart, or as directed on the plant tag.
Even though celosias will grow in poor, rocky or sandy soil, they will thrive in rich, well-drained garden soil.
GROWING ON IN THE GARDEN & GROWING IN CONTAINERS
Although the wheat celosias are almost bushy in appearance with numerous flowers, most plumed and crested celosias produce one large central flower and possibly several smaller flowers on side shoots. The tiny flower forms when the plant is small; as the plants grow, so does the flower. In the case of some of the large cockscombs, such as ‘Red Velvet’ that grows to 30 inches high with velvety crimson heads up to 10 inches across, the flowers grow so large that they make the plant top heavy, requiring staking. Otherwise, a heavy rain or wind can break the flower stem.
Celosias make beautiful container plantings – alone, or combined with other plants that like the same sunny growing conditions. Unless you grow a single plant in a container, plumes will be somewhat narrower than if they were planted in the ground. The key to a well-designed container is to include three plant forms: rounded, spiky, and frilly (or a plant that will spill over the rim of the pot and soften the edges). Plumed celosias fit the bill as spiky, and crested celosias as rounded. For containers, choose varieties that grow less than two feet tall, such as ‘Castle Pink’ (AAS 1990; plume; 12 to 16 inches tall; deep pink), ‘Prestige Scarlet’ (AAS 1997, crested; 12 inches; scarlet heads), ‘Coral Garden’ (crests look like coral reefs; 10 to 12 inches; mix of gold, burnt orange; deep cheery pink) or the newly introduced, ‘Ice Cream’ series.
Source: Texas Cooperative Extension, Texas A&M University @ aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu
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.
Class: Introduction to Prairie Plant Identification
Wednesday, July 1, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Join our accessible yet in-depth introduction to Wisconsin prairie plant identification. Learn about key plant features, shared family and genus characteristics, and tips to aid identification. Activities begin indoors then move outside for practice. Instructor: Micah Kloppenburg, ecological restoration outreach coordinator. Fee: $40. Register by June 23 for the June 27 class or June 28 for the July 1 class. Visit the website for the links to each registration.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Family Nature Walk @ the Arboretum
Sunday, July 5, 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
Olbrich After Hours
Turn up your Tuesdays at Olbrich After Hours, where the gardens stay up late and the good times roll in! Each week offers a fresh blend of live music, surprise pop-ups, crave-worthy food carts, and the perfect pour (think cocktails, mocktails, and brewskis). Stroll the gardens during the golden hour, soak in the sounds, and connect with inspiring eco-friendly groups making a difference for the planet. It’s summer – turned all the way up!
Concerts are FREE to the public; a $5 suggested donation is appreciated.
No tickets required. Please carry out all trash.
Olbrich Concerts in the Gardens 2026 Schedule:
(All concerts are on Tuesdays at 7 p.m.)
July 7
Smart Cookie—Smart Cookie is an ensemble of talented Madison musicians including former members of several MAMA award winning projects. Currently they are nominated for WAMI awards in R&B/Funk Band and Vocal Ensemble categories. The group has spent time in the studio crafting original material built on foundational drum and bass grooves, rooted in funk and soul, enhanced by percolating melodies and powerful vocals, with a pop sensibility that will leave you humming these songs well after the show.
July 14
The Burroughs—Hailing from Greeley, Colorado, The Burroughs are a high-energy 9-piece soul-funk band known for their “sweaty soul music” and electrifying live shows that turn crowds into one big dance party. Led by frontman Johnny Burroughs, the group blends blazing horns, deep grooves, and joyful, communal vibes to create nights of release, connection, and celebration.
July 21
Obi Original & The Black Atlantics—A powerhouse collective led by the enigmatic Obi Original. In their music, you can hear echoes of West African percussion, Caribbean rhythms, and the spiritual depth of the blues—all woven together into a tapestry of sound that celebrates the resilience and creativity of the African spirit. With each performance, they invite listeners to embark on a journey of self-discovery and collective empowerment, solidifying their status as one of the Twin Cities’ most exciting and essential musical acts.
July 28
Mariachi Monarcas de Milwaukee—Mariachi Monarcas de Milwaukee was born from a singular vision: to preserve, share, and elevate the rich tradition of Mexican mariachi music in the heart of the Midwest. The ensemble’s name draws inspiration from the monarch butterfly (a timeless symbol of migration, endurance, and transformation) reflecting the spirit of the immigrant community and the remarkable journey of carrying culture, language, and identity across borders.
August 4
Do The Needful—Chicago based music ensemble Do The Needful features Hindi vocalists, Indian flute, guitar/fuzz organ, electric bass, drums and percussion. The band interprets classic Bollywood anthems from the 60s and 70s through the prism of its myriad influences that includes not only Indian pop and Bollywood music , but also garage pop, surf, rockabilly, ghostly jazz, South Asian classical music and raw blues.
August 11
Brandon Santini—A 25-year veteran of the blues whose sound stretches from the Piedmont roots of his North Carolina childhood to the storied stages of Memphis’ Beale Street, where he forged his explosive harmonica work, commanding voice, and dynamic songwriting. With seven Blues Music Award nominations and shared stages with Buddy Guy, Gary Clark Jr., Beth Hart, and Charlie Musselwhite, he has earned his reputation as one of today’s leading modern blues performers.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
Olbrich’s Home Garden Tour
Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tickets are $15 for Olbrich members and $17 for the general public, $7 for children ages 6-12 and free for children 5 and under.
Situated along the Sugar River in the City of Verona, Olbrich’s 2026 Home Garden Tour will showcase specialized plant collections, upcycled art, creative hardscaping, and resourceful DIY gardeners! Navigate the tour route with ease and learn more about featured native plants, by using the Home Garden Tour app, accessible by QR code on the tour ticket. The Home Garden Tour app offers a digital option for exploring the garden tour including GPS features (it is not required to use the app to enjoy the tour).
Advance tickets available for purchase at Olbrich’s lobby thru July 9.
Tour day ticket sales July 10 & 11, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., 303 S. Marietta St., Verona, WI 53593 and 1310 Red Tail Dr., Verona, WI 53593
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
Nature Hike @ the Arboretum
Sunday, July 12, 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
Summer Sundays: Jazz in the Garden at Allen Centennial Garden
Add a little bit of musical enjoyment to your Sunday afternoons this summer with Summer Sundays: Concerts in the Garden. The concerts will be held Sunday afternoons starting June 7 and ending August 23 from 5-6:15 p.m.
This event is free and open to the public. Brought to you by the Friends of Allen Centennial Garden.
July 12: Betsy Ezell’s Canção Project
Betsy Ezell, vocals | Richard Hildner, guitar | Chris Rottmayer, piano | Nicholas Bartell, saxophone & flute | Nick Moran, bass | Wayne Salzmann II, drums
Music in the bossa nova tradition – an intimate Brazilian style of sophisticated elegance blending samba rhythms, jazz harmony, and cool understated vocals.
July 26: Peter Mathistad Jazz Quintet
Peter Mathistad- tenor sax | Frank McKearn IV, electronic valve instrument | Dan VanZeeland, piano | Ben Ferris, bass | Jim Huwe- drums
A high energy set of mostly original music weaving tasteful melodies with complex harmonies, an original voice in a post-bop lineage..
August 9: Madison Choro Ensemble
Josh Pultorak, drums | Peter Baggenstoss, piano | Julio Flores, guitar | Chris Ptasnik, cavaquinho | Tom Ross, cavaquinho | Nick Bartell, saxophone | Grant Ziolkowski, bandolim. Celebrating Brazilian choro in dance music of melodic intricacy and lively rhythmic sophistication—rooted in tradition, unmistakably modern.
August 23: Bill Roberts Combo
Bill Roberts, guitar | Joe Wallner, keys | Ben Schult, bass | Tommy Mattioli, percussion
Master guitarist Bill Roberts leads this groove-centered jazz-blues band of seasoned club veterans blending soulful swing, blues authority, and straight-ahead jazz fire.
Allen Centennial Gardens
620 Babcock Dr. on the University of WI campus, Madison
608/576-2501 or allencentennialgarden.wisc.edu/ for details.
Rotary Garden’s What’s in Bloom? Tour
Wednesday, July 15, 10:00-2:00
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 your spot for each month @ https://www.rotarybotanicalgardens.org/event-details/whats-in-bloom-garden-tours-2026-07-15-10-00 Spaces are limited.
Rotary Botanical Gardens
1455 Palmer Dr., Janesville, WI
608/752-3885 or www.rotarybotanicalgardens.org/
Dragonfly Walk @ the Arboretum
Wednesday, July 15, 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Join the Arboretum and the Wisconsin Dragonfly Society for guided walks to learn more about dragonflies and damselflies. Participants can practice identifying species and collecting data for the Arboretum’s dragonfly and damselfly (Odonata) monitoring project. No experience required. Please bring binoculars if you have them. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Walks take place monthly, June through September, but may be canceled for rainy or cool weather. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Olbrich Garden’s Blooming Butterflies Exhibit
July 15-August 9
Daily from 10:00-4:00
In the Bolz Conservatory
THE BUTTERFLIES ARE BACK!
Blooming Butterflies features up to 19 different species of free flying butterflies in the tropical Bolz Conservatory. Visitors make connections with these fluttering friends while learning about the butterfly life cycle. Two chrysalis cases provide opportunities to possibly witness a butterfly emerge from a chrysalis!
During Blooming Butterflies, the outdoor gardens spotlight relationships between plants and pollinators with an ‘I SPY’ Pollinators scavenger hunt. A pollinator themed children’s book is displayed as a StoryWalk along Starkweather Creek. And every child that attends Blooming Butterflies receives a coupon for a free junior scoop from our friends at Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream!
You can prepare for your visit by watching the Blooming Butterfies Welcome Video.
The life span of different butterflies varies from a few weeks to a few months. All flying butterflies live out their natural lives in the Conservatory, with food sources remaining for them after the exhibit dates.
Butterfly Action Day
Friday, July 31
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Join us for a special day with representatives from local organizations invested in butterfly conservation! Display booths and kid-friendly activities in the Learning Center will highlight what you can do to support butterflies. No cost to attend or participate, but there is a separate cost to enter Blooming Butterflies.
Bike Valet Parking & Tune Ups
Saturdays, August 1 and 8, 10:00-4:00
Bike to Blooming Butterflies and enjoy FREE bike valet parking and tune-ups courtesy of our friends at Dream Bikes. Plus, anyone who bikes to Blooming Butterflies throughout the exhibit will receive a stylish ‘Bike for Butterflies’ sticker.
The cost is $10 for adults, $6 for children ages 6-12, and free for children 5 and under. Olbrich Botanical Society members are admitted free. Parking is free. Bus tours are welcome; groups of 10 or more must register by calling 608/245-3648.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
Plants for Pollinators @ the Arboretum
Wednesday, July 15, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Garden Tour
Learn more about summer-blooming native and ornamental species in Arboretum gardens. Susan Carpenter, Native Plant Garden curator, will highlight plants and gardening practices that support essential pollinators in urban/suburban landscapes. Tour may be canceled for unsafe weather. 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
Allen Centennial Garden Tour
Saturday, July 18, 11:30-12:30
Tours feature Allen Centennial Garden’s many diverse spaces and reveal the gardener-sense behind each. Join the 45 – 60 minute tour for $5 per person. Tours will meet by the Southeast corner of the Agricultural Dean’s residence. Tours are free for Friends of Allen Centennial Garden members.
Allen Centennial Gardens
620 Babcock Dr. on the University of WI campus, Madison
608/576-2501 or allencentennialgarden.wisc.edu/ for details.
Family Nature Program: A Prairie Summer @ the Arboretum
Sunday, July 19, 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
Scenic Stroll @ the Arboretum
Sunday, July 26, 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
Family Nature Walk @ the Arboretum
Sunday, August 2, 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
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
JULY IN THE GARDEN-–A checklist of things to do this month.
___Pinch hardy mums until July 4 for bushier less floppy plants.
___Begin sowing and transplanting cole crops for fall harvest.
___Fertilize and mulch asparagus beds.
___Give the garden at least 1″ of moisture per week.
___Mow as little as possible and with mower raised to at least 2″.
___Mulch beds to conserve moisture and keep down weeds.
___Deadhead spent blooms as needed.
___Stake and support tall plants as needed.
___Cut spent perennials to the ground to encourage new growth.
___Divide daylilies as they finish blooming.
___Fertilize potted plants at least every 2 weeks. Follow directions.
___Order spring bulbs from catalogs while your memory is still fresh.
___Keep and eye on the weather. Water as needed.
___Watch for pests and control as needed or desired.
___Stop fertilizing roses by late July.
___Visit Klein’s—Watch for end of season savings on annuals, perennials & shrubs.
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 JULY:
—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.
—Yes, the poinsettias arrive and are potted up over a few weeks period. After a few weeks they are individually pinched for sturdy and bushy growth.
—Summer maintenance projects are under way.
—We transplant our fall cole crops into cell packs along with our fall pansies and violas.
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, online 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