‘THE SAGE’-Klein’s Online Newsletter—APRIL 2021
Klein’s Floral & Greenhouses
608/244-5661 or info@kleinsfloral.com
THIS MONTH’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Vote for Klein’s for Best of Madison @ https://www.channel3000.com/
Our 2021 Spring Plant List Goes On-line About April 15
Extended Spring Hours Begin Saturday, May 1
Introducing Klein’s Planters by Design Service
Our ‘Mad Gardener’ and ‘Houseplant Help‘ Are Ready for Your Questions
How To Hire a Wedding Florist
Improving Garden Soil With Amendments
Klein’s Favorite Seed, Bulb & Plant Sources
You Asked about Saving a Potted Calla
Plant of the Month: Garden Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Klein’s Favorite Arugula Recipes
Product Spotlight: Plantskydd® Animal Repellents
Notes from Rick’s Garden Journal—From March 2021
—Small Gardens for Small Gardeners
—Ajidamoo
—A Boost for Growing Healthy Legumes
April in the Garden: A Planner
Gardening Events Around Town
Join Us on Twitter
Follow Us on Facebook
IT’S SPRING SO….What did the DJ say to the Vegetable Farmer?…Lettuce Turnip The Beet🥬🌷😂
OUR 2021 SPRING PLANT LIST can be viewed on-line beginning about April 15 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 2021 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***
KLEIN’S ‘HOUSEPLANT HELP’
You can contact Klein’s in-house indoor plant experts by emailing to Houseplant Help 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 (see below). 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.
THE MAD GARDENER
“Madison’s Firsthand Source for Expert Gardening Advice”
Ask any of your gardening questions by e-mailing them to us at madgardener@kleinsfloral.com. Klein’s in-house Mad Gardener will e-mail you with an answer as promptly as we can. We’ve also posted a link on our home page and in our contacts for your convenience. Your question might then appear in the “You Asked” feature of our monthly newsletter. If your question is the one selected for our monthly newsletter, you’ll receive a small gift from us at Klein’s.
Sorry, we can only answer those questions pertaining to gardening in Southern Wisconsin and we reserve the right to leave correspondence unanswered at our discretion. Please allow 2-3 days for a response.
FOR NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS OR GARDEN TOURS that you would like posted on our web site or in our monthly newsletters, please contact Rick at (608) 244-5661 or rick@kleinsfloral.com. Please include all details, i.e. dates, locations, prices, brief description, etc. Events must be garden related and must take place in the Madison area.
APRIL STORE HOURS:
Monday thru Friday : 8:00-6:00
Saturday: 9:00-5:00
Sunday: 10:00-4:00
Extended Spring Hours Begin Saturday, May 1.
Monday thru Friday : 9:00-7:00
Tuesdays: 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00-6:00
Sunday: 9:00-5:00
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
April 1–April Fool’s Day
April 2—Good Friday
April 4—Easter Sunday
April 6—Spring Elections
April 10–First Outdoor Farmers’ Market at the Alliant Energy Center (due to COVID), 7:00-12:00. Madison’s Official Beginning of Spring! Visit dcfm.org/fresh/dcfm-will-open-
April 15—Tax Day (delayed until May 17, 2021)
April 18–Beginning of Administrative Professionals Week. In appreciation to those people who make your life so much easier, have one of Klein’s talented designers create for you that perfect ‘Thank You.’ Nothing displays your appreciation better than a lovely bouquet of spring flowers or a cheerful blooming plant. Order early.
April 21–Administrative Professionals Day
April 22–Earth Day
April 26–Full Moon
April 30–Arbor Day
May 1–First Day of Klein’s Extended Spring Hours. The days are longer and there’s lots to do in the garden. We make shopping easier to fit into your hectic schedule by offering extended retail hours during May. Evenings are a great time to shop at Klein’s. The greenhouses are cooler and the lines are shorter. It makes for a more relaxed shopping experience and our staff is more available to answer all your gardening questions. See April Store Hours above for more details.
May 9–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 8 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 9.
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!
‘THE FLOWER SHOPPE’:
How To Hire a Wedding Florist
Contact your florist once you’ve selected the date, time and place for your wedding and reception. If you aren’t familiar with the florists in your area, ask for recommendations from other brides, reception halls or churches. If possible, set up an appointment with the lead designer who will be in charge of filling the order for your wedding flowers.
Look through bridal books and floral guides. Sketch ideas, cut out pictures or take photographs of flowers you like and share them with your florist. Seeing your ideas and personal style will help your florist translate your concepts and special requests into workable floral designs and arrangements that are just right for you.
It will be helpful if you know the colors and style of the gowns you and your bridesmaids will be wearing. Bring pictures of your gown and the bridesmaids dresses, along with swatches of fabric if you have them available.
During your initial consultation with your florist, discuss specific design ideas that fit both your personal style and budget. Make arrangements for your florist to visit both the ceremony and reception sites.
The following are suggested questions to ask when consulting with a wedding florist:
•What are the current bridal styles and how do you see them being used in my wedding?
•What are some of the new and exciting flower varieties and are they available in the colors I have selected for my wedding?
•What flowers will be in season at the time of my wedding?
•What flowers are available that will be used to fill my order based upon my budget and color preferences?
•Do you have pictures of arrangements from other weddings you’ve done at my wedding ceremony/reception site? What size, shape and colors work best at my ceremony/reception site?
•Will there be sufficient staff to design the arrangements for my wedding and have them delivered on time?
•How will the flowers be handled, delivered and set-up, taking into consideration the weather constraints for my wedding?
•Do you preserve bouquets after the wedding?
•Is there an additional charge for delivery, set-up and servicing my wedding? How are these charges determined?
•Do you offer rental items (vases, urns, etc.) or do we need to rent them from another company?
•Are there any extra fees (delivery, set-up, sales tax, etc.)?
Please contact Darcy, Sue or Andrea at 608/244-5661 or floral@kleinsfloral.com to set up your consultation appointment. Dates fill quickly so plan early!
Source: Society of American Florists at www.aboutflowers.com
YOU ASKED. . .
I have been given 3 calla lily plants. I would like to put them all in one large flower pot. Is that a good idea? I would like to keep them as a house plant. Do they go through a dormancy period and will they re-flower again? Would it hurt them to be outside during the summer? Aileen
Hi Aileen,
Yes, you can put them all in one pot. Yes, they do need to go through dormancy. And, yes, they will rebloom for many, many years if happy. I’ve had some callas in the same pots for over 20 years and they get more beautiful each season.
I’m assuming you recently purchased your callas in bloom. The plants you purchased were forced into bloom. Blooming ones can be found year round for gift-giving or to brighten the home. Now those forced ones need to reset their clocks and get on their natural cycle.
While still green, plant your callas all together in your pot of choice…the snugger the better to induce future blooming earlier. Make sure the pot you choose has drainage holes. They shouldn’t bloom again this season (though flukes happen).
You’ll want to keep the greenery going as long as possible to feed the bulbs and help them root into their new home. Treat them as any houseplant. In mid-May, move your pot outdoors. Morning sun is best, but any bright location short of full, hot sun will do. Through the summer your plants will remain green. Leaves will wither occasionally and yellow. Simply remove those leaves once they detach from the bulbs.
Come September, move your pot to the garage and completely ignore it, allowing it to dry out thoroughly. This will send the bulbs into dormancy. In mid-October, remove the dried foliage. It should detach naturally and easily.
Move your pot to a cool, dark location. A room in the basement is best. Now you can completely forget about your pot until March, leaving it completely dry all winter.
In early March, move your pot to a warm location and begin watering as normal. Once shoots appear from the soil, move the pot to a bright location. By the time you put it back outdoors in May, you should have beautiful and lush new growth. In my garden, my potted callas normally bloom during June and July with occasional blooms all summer.
Thanks for your question,
DID YOU KNOW. . .
. . . that Klein’s offers custom design and potting services for your outdoor summer containers?
As we head into the long-awaited spring season our gardening plans can now be fully put into action. At Klein’s we grow a diverse range of annuals suitable for any growing environment, shade, part shade and full sun. In addition to growing our plants in your established garden beds, container gardening is a great way to liven up a patio, balcony or a corner of your yard that needs a little color. At Klein’s we offer many options to meet your container gardening needs. Available throughout the greenhouse and in perennial yard outside we feature pots of many shapes, sizes, and materials. Throughout the spring and summer, we will also have containers already assembled ready for purchase filled with annuals suitable for all growing conditions.
At Klein’s we offer custom container design for your existing containers. Please bring in your containers fully emptied of last year’s debris. If you would like us to dispose of the old soil and plant matter, there will be a $10.00 charge. Please check in with a staff member upon your arrival at the store and we will ask some questions to clarify what you are looking for in a custom container, budget range, light requirements, favorite plants and colors. We will contact you when your container has been completed and ready for pick up. Delivery is also available at an additional charge.
We look forward to hearing you! Contact Jenny at 608-244-5661 or customplanters@kleinsfloral.
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.
Plantskydd®
Animal Repellents
#1 most tested, #1 most effective and #1 longest lasting…Plantskydd® Animal Repellents are the most cost-effective, and environmentally safe animal repellents available.
Plantskydd stimulates a fear-based response which will have: Deer, Elk, Moose, Rabbit, Hares, Voles, Squirrels, Chipmunks, and other herbivores looking to dine somewhere other than your garden, nursery, orchard, or tree plantation.
6 Reasons Plantskydd is the #1 choice of professional growers, landscapers & foresters….
1. PROVEN
Over 30 years, Plantskydd has been proven by independent research to out-last and out-perform all other-repellents— up to 6 months over-winter!
2. EFFECTIVE
Plantskydd emits an odor that animals associate with predator activity, stimulating a fear-based response which results in animals looking elsewhere to dine.
Research has proven odor based repellents are more effective than other repellent systems. Animals avoid plants before they bite – not after!
3. RAIN-RESISTANT
Unlike other repellents, Plantskydd does not require re-application after rain or irrigation and provides the longest lasting over-winter protection of any repellent available.
Plantskydd’s long-term effectiveness is attributable to its tenacity in sticking to plants—even under severe snow/rainfall conditions—up to 6 months over winter, 3-4 months in spring/summer.
4. SAFE
SAFE for use in vegetable gardens, on fruit trees and food crops.
5. CERTIFIED ORGANIC
Plantskydd is the first animal repellent listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) for food production.
6. CONVENIENT
Plantskydd comes in 3 FORMULATIONS for maximum effectiveness and user convenience and Klein’s carries all three formulations!
Liquid/Premixed – With a quick application your plants, above 2 feet tall, will be protected all season long.
Granular – With our ready-to-use shaker bag or a spreader (for larger areas), quickly create a perimeter around plants to deter smaller critters. Works complimentary with
Liquid Premix for those extra pesky deer.
Powder Concentrate – To Protect larger areas, simply mix our soluable concentrate into your sprayers.
***AND A BONUS***
Plantskydd has a built in fertilizer (12 N) – leading to bigger, healthier plants.
For interesting and detailed FAQ information visit www.plantskydd.com/prodfaq.
NOTES FROM MY GARDEN JOURNAL–Tips and Observations from My Own Garden by Rick Halbach
ENTRY: MARCH 14, 2021 (Small Gardens for Small Gardeners)
Years back, my neighbor’s mother passed away and as she was going through her parents’ things (her dad had passed away some time earlier), she came upon a book called Small Gardens for Small Gardeners printed in 1910. I found it funny as I paged through the book how the perception of some plants has changed through the generations—for example a lawn of white clover was perceived as a beautiful and healthy lawn (which it is!!).
I found it especially sweet how this book perceived common chickweed. Since childhood, I’ve loved the smell of chickweed when I pull it from beds and I love the small white flowers. And by the way, it’s also quite tasty in salads!!
From the book Small Gardens for Small Gardeners:
“Down in the corner of any vacant lot, or in the yard against the house, is a dainty stray from the Arctic regions. Not everyone knows the extraction of the plant, nor its possibilities.
Its Latin name is stellaria, for its flower is a wee white star and every part of the blossom is star-shaped, but it is commonly known as chickweed. Take up a clump of it and set it in a jar or a hanging basket, and it will flourish in the house all winter, for it will stand almost any amount of cold. It may be taken in when the frost begins to come. Indeed, it has even been discovered fresh and enterprising under at least a foot of snow, so it is attainable at almost any time.
Set in a hanging basket, in a box, or along the edges of boxes in which other plants, within ten days it delights us with its delicate sprays of green, spangled all over with white stars. Even the seed, which grows in a long tube, is shaped like a star die.
Coming as it does from the coldest regions, it makes shift to grow and spread with amazing enterprise. Take it into the house, give it a little care, and there is no limit to the greenness that will reward you. It is such a strong little waif that if one gives it surroundings where it does not have to look out for itself but has its own food and water at hand, and no competitors to get rid of, it is lavish with its blooms and leaves. It shows steadfastness and persistence that in any man would enable him to accomplish much.
The chickweed has become almost thoroughly domesticated with us as the dog and the cat; it now chooses to live always in the vicinity of human beings. It is fortunate that plants will make friends with us and, being socially inclined, let us share in their preparations and enjoyments.
Give the winter visitor a little water every day or two. As has been said, it will stand the cold, sometimes living in a room where water freezes, and so does not require a great deal of attention. Whether it has deep soil or thin does not matter; it has overcome so many obstacles that it has learned the lesson of being contented with what it can get.
Wild flowers are more willing to drop characteristic habits and take on new ones than are cultivated plants, and one can do almost anything in the way of adapting and training them.”
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ENTRY: MARCH 27, 2021 (Ajidamoo)
ajidamoo: noun [Ojibwe]: one who descends trees headlong, i.e. chipmunk
As I was working at the computer today (in fact working on this April newsletter), I saw my first chipmunk of this spring season run past the the TV room patio door nearby. Chipmunks are a common sight in my garden and their burrows dot the yard. Though they do some damage to the garden (mostly digging up newly planted containers, planting seeds where they shouldn’t or breaking off the occasional tulip because they want to peer inside the cup), I find them irresistible and their antics entertaining. Fallen seed from my many birdfeeders draw them to and keep them in my yard; along with the dense foliage in my garden that offers them protection from predators. Neighbors have scolded me over the years for allowing them to thrive. In fact, I had one neighbor who ‘ridded’ his yard of over 40 in one summer. I, on the other hand, enjoy observing their playfulness, their ever-so-cute demeanor and non-stop and futile attempts to reach my birdfeeders.
Lively and speedy critters, chipmunks are small members of the squirrel family. Their pudgy cheeks, large, glossy eyes, stripes, and bushy tails have made them a favorite among animators, and landed them a series of starring roles in Hollywood.
Of the 25 species of chipmunks, all but one, Asia’s Tamias sibiricus, is found in North America. Ranging from Canada to Mexico, they are generally seen scampering through the undergrowth of a variety of environments from alpine forests to shrubby deserts. Some dig burrows to live in, complete with tunnels and chambers, while others make their homes in nests, bushes, or logs.
Depending on species, chipmunks can be gray to reddish-brown in color with contrasting dark and light stripes on the sides of their face and across their back and tail. They range in size from the least chipmunk, which, at 7.2 to 8.5 inches (18.5 to 21.6 centimeters) and 1.1 to 1.8 ounces (32 to 50 grams), is the smallest chipmunk, to the Eastern chipmunk, which grows up to 11 inches (28 centimeters) and weighs as much as 4.4 ounces (125 grams).
Chipmunks generally gather food on the ground in areas with underbrush, rocks, and logs, where they can hide from predators like hawks, foxes, coyotes, weasels, and snakes. They feed on insects, nuts, berries, seeds, fruit, and grain which they stuff into their generous cheek pouches and carry to their burrow or nest to store. Chipmunks hibernate, but instead of storing fat, they periodically dip into their cache of nuts and seeds throughout the winter.
Their shrill, repeated, birdlike chirp is usually made upon sensing a threat but is also thought to be used as a mating call by females. Chipmunks are solitary creatures and normally ignore one another except during the spring, when mating takes place. After a 30-day gestation, a litter of two to eight is born. The young stay with their parents for two months before they begin to gather their own provisions for the winter ahead.
The average life span of the Eastern Chipmunk is three years in the wild. In captivity they can live up to eight years.
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ENTRY: MARCH 30, 2021 (A Boost for Growing Healthy Legumes)
In a few short weeks it’ll be time to plant cool-loving peas and sweet peas in the garden and I realized that I’ve forgotten to add garden/legume inoculant to my list of supplies to pick up from work. Peas, sweet peas, as well as beans (which are planted well into May) are all legumes and help fix nitrogen into the soil. The following concise and simple explanation comes from http://www.gardeningknowhow.
“Peas, beans and other legumes are well known to help fix nitrogen into the soil. This not only helps the peas and beans grow, but can help other plants later grow in that same spot. What many people don’t know is that a significant amount of nitrogen fixing by peas and beans happens only when a special legume inoculant has been added to the soil.
What Is A Garden Soil Inoculant?
Organic gardening soil inoculants are a type of bacteria added to the soil to “seed” the soil. In other words, a small amount of bacteria is added when using pea and bean inoculants so it can multiply and become a large amount of bacteria.
The kind of bacteria used for legume inoculants is Rhizobium leguminosarum which is a nitrogen fixing bacteria. These bacteria “infect” the legumes growing in the soil and cause the legumes to form the nitrogen fixing nodules that make peas and beans the nitrogen powerhouses they are. Without the Rhizobium leguminosarum bacteria, these nodules do not form and the peas and beans will not be able to produce the nitrogen that helps them grow and also replenishes the nitrogen in the soil.
How To Use Organic Gardening Soil Inoculants
Using pea and bean inoculants is easy and simple. First purchase your legume inoculant from your local nursery (such as Klein’s) or a reputable online gardening website.
Once you have your garden soil inoculant, plant your peas or beans (or both). When you plant the seed for the legume you are growing, place a good amount of the legume inoculants in the hole with the seed. You cannot over inoculate, so do not be afraid of adding too much to the hole. The real danger will be that you will add too little garden soil inoculant and the bacteria will not take.
Once you have finished adding your pea and bean inoculants, cover both the seed and the inoculant with soil. That is all you have to do to add organic gardening soil inoculants to the soil to help you grow a better pea, bean or other legume crop.”
***Note that Klein’s sells Garden Inoculant from Olds Garden Seeds and merchandised along with our seeds in our retail area.
KLEIN’S RECIPES OF THE MONTH—These are a selection of relatively simple recipes chosen by our staff. New recipes appear monthly. Enjoy!!
Arugula (Eruca sativa) is an easy-to-grow European green with a very distinct and unique peppery flavor. Like most cool weather greens, arugula is most readily available in mid to late spring and then again in the fall (though its available in supermarkets year round). Arugula is delightful fresh in mixed salads, in soups or lightly braised. Braised arugula with olive oil and pine nuts is a simple and delicious sauce for over fish. Arugula is also known as rocket or roquette and is easily grown from seed just like lettuce or spinach. Klein’s also sells arugula plants available in late April or early May. Here are a few of our arugula favorites:
TOMATO & ARUGULA PASTA–A real treat for the arugula lover who wants something different from arugula than just a salad. This recipe appears in The Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook, 12th Edition.
16 oz. dried ziti or mostaccioli
2 medium onions, thin sliced
4 cloves minced garlic
2 TBS. olive oil
6 cups chopped tomatoes
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. crushed pepper flakes (optional)
6 cups arugula and/or spinach, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds
4 TBS. crumbled Gorgonzola or blue cheese of choice
Cook pasta per directions. Meanwhile, in a heavy saucepan, cook the onion and garlic in hot oil on medium heat until tender. Add the tomatoes, salt, pepper and pepper flakes. Cook and stir on medium-high for a few minutes until the tomatoes are warm and release their juices. Stir in the arugula and heat just until the greens are wilted. Serve over the cooked pasta, topped with the nuts and cheese. Serves 8.
ARUGULA PESTO–This is a WOW recipe appeared in Cooking Light magazine. It makes enough pesto for 1 lb. of pasta.
5 cups arugula
1/2 cup grated parmesan
1/4 cup + 2 TBS. toasted pine nuts
1 TBS. lemon juice
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 clove minced garlic
1/3 cup water
2 TBS. extra virgin olive oil
2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
In a food processor, process the arugula, parmesan, 1/4 cup pine nuts, lemon juice, salt, pepper and garlic until finely minced. With the processor running, slowly pour in the water and oil until well blended. Stir into 1 lb. of warm, cooked pasta. Serve, topped with the tomatoes and more toasted pine nuts. Serves 8.
ARUGULA & CUCUMBER SALAD–A light and refreshing salad from Everyday Food magazine.
4 TBS. red wine vinegar
2 TBS. extra virgin olive oil
2-4 tsp. honey to taste
1 tsp. ground coriander
coarse salt and pepper to taste
24 oz. cleaned arugula
2 medium cucumbers, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded and thinly sliced.
Whisk together the vinegar, oil, honey, coriander, slat and pepper. In a large bowl, toss together the arugula, cucumber and the dressing. Serve immediately or chill lightly. Serves 8.
ARUGULA, ENDIVE & RADICCHIO SALAD—A beautiful salad of mixed European greens! This one was the star of a Martha Stewart TV show years back.
2 small endive heads, thinly sliced
1 radicchio head, cored and thinly sliced
3-4 cups arugula
2 TBS. extra virgin olive oil
2 TBS. red wine vinegar
1 TBS. honey
coarse salt and pepper to taste
juice from 1/2 orange
Toss together greens in a large bowl. Whisk together oil, vinegar, honey, salt, pepper and the juice. Toss lightly with the greens and serve.
NATURAL NEWS–
How to Improve Garden Soil With Amendments
By Marie Iannotti. Reviewed by Barbara Gillette
Although garden soil seems ordinary, it’s actually a complex mixture of organic materials, minerals, and other nutrients. It keeps plants upright, channels water and air to their roots, and feeds their growth. The qualities that make for good garden soil fall into two categories: fertility and texture. Fertility is a combination of essential nutrients and a soil pH level that makes these nutrients available to plants. Texture refers to the size of soil particles, soil cohesiveness, and the soil’s ability to transfer water and air. If you have poor soil, there are certain steps you can take to improve its fertility and texture.
The best time to amend garden soil is when you’re first establishing a garden bed. In an existing garden, soil amendments typically are an ongoing task, even if it’s as simple as digging in some compost prior to each year’s plantings.1 If your plants are growing well, there’s usually no need to touch the soil. But if there’s room for improvement, it’s probably time to learn more about your soil and take action. Here’s how…
Evaluate Your Soil
The only definitive way to know your soil quality is to have it tested. Your local Extension Service likely provides this service for a nominal fee. Many nurseries also test soil. The soil report you receive will give you a wealth of information on your soil’s texture, pH, and nutritional composition. It will even offer recommendations on what amendments to use, and in what quantities, to correct any deficiencies.
You can make a guesstimate of your soil quality by looking at your plants’ health. If they are thriving, don’t fix what isn’t broken. But if your plants are yellowing or otherwise looking sickly, it could be worth testing your soil. It’s best not to guess when it comes to amending your soil because it’s difficult to identify exactly what it needs. For example, what appears to be a nutritional deficiency calling for fertilizer might turn out to be a pH issue.
Adjust the Soil pH
Soil pH is critical because plants can’t properly take up nutrients unless the acid/alkaline levels are in their ideal range. If a soil test shows your pH is off, you will get a recommendation to add either lime to raise the pH or sulfur to lower it. In an existing garden, this should be done in stages, so you don’t shock the plants.
It’s generally recommended that you don’t add more than 5 pounds of lime or sulfur per 100 square feet of the existing garden. If you’re creating a new garden, go ahead and add the whole recommended amount. Rake the lime or sulfur over the garden, and then dig it in thoroughly with a shovel or garden tiller. Check the soil pH every couple of years, as the sulfur or lime will get consumed and need to be replenished.
Adjust the Soil Texture With Organic Material
Proper soil texture is essential to allow roots to take up moisture and air. Dense, clay-type soils can remain too moist, causing roots to drown, while sandy soils can drain too quickly for roots to absorb moisture.
The best way to improve soil texture is by adding organic material, such as compost or peat moss. Decaying organic matter helps sandy soil by retaining water that would otherwise drain away. And it corrects clay soil by making it looser, so air, water, and roots all can penetrate. Plus, in all soils it encourages beneficial microbial activity and provides nutritional benefits.
Common forms of organic material to amend garden soil include:
-Compost: Compost makes an excellent amendment, and it’s free if you’re composting your garden waste and kitchen scraps.
-Manure: You often can obtain manure from local farms and stables. It should be composted until it turns dark, crumbly, and odorless. Besides the smell, fresh manure has too much ammonia and can burn your plants.
-Peat moss: Peat moss is cheap and works well to loosen soil. It’s also very dusty, so wet it first to make it easier to work with.
-Grass clippings: You can work grass clippings and other plant debris directly into a garden bed to decompose slowly. Be sure whatever you put down is free of seeds and hasn’t been treated with pesticides or herbicides.
-Cover crops: Also known as green manure, cover crops are grown on unused soil with the intent of tilling them in and letting them decompose. The roots keep the soil loose, and the plants suppress weeds. Cover crops from the legume family, such as clover and vetch, also add nitrogen to the soil. Cover crops are most often used for vegetable garden sites.
Add Nutrients
Many garden soils offer perfectly good nutrition, especially if they contain lots of organic material. But if a soil test or poor plant health indicates the need for more nutrients, you’ll have the choice between natural organic products or synthetic fertilizers.
Synthetic fertilizer has some pluses. It’s usually cheaper than organic fertilizer, and it acts more quickly. However, it doesn’t actually amend the soil; it just feeds the plants. And in some cases it might damage the soil with its high salt content. Meanwhile, organic fertilizers release their nutrients over a period of time. You won’t get an instant fix as you do with synthetic fertilizers. But you will get a longer, sustained feeding.
Fertilizers vary in nutrients. A complete fertilizer contains all three primary nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Plants have different nutritional needs, but in most cases a complete fertilizer will be the type to use. A soil test can make more specific recommendations on the fertilizer type and quantity. Follow label directions for the fertilizer application. Some granular forms are mixed into the soil, while water-soluble fertilizers are applied with a sprayer or watering can.
Tips for Improving Garden Soil With Amendments
Adding compost or another organic material is often the easiest way to amend soil. In some cases, a yearly application of compost might eliminate the need for all other forms of amendments. Plant-based composts are lower in salts than those containing decomposed animal manure. These composts are better for improving soil texture, though both do a good job of providing nutrients.
A surface mulch is not a true soil amendment, but it can serve that function if you dig it into the soil once it has broken down. An annual routine of digging in old organic mulch before applying a fresh layer can make for excellent garden soil.
Source: The Spruce @ https://www.thespruce.com
APRIL’S PLANT OF THE MONTH:
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Chives are among the earliest edible spring plants that we are able to harvest here in southern Wisconsin. All parts of this onion relative are edible; including the purple blooms, which are a lovely addition to fresh spring salads. This small-bulbed allium is easy to grow, as long as you have a sunny spot with good drainage. This herbaceous perennial can also be used as an ornamental in the landscape, and is particularly attractive when in bloom.
Chives, Allium schoenoprasum, is a species in the lily family (Liliaceae) that is native to Europe and Asia (and possibly North America, but there is some dissension on whether it is truly native or naturalized there). It has been cultivated in Europe since the Middle Ages, both for culinary and medicinal purposes, and as long as 4,000 years ago by the Chinese.
The plant grows in dense clumps of slender bulbs, each bulb producing hollow tubular leaves 8-20 inches long. The soft-textured, blue-green leaves emerge in spring before the plant blooms and will continue to produce new leaves throughout the growing season so the plant remains fresh-looking.
Chives are one of the easiest herbs to grow. They do best when planted in full sun in rich, well-drained soil, although they will tolerate light shade (flowering may be reduced) and most soil types. Chives can be harvested any time during the growing season after the leaves are about 6″ long. The leaves are often chopped into small segments to be used as seasoning or garnish sprinkled on the food just before serving. They are a common addition to baked potatoes, cottage cheese, omelets, salads and cream soups. Chives are one of the fines herbes of French cuisine (along with tarragon, chervil and parsley). They can be used immediately or stored under refrigeration for up to a week. Chives can also be frozen or dried for later use.
AROUND TOWN:
For neighborhood events or garden tours that you would like posted in our monthly newsletter, please contact Rick at (608) 244-5661 or rick@kleinsfloral.com. Please include all details, i.e. dates, locations, prices, brief description, etc. Events must be garden related and must take place in the Madison vicinity and we must receive your information by the first of the month in which the event takes place for it to appear in that month’s newsletter.
***Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, nearly all garden/plant related public events in the Madison area continue to be cancelled or postponed until further notice.***
Dahlia Tuber Sale
May 1 through May 11, 2021
The annual Badger State Dahlia Society’s tuber and plant sale will be online— the sale link will be posted on our Facebook, Instagram, and web sites [badgerdahlia.org]! The sale will run from May 1st to May 11 with pick up on Madison’s east side on Saturday, May 15. All items are $5. For questions about the sale please email us at badgerstatedahlias@gmail.
Dane County Farmer’s Market
Saturdays, April 10 thru TBD, 7:00-12:00
Temporarily at the Alliant Energy Center
For details visit www.dcfm.org
APRIL IN THE GARDEN-–A checklist of things to do this month.
___Continue bringing out your cooled forced bulbs for indoor enjoyment.
___Early in the month, pot up cannas and dahlias for early growth.
___Begin removing, cleaning and storing winter bird feeders.
___Begin your summer bird feeding regimen.
___Keep birdbaths full and clean.
___Repair and put out birdhouses. Put out nesting material like pet hair & fibers.
___Seed starting is in full swing and even winding down by the end of April.
___Sterilize seed starting equipment and pots with a 1:16 bleach solution.
___Shop for summer bulbs like gladiolas, lilies and dahlias.
___Prune late summer and fall blooming shrubs.
___Do not prune spring blooming shrubs like lilacs, forsythia or viburnum.
___Continue bringing in branches for forcing: pussy willow, forsythia, quince, etc.
___Increase fertilizer to full strength by month’s end (houseplants).
___Ready the lawn mower if you haven’t done so already.
___Start weeding your beds. It’s easier while weeds are small & the soil moist.
___Remove all winter mulch from beds.
___Remove the soil mound from around roses and mums.
___Lay soaker hoses in beds. It’s easy now without plants in the way.
___Cut back all remaining perennials and ornamental grasses left from fall.
___Begin sowing seeds of larkspur, poppies and hardy annuals in the garden.
___Plant pansies, violas and calendula into the garden and containers.
___Harden off your seedlings and wintered over potted geraniums.
___Repair lawns by sowing grass seed. Rake the lawn.
___Move cole crop transplants to the garden; broccoli, kohlrabi, cabbage, etc.
___Plant onion sets and early spring crops like lettuce, spinach, carrots, beets
___Begin planting perennials. Plant shrubs and trees.
___Visit Klein’s—the showrooms are filled with spring annuals.
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
Thompson & Morgan @ www.thompson-morgan.com or 800/274-7333
For bulbs:
Brent & Becky’s Bulbs @ www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com or 877/661-2852
Colorblends @ www.colorblends.com or 888/847-8637
John Scheeper’s @ www.johnscheepers.com or 860/567-0838
McClure & Zimmerman @ www.mzbulb.com or 800/883-6998
For plants:
High Country Gardens @ www.highcountrygardens.com or 800/925-9387
Logee’s Greenhouses @ www.logees.com or 888/330-8038
Plant Delights Nursery @ www.plantdelights.com or 912/772-4794
Roots and Rhizomes @ www.rootsrhizomes.com or 800/374-5035
Wayside Gardens @ www.waysidegardens.com or 800/213-0379
White Flower Farm @ www.whiteflowerfarm.com or 800/503-9624
A SEED STARTING PRIMER–
Starting your own plants from seed can be both rewarding and frustrating for the beginning gardener. From experience, it’s best to start out slow. This eliminates some of the frustration. Experience will gain you knowledge and confidence. Before starting your seeds, read the packet and get a little basic information. Some seeds are best sown directly in the garden come spring and not started indoors. It’s best to do a little research by going on-line or purchasing a good gardening book. The packets themselves will usually tell you whether to direct sow in the garden or how many weeks before our last frost date to sow indoors. Our last frost date is about May 10. Using a calendar, count back from May 10 and this will be your sow date.
One can start seeds on any sunny windowsill and in almost any container. Warmth and moisture are critical in getting most seeds to germinate. But a few pieces of basic and inexpensive equipment purchased at your garden center and/or hardware store will help you get started and make your seed starting experience a great success. Here is a shopping list:
*A heating mat–makes seeds germinate quickly and uniformly
*A few 10×20” trays without holes
*A few clear humidity domes
*A sterile seed starting mix
*A 4’ shop lamp w/ 2 fluorescent bulbs (you don’t need “gro-lights”)
or a seed growing rack if you’d like to make an investment
*A few 10×20” trays with holes
*A few sheets of empty cell packs, e.g. 4-packs or 6-packs
*A water mister
*A timer
*A soilless potting mix
All of the above items, except the timer, are available at Klein’s.
Again, following package instructions, sow the seeds, as many as you want, in a very shallow, open container, filled with moistened seed starting mix. This container can be anything from very low or cut off dairy containers to disposable food storage containers. Per package instructions, cover or don’t cover the seed. Some seeds require light for germination. Next place your seeded containers in a tray without holes, mist them till well watered and cover with a humidity dome. Place your covered tray on the plugged in heating mat under the shop light. Set your timer so the shop light is on for 13 hours (off for 11 hours).
In a few days, as your seeds begin to sprout, remove them from under the humidity dome and place in a well-lit, warm location. Keep your seeds and seedlings moist. Different seeds sprout at different rates so this can take from a few days to a few weeks. Once all your seeds have germinated, unplug your heating mat. You can now move all of your seedlings to under the shop light still set at 13 hours.
Once your seedlings have 2 sets of “real” leaves it’s time to “prick them out” (transplant them). Do this by placing a sheet of empty cell packs in a tray with holes. The holes now become necessary for proper drainage. Fill the cells with soilless potting mix and moisten well with the mister. Using a pen or pencil “dibble” a hole into each of the cells. This is where you’ll now place your seedling. Remove the seed starting mix and seedlings as a clump from their starting containers. Gently break apart this root ball, separating your seedlings. The pen or pencil will come in handy as an added tool to help separate the seedlings. Carefully place one seedling in each of the holes you put in the prepped cells. Gently firm in with your finger tips. Mist well to water thoroughly and place in a warm, well lit area. Using your shop light again makes this easy. The seedlings may seem weak and somewhat abused, but they’re very resilient and will pop back quickly. When watering, fertilize your new plants with a very dilute solution, rather than at full rate. By May 10 your flowers and vegetables should be ready to put in your garden and you can say that you did it yourself–beginning to end.
BEHIND THE SCENES AT KLEIN’S—This is a sneak peek of what is going on each month behind the scenes in our greenhouses. Many people are unaware that our facility operates year round or that we have 10 more greenhouses on the property in addition to the 6 open for retail. At any given moment we already have a jump on the upcoming season–be it poinsettias in July, geraniums in December or fall mums in May.
IN APRIL:
—Transplanting is in full swing on the transplanting line in our back greenhouses.
Employees work 8-10 hour shifts planting thousands of plugs and tiny seedlings into the cell packs you purchase in the spring. Once planted, the flats move by conveyor and then monorail into the various greenhouses, all kept at different temperatures depending on the plant.
—The greenhouses and showrooms are filling fast with thousands of hanging
and potted plants. We’re constantly moving product around, trying to make the best use of our limited space.
—Retail items are arriving nonstop for unpacking and pricing, everything from
garden ornaments and pottery to pesticides and fertilizers.
—Employees are readying the thousands of lilies, hydrangeas, azaleas, mums and spring bulbs that we deliver to the many area churches each Easter. We look forward to this time when the greenhouses are emptied to make room for our spring crops.
—Product is moved from the warmth of the greenhouses to the outdoors for the hardening off process. Plants are pinched back and moved outside so they can be acclimated for spring planting in your garden. Plants that have not been properly acclimated can find the transition to full sun and temperature extremes quite difficult. You’ve probably noticed that many garden centers do not harden off their plants properly. Symptoms include leaf burn and root rot.
—We’re readying the showrooms for the spring onslaught. Tables become fully stocked. Spring info and price signs are put into place. The last week of April is an amazing time to visit Klein’s. The showrooms are jam-packed, bursting with color, awaiting the spring rush which usually begins about May 1.
PERMANENT FEATURES–
KLEIN’S MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Have our monthly newsletter e-mailed to you automatically by signing up on the right side of our home page. We’ll offer monthly tips, greenhouse news and tidbits, specials and recipes. . .everything you need to know from your favorite Madison greenhouse. And tell your friends. It’s easy to do.
THE MAD GARDENER–“Madison’s Firsthand Source for Expert Gardening Advice”
Ask us your gardening questions by e-mailing us at madgardener@kleinsfloral.com. Klein’s in-house Mad Gardener will e-mail you with an answer as promptly as we can. The link is posted on our home page and in all newsletters.
We can only answer those questions pertaining to gardening in Southern Wisconsin and we reserve the right to leave correspondence unanswered at our discretion. Please allow 2-3 days for a response.
TO WRITE A REVIEW OF KLEIN’S, PLEASE LINK TO
FACEBOOK
Follow Klein’s on Facebook where we post updates and photos on a regular basis.
TWITTER
Join Klein’s on Twitter where we post company updates and photos on a regular basis.
SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNT
We offer a 10% 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.
RECYCLING POTS & TRAYS
Plastic flower pots and garden edging can now be recycled as part of the City of Madison’s rigid plastic program. Flowerpots and edging must be free of dirt and can be placed in your green recycling bin. For more information call 267-2626 or visit www.cityofmadison.com/streets/
DELIVERY INFO
Klein’s Floral and Greenhouses delivers daily, except Sundays, throughout all of Madison and much of Dane County including: Cottage Grove, DeForest, Fitchburg, Maple Bluff, Marshall, McFarland, Middleton, Monona, Oregon, Shorewood Hills, Sun Prairie, Verona, Waunakee and Windsor. We do not deliver to Cambridge, Columbus, Deerfield or Stoughton.
Current delivery rate on 1-4 items is $7.95 for Madison, Maple Bluff, Monona and Shorewood Hills; $8.95 for Cottage Grove, DeForest, Fitchburg, McFarland, Sun Prairie, Waunakee and Windsor; and $9.95 for Marshall, Middleton, Oregon and Verona. An additional $3.00 will be added for deliveries of 4-10 items and $5.00 added for deliveries of more than 10 items. For deliveries requiring more than one trip, a separate delivery charge will be added for each trip.
A minimum order of $25.00 is required for delivery.
We not only deliver our fabulous fresh flowers, but also houseplants, bedding plants and hardgoods. There may be an extra charge for very large or bulky items.
Delivery to the Madison hospitals is $5.95. Deliveries to the four Madison hospitals are made during the early afternoon. Items are delivered to the hospital’s volunteer rooms and not directly to the patients’ rooms per hospital rules.
There is no delivery charge for funerals in the city of Madison or Monona, although normal rates apply for morning funeral deliveries to Madison’s west side (west of Park St.). Our normal rates also apply for funeral deliveries in the surrounding communities at all times. Although we don’t deliver on Sundays, we will deliver funeral items on Sundays at the regular delivery rate.
Morning delivery is guaranteed to the following Madison zip codes, but only if requested: 53703, 53704, 53714, 53716, 53718 and Cottage Grove, 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 or 888/244-5661
Horticulturalist & General Manager–Jamie VandenWymelenberg jamie@kleinsfloral.com
Accounts, Billing and Purchasing—Kathryn Derauf kathryn@kleinsfloral.com
Delivery Supervisor & Newsletter Coordinator—Rick Halbach rick@kleinsfloral.com
Owner, Floral Designer & Purchasing—Sue Klein sue@kleinsfloral.com
RELATED RESOURCES AND WEB SITES
University of Wisconsin Extension
1 Fen Oak Ct. #138
Madison, WI 53718
608/224-3700
Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic
Dept. of Plant Pathology
1630 Linden Dr.
Madison, WI 53706
Insect Diagnostic Lab
240 Russell Labs
1630 Linden Dr.
Madison, WI 53706
U.W. Soil and Plant Analysis Lab
8452 Mineral Point Rd.
Verona, WI 53593
608/262-4364
American Horticultural Society
Garden Catalogs (an extensive list with links)
Invasive Species
Community Groundworks
3601 Memorial Dr., Ste. 4
Madison, WI 53704
608/240-0409
Madison Area Master Gardeners (MAMGA)
Wisconsin Master Gardeners Program
Department of Horticulture
1575 Linden Drive
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Madison, WI 53706
608/265-4504
The Wisconsin Gardener
Allen Centennial Gardens
620 Babcock Dr.
Madison, WI 53706
608/262-8406
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave.
Madison, WI 53704
608/246-4550
Rotary Gardens
1455 Palmer Dr.
Janesville, WI 53545
608/752-3885
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888
University of Wisconsin-West Madison
Agricultural Research Center
8502 Mineral Point Rd.
Verona, WI 53593
608/262-2257
PLANTS POISONOUS TO CHILDREN:
Children may find the bright colors and different textures of plants irresistible, but some plants can be poisonous if touched or eaten. If you’re in doubt about whether or not a plant is poisonous, don’t keep it in your home. The risk is not worth it. The following list is not comprehensive, so be sure to seek out safety information on the plants in your home to be safe.
•Bird of paradise
•Bull nettle
•Castor bean
•Chinaberry tree
•Crocus
•Daffodil
•Deadly nightshade
•Dieffenbachia (dumb cane)
•Foxglove
•Glory lily
•Hemlock
•Holly berry
•Indian tobacco
•Iris
•Jimsonweed
•Lantana
•Larkspur
•Lily of the valley
•Marijuana
•Mescal bean
•Mexicantes
•Mistletoe
•Morning glory
•Mountain laurel
•Night-blooming jasmine
•Nutmeg
•Oleander
•Philodendron
•Poison ivy
•Poison sumac
•Pokeweed
•Poppy
•Potato
•Privet
•Rhododendron
•Rhubarb
•Water hemlock
•Wisteria
PLANTS POISONOUS TO PETS:
Below is a list of some of the common plants which may produce a toxic reaction in animals. This list is intended only as a guide to plants which are generally identified as having the capability for producing a toxic reaction. Source: The National Humane Society website @ http://www.humanesociety.org/
•Aconite
•Apple
•Arrowgrasses
•Autumn Crocus
•Azaleas
•Baneberry
•Bird-of-Paradise
•Black locust
•Bloodroot
•Box
•Buckeye
•Buttercup
•Caladium
•Carolina jessamine
•Castor bean
•Chinaberry tree
•Chockcherries
•Christmas berry
•Christmas Rose
•Common privet
•Corn cockle
•Cowbane
•Cow cockle
•Cowsliprb
•Daffodil
•Daphne
•Day lily
•Delphinium (Larkspur)
•Dumbcane
•Dutchman’s breeches
•Easter lily
•Elderberry
•Elephant’s ear
•English Ivy
•European Bittersweet
•Field peppergrass
•Foxglove
•Holly
•Horsechestnut
•Horse nettle
•Hyacinth
•Iris
•Jack-in-the-pulpit
•Jerusalem Cherry
•Jimsonweed
•Lantana
•Larkspur
•Laurels
•Lily of the valley
•Lupines
•Mayapple
•Milk vetch
•Mistletoe
•Monkshood
•Morning glory
•Mustards
•Narcissus
•Nicotiana
•Nightshade
•Oaks
•Oleander
•Philodendrons
•Pokeweed
•Poinsettia
•Poison hemlock
•Potato
•Rhododendron
•Rhubarb
•Rosary pea
•Sago palm
•Skunk cabbage
•Smartweeds
•Snow-on-the-mountain
•Sorghum
•Star of Bethlehem
•Wild black cherry
•Wild radish
•Wisteria
•Yellow jessamine
•Yew