‘THE SAGE’-Klein’s Online Newsletter—MAY 2023
Klein’s Floral & Greenhouses
3758 E. Washington Ave.
Madison, WI 53704
608/244-5661 or info@kleinsfloral.com
THIS MONTH’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Our 2023 Spring Plant List Is Now Online
Extended Spring Hours Begin Saturday, April 29
Our ‘Mad Gardener‘ and ‘Houseplant Help‘ Are Ready for Your Questions
Don’t Forget Mom This May 14!
Jenny’s Containers by Design Potting Service
We Reuse Your Teal-colored 5″ Klein’s Pots
It’s Asparagus Planting Time!
How to Improve Garden Soil With Amendments
Klein’s Favorite Seed, Bulb & Plant Sources
You Asked about Yellowing Fiddle-leaf Fig Leaves
Plant of the Month: Sweet Potatoes for the North
Klein’s Favorite Carrot Recipes
Product Spotlight: Organic Fertilizers and Plant Foods from True Organic™
Notes from Rick’s Garden Journal—From April 2023
—Home-brewed Compost Tea
—Growing Lettuce in Pots
—About Ramps–Our Native Wild Leek
May in the Garden: A Planner
Gardening Events Around Town
Join Us on Twitter
Follow Us on Facebook
May
“When you take a flower in your hand
and really look at it, it’s your
world for the moment. I want to give
that world to someone else.”—Georgia O’Keefe
CONTAINERS BY DESIGN
Custom Design and Potting for Your Outdoor Summer Containers
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 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. Contact Jenny at 608-244-5661 or customplanters@kleinsfloral.com for information or to place an order.
HAVE YOU MOVED RECENTLY?
If so, we ask that as we go into the busy spring season, you update your new address in association with Klein’s Rewards Program so you continue to receive all possible benefits.
In addition to occasional coupons, we’ve been mailing out birthday month postcards with an added gift during the past year or so and find that many are being returned with an invalid address. We don’t want you to miss out!
If your address has recently changed, please send your new information to info@kleinsfloral.com and please include your name and your old address as reference.
OUR 2023 SPRING PLANT LIST can be viewed online 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 2023 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***
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.
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.
Madison is currently NOT accepting rigid plastics (flower pots and trays) for recycling due to import restrictions enacted by China for scrap material. At present, there is no end market to accept the type of plastic scrap the mixed rigid plastic program produces. Until further notice, rigid plastics are to be placed in the refuse bins for disposal.
THE MAD GARDENER
Madison’s Firsthand Source for Expert Gardening Advice
Ask any of your gardening questions by e-mailing them to us at madgardener@kleinsfloral.com. Klein’s in-house Mad Gardener will e-mail you with an answer as promptly as we can. We’ve also posted a link on our home page and in our contacts for your convenience. Your question might then appear in the “You Asked” feature of our monthly newsletter. If your question is the one selected for our monthly newsletter, you’ll receive a small gift from us at Klein’s.
Sorry, we can only answer those questions pertaining to gardening in Southern Wisconsin and we reserve the right to leave correspondence unanswered at our discretion. Please allow 2-3 days for a response.
KLEIN’S ‘HOUSEPLANT HELP’
You can contact Klein’s in-house indoor plant experts by emailing to houseplanthelp@kleinsfloral.com for sound information and advice regarding indoor tropicals, succulents, blooming plants and so much more.
For many years, customers’ indoor plant questions have been directed to Klein’s Mad Gardener. Now you have the opportunity to contact our indoor plant experts directly. We’ve posted a link on our home page and in our contacts for your convenience. Your question might then appear in the “You Asked” feature of our monthly newsletter. If your question is the one selected for our monthly newsletter, you’ll receive a small gift from us at Klein’s.
We reserve the right to leave correspondence unanswered at our discretion. Please allow 2-3 days for a response.
MAY STORE HOURS:
Again during the 2023 spring season, Klein’s will open at 7:00 a.m. every Tuesday! Year long, Tuesday is Klein’s Senior Discount Day. On Tuesdays those 62 and over save an extra 5% off all regular priced items. Beginning Tuesday, May 2, we open the doors an hour early. Avoid the lines and shop early! The extended Tuesday hours last through mid-June.
Monday thru Friday : 9:00-7:00 (Open Tuesdays at 7:00)
Saturday: 9:00-6:00
Sunday: 9:00-5:00
Open Memorial Day, May 29, 9:00-5:00
Extended spring hours run through Father’s Day, Sunday, June 18.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
May 5–Full Moon
May 10–This is Madison’s average last frost date, but keep your eye on the weather before planting. Madison has a notorious reputation for late May frosts. Many local old-time gardeners refuse to plant, especially their tomatoes, peppers, morning glories, etc. until Memorial Day weekend when the soil has warmed properly. Novice gardeners have a tendency to plant too early!
May 14–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 13 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 14.
May 29–Memorial Day-the unofficial beginning of summer! Store Hours: 9-5:00
‘THE FLOWER SHOPPE’:
The weekend of Mother’s Day is THE busiest time of the year at Klein’s, far surpassing even Valentine’s Day. The showrooms bustle with not only shoppers looking for that perfect Mother’s Day gift, but also gardeners with cartloads of annuals, vegetables, perennials, seeds and garden supplies. Our retail cooler is filled to the brim with stunning spring arrangements for mom and buckets of loose cut flowers to create your own at home. An array of beautiful blooming plants makes your selection even more difficult.
Avoid the rush by shopping early. Call us 608/244-5661 to talk to one of our designers personally or order on line @ Klein’s Floral Delivery
Klein’s has it all for mom—”one-stop shopping” for floral arrangements, gorgeous hanging baskets and patio pots, interesting and whimsical garden ornaments or the ever-appreciated gift certificate.
Extra drivers will be on the road Friday and Saturday, May 12 & 13 for prompt and efficient service. Visit Delivery Information for more details about Klein’s delivery.
YOU ASKED. . .
I bought a large fiddle-leaf fig tree a few weeks ago and the leaves are turning brown. Would you mind sending some advice please? Fanny
Hi Fanny,
That’s unusual. Fiddle leafs are among the most durable of houseplants. It could be just acclimating….especially if the leaf loss is confined to the lower leaves. Fiddle leafs are trees in nature so eventually will lose their bottom leaves. When they are moved from a greenhouse to the lower light levels of a home/apartment, they need to drop foliage because they no longer need it. The lower leaves are sacrificed at the expense of new growth.
Do you still have it in the same grower pot? At the greenhouse we need to water our fiddle leaf figs almost every day because they are so root bound (and our floors are heated). Confined in those pots and with our longer days and active growth, yours might never get deep watered any longer. Perhaps the rootball has begun repelling your watering with the water running straight through or around the rootball. This is the perfect time of the year to step it up into a larger pot with fresh soil.
Thanks for your question,
DID YOU KNOW. . .
. . . that now is the perfect time to plant bareroot asparagus and so much more into your vegetable garden?
Asparagus: The vegetable is usually planted in mid April or early May when soil temperatures are around 50-60°F. It prefers full sun (six to eight hours) in a soil with good drainage and a slightly alkaline soil pH, which is great for southern Wisconsin, since most of our soils are alkaline. If you have sandy soil, I suggest getting a soil test, since some sandy soils are more acid. You can get one through the UW Soils Lab. They are located in Madison. Contact them for a soil testing kit at 608-262-4364 or visit their website @ Soil Testing for Homeowners.
Asparagus is planted as 1-year-old “crowns” (bareroot plants with buds at the top) in trenches about 6 inches deep and wide enough to accommodate the full length of the roots when spread out, plus a couple of more inches to give them extra space to spread. Space plants about 18 inches apart. Fill in the trench with soil; research indicates it can all be done at once instead of a little at a time. If planting more than one row, space the rows 4 feet apart.
Male plants yield 1.5 to 2 times as many spears as female cultivars since they don’t expend energy on producing fruits. Some popular male cultivars are “Jersey Knight,” “Jersey Prince,” “Jersey Gem” or the Canadian hybrid “Teissen.”
Don’t harvest spears the first year. You can harvest lightly the second year; research shows it stimulates more spears to form. Harvest when spears are 8 to 10 inches tall. You can snap them off near the base. The full harvest season is about six weeks; stop when spears are about pencil diameter. Leave at least some ferns standing in fall (you can cut them back about halfway) as research has shown this helps protect the crowns over winter.
Vegetable seeding: It should be safe around April 15 or so to plant seeds of certain cool-season crops, as well as onion sets and seed potatoes, directly outside in your garden beds if the soil has been worked up and is ready for planting. You may also now plant out seedlings of spinach, chard, mustards, kale and lettuce that you started inside, but you will need to cover them if frost is predicted. Seeds of crops like carrots, peas, turnips, radishes and beets should be planted outside instead of started indoors. If you plant too early, or in cold wet soil, seeds are likely to rot instead of germinating. That’s where an inexpensive soil thermometer that you can purchase at your local garden center or online can be really handy, because Mother Nature does not always run on calendar dates. Even though the date may seem right, the soil temperatures may not be.
Seed potatoes need a minimum soil temperature of 40°F to sprout. Beets, carrots, radishes, lettuce and spinach all need a minimum soil temperature of 45°F to germinate. Snow peas and sugar snap peas need a minimum temperature of 50°F to germinate. Temperatures are likely to fluctuate a lot for a while yet, so even if it is very warm for several days, remember that the weather often self-corrects and becomes cold again, so watch the weather reports for frost predictions.
Lisa Johnson, Dane County UW-Extension Horticulture Educator
Source: madison.com
Asparagus roots, bareroot strawberries, seed potatoes, onion sets and much more are located in coolers near our checkouts. Visit our website @ Klein’s Fruits & Veggies 2023 for available varieties.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT—Each month we spotlight some product that we already carry or one that we’ve taken note of and plan to carry in the near future. Likewise, if you would like to see Klein’s to carry a product that we don’t currently, please let us know. Our goal is to be responsive to the marketplace and to our loyal clientele. If a product fits into our profile, we will make every effort to get it into our store. In addition, we may be able to special order an item for you, whether plant or hard good, given enough time.
Organic Fertilizers and Plant Foods from True Organic™
“Replenishing the Soil Replenishes Us All…Good for Your Garden…Good for You”
How do you grow plants with blooming vitality, and fruits and vegetables bursting with flavor and nutritional value? It all begins with the best premium quality inputs.
Why Use True Organic™?
Trusted—For two decades, our parent company True Organic Products has been supplying organic fertilizer to some of America’s biggest organic farms. We’ve applied our agricultural expertise and knowledge as the worldwide leader in innovative fertilizers and packaged it for your backyard.
Tested—True’s commitment to your safety is unsurpassed. We invest more in R&D than any of our competitors, exceeding industry requirements for clean sourcing and testing for pathogens. Our expert team, staffed with PhDs in agronomy, microbiology, and farming, is constantly innovating to create better, more effective offerings as we search the world for raw materials that are healthier for people and planet.
Transparent—You deserve to know what you buy. That’s why we manufacture all our products in house and spell out each ingredient in our premium blends. From seabird guano and poultry manure to soy bean and fish bone meal, what you see is what you get – with a healthy helping of independent certifications to prove their benefit in growing plants that are both beautiful and bountiful.
True—We specialize in one thing: manufacturing the highest quality, ethically sourced organic plant foods and fertilizers, true to the way nature intended. We’re a group of people passionate about sustainability. In the face of climate change and biodiversity loss, replenishing our soil can play a vital role in sequestering carbon, improving water retention, and enhancing soil fertility. Because the more we give the soil, the more it gives back to us – with results you can see and taste.
True Organic offers more ethically-sourced, certified premium organic content than any plant food sold today – to regenerate the soil and produce healthier fruits and vegetables, from garden to table.
New in 2023 to Klein’s, we will be offering the following True Organic™ products:
All-Purpose Plant Food—For abundant organic fruits, flowers, vegetables, herbs, and foliage.
Tomato & Vegetable Food—For more nutritious and tasty tomatoes and vegetables.
Raised Bed Food—Use in raised beds to grow abundant organic fruits, flowers, vegetables, herbs, and foliage.
Berry Food— For more nutritious and tasty berries, including blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries that thrive in a low pH soil; also great for other acid-loving plants.
Blood Meal—Supports luscious foliage, gives plants a quick boost for healthy growth and builds the long-term wellness of your soil.
Bone Meal—High in calcium to help plants build strong cell walls and grow robust roots.
Liquid All-Purpose Plant Food—For abundant organic fruits, flowers, vegetables, herbs, and foliage.
Liquid Bloom Boost—Use in garden beds and containers to promote flowers and fruit.
Liquid Preplant Starter—Supplies essential nutrients to delicate seedlings and young starts, helping to ensure successful planting and vigorous establishment above and below the ground.
Liquid Tomato & Vegetable Food—For more nutritious and tasty tomatoes and vegetables.
Visit the True Organic™ website @ trueorganic.earth/ for detailed product information.
NOTES FROM MY GARDEN JOURNAL–Tips and Observations from My Own Garden by Rick Halbach
ENTRY: APRIL 13, 2023 (Home-brewed Compost Tea)
A customer and I had a discussion today about inexpensive natural fertilizers with the quickest results and I suggested she whip up a batch compost tea. Though there are many types of compost teas (some with elaborate instructions), I thought I’d share this very easy recipe found online a number of years ago.
How to Make Compost Tea
Compost tea is a liquid gold fertilizer for flowers, vegetables and houseplants. Compost tea, in fact, is all the rave for gardeners who repeatedly attest to higher quality vegetables, flowers, and foliage. Very simply, it is a liquid, nutritionally rich, well-balanced, organic supplement made by steeping aged compost in water. But its value is amazing, for it acts as a very mild, organic liquid fertilizer when added at any time of the year.
What is so wonderful about compost tea is that it can be made right at home from your own fresh, well-finished compost. The only requirement is that the compost you use is well broken-down into minute particles. This usually means that the organic materials have decomposed over a period of time so that their appearance is very dark with the texture of course crumbly cornmeal. Oh, and the fragrance is like that of rich soil in a forest.
Don’t have such compost yet? Well, dig deep down inside your bin, near the bottom. This is where organic material will be most decomposed and fresh. All you need is a good shovelful for a 5-gallon bucket of compost tea.
6 Good Reasons to Use Compost Tea
1. Increases plant growth. It is chock full of nutrients and minerals that give greener leaves, bigger and brighter blooms, and increased size and yield of vegetables.
2. Provides nutrients to plants and soil. The fast-acting nutrients are quickly absorbed by plants through their leaves or the soil. When used as a foliar spray plant surfaces are occupied by beneficial microbes, leaving no room for pathogens to infect the plant. The plant will suffer little or no blight, mold, fungus or wilt.
3. Provides beneficial organisms. The live microbes enhance the soil and the immune system of plants. Growth of beneficial soil bacteria results in healthier, more stress-tolerant plants. The tea’s chelated micronutrients are easy for plants to absorb.
4. Helps to suppress diseases. A healthy balance is created between soil and plant, increasing the ability to ward off pests, diseases, fungus and the like. Its microbial functions include: competes with disease causing microbes; degrades toxic pesticides and other chemicals; produces plant growth hormones; mineralizes a plant’s available nutrients; fixes nitrogen in the plant for optimal use.
5. Replaces toxic garden chemicals. Perhaps the greatest benefit is that compost tea rids your garden of poisons that harm insects, wildlife, plants, soil and humans. It replaces chemical-based fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides. And, it will never burn a plant’s leaves or roots. Finally, you save money.
6. Makes you a “Green Planetary Citizen”. Compost tea is just another way to feel good about respecting the earth in your own yard and garden. It allows you to be less a consumer of harmful products and more a resourceful gardener.
6 Easy Steps to Make Homemade Compost Tea
Step 1: Fill a bucket 1/3 full of quality finished compost
Step 2: Add water to the top of the bucket (non-chlorinated is best, or good well water. To dechlorinate water, allow water to sit in an open container for 24 hrs.).
Step 3: Let the mixture steep for 3-4 days. Stir it now and then.
Step 4: Strain the mixture through cheesecloth or other porous fabric (burlap, old shirt) into another bucket. Add the remaining solids to your garden or compost bin.
Step 5: Dilute the remaining liquid with water so it’s the color of weak tea (use a 10:1 ratio of water to tea).
Step 6: Use tea immediately for optimal absorption into the soil around plants.
Tea Making Tips
The following factors will determine the quality of the finished tea:
1. Use well-aged, finished compost. Unfinished compost may contain harmful pathogens and compost that is too old may be nutritionally deficient. COMPOST TEA and MANURE TEA ARE NOT THE SAME THING! Manure teas may be made in the same way but are not generally recommended as foliar sprays and are not as nutritionally well-balanced.)
2. Using well-made, high quality compost you can brew up a mild batch in as little as an hour or let it brew for a week or more for a super concentrate. A good median is to let the tea brew for 24-48 hours. When it begins to smell “yeasty” you can stop and apply it to your plants.
3. Recent research indicates that using some kind of aeration and adding a sugar source (unsulphured molasses works well) results in an excellent product that extracts the maximum number of beneficial organisms. This aeration is crucial to the formation of beneficial bacteria and the required fermentation process. For the simple bucket-brewing approach, simply stir the tea a few times during those hours or days it is brewing.
4. You can add all kinds of supplements like fish emulsion or powdered seaweed. This turns the tea into a balanced organic fertilizer.
How to Use Compost Tea
- As a root drench. Can be used unfiltered by applying directly to the soil area around a plant. The tea will seep down into the root system. Root feeding is not affected by rainy weather.
- As a foliar spray. Strain tea thru a fine mesh cloth (cheesecloth, burlap, even an old shirt). Then dilute it with dechlorinated water, if possible, or good quality well water. Use a ratio of 10 parts water to 1 part tea. The color should be that like weak tea. Add 1/8 tsp vegetable oil or mild dish-washing liquid per gallon to help it adhere to leaves. A pump sprayer or misting bottle works better than hose-end sprayers for large areas or for foliar feeding as they don’t plug up as easily. The beneficial microorganisms are somewhat fragile so it is important to note you should avoid very high pressure sprayers for application. Re-application after rain is necessary and one should avoid applying to the leaves during the heat of the day.
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ENTRY: APRIL 16, 2023 (Growing Lettuce in Pots)
A number of years back I received the following email from one of our customers asking about growing lettuce in containers. Given it’s mid-April and it’s lettuce planting time, I thought I’d share my experience with lettuce in pots.
“I would like to grow lettuce and spinach in a container. I’ve had mixed results in the past. I would like some tips for a successful crop.”
I, too, grow my lettuce in containers; saving my garden space for flowers. Spinach can be grown in containers but is more problematic in that the added warmth of container soil causes the plants to grow quickly then bolt and become bitter faster.
I use plain, old, cheap plastic pots at least 14″ across and 16-18″ deep. I use a bagged soilless potting mix available at all garden centers. Never use garden soil or heavy potting mixes (usually the cheaper kinds). I sow the seeds in mid-April for late-May/early June harvest. Leaf varieties will perform best (vs. bibb, romaine, head types, etc.). My very favorite is Seed Savers Lettuce Mix (available at Klein’s), though most leaf types work well. Many varieties have been bred specifically for container growing, so read the backs of the seed packets or google ‘lettuce varieties for containers’.
As for fertilizer, I fertilize whenever I fertilize my flower containers. Because you’re wanting the greens (not flowers), a high nitrogen or balanced fertilizer is best. I use the rate recommended on the package every two weeks. Never use a higher rate. If you prefer organic fertilizers, you’ll notice the results aren’t as fast as the alternatives due to the fact the necessary elements are present at a far lower level.
Lettuce is a spring crop so will begin bolting and turning bitter by late June and early July. If the weather heats up quickly in May and June, your harvests may come to an end even sooner. I put my containers where they get full morning sun and a break from the hot afternoon sun.
A crop for fall harvest can then be planted again in early August for harvest well into October.
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ENTRY: APRIL 28, 2023 (About Ramps–Our Native Wild Leek)
Each spring as ramps turn up in area CSA boxes, at local farmers’ markets or in specialty food stores we’re asked by Klein’s customers if we carry ramp plants to plant in their own garden or where they can find them.
Ramps (Allium tricocum) are a part of the onion family of plants with a delightful and strong garlic fragrance. Bulbs are smallish and when cooked have a sweet yet strong onion/garlic flavor. The leaves are also delicious and work well in mixed green sautés or on salads. Unlike onions, garlic or scallions, ramps have broad and flat leaves. Ramps are native to eastern North America, from the Carolinas north into Canada and west to the Mississippi.
Overharvesting of wild ramps has been a problem in many parts of their range. A few plants must be allowed to set seed for a population to continue. Ramps grow in woodland settings and are most often found on slopes.
Though there are many sources online for ramp plants/seeds, it appears that plants must be grown in ideal conditions for them to do well and therefore, very few home gardeners are able to grow ramps with any success.
KLEIN’S RECIPES OF THE MONTH—These are a selection of relatively simple recipes chosen by our staff. New recipes appear monthly. Enjoy!!
The very first of this season’s carrots are beginning to show up at area markets. It’s these very first jewels that are the sweetest of the season. The following is a selection of Klein’s favorite carrot recipes. Enjoy!!
LOW-FAT CARROT CAKE–This incredibly moist, healthy and easy-to-make cake was passed on to us from an employee’s mother-in-law so we don’t know the original source. The perfect carrot cake recipe and without all the fat.
4 cups (10 oz.) shredded carrots (not packed)
2 cups sugar
1 x 8 oz. can crushed pineapple with the juice
1 cup fruit puree (an oil substitute) such as Smucker’s Baking Healthy brand
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 cup shredded coconut
In a large bowl combine the carrots, sugar, pineapple, fruit puree, eggs and vanilla. Stir thoroughly to blend. Add the rest of the ingredients except the coconut and mix well. Stir in the coconut and spread into a greased 9 x 13″ baking dish. Bake at 325º for 50 minutes or until set in the middle. Cool on a baking rack and then frost.
Frosting:
8 oz. cream cheese
1 TBS. butter
3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 tsp. butter flavored extract
1/4 cup toasted chopped walnuts if desired
In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, butter, sugar and extract. Beat until smooth. Spread evenly onto the cooled cake and sprinkle with the nuts.
CARROT RAISIN SALAD–Another low-fat recipe! This delicious salad comes to us from ‘1001 Low-Fat Vegetarian Recipes’ by Sue Spitler
2 1/2 cups shredded carrots
3/4 cup chopped celery
1/3 cup raisins
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 cup mayo
1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1-2 tsp. sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
Combine the carrots, celery, raisins and walnuts in a bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir until blended. Chill. Serves 4.
CARROT PUREE–This easy side dish comes to us from an issue of Martha Stewart’s Everyday Food.
2 lbs. carrots cut into 2″ lengths (or use baby carrots)
coarse salt and pepper to taste
1 TBS. butter
1/4 cup sour cream
Cook the carrots as desired until very tender. As with mashed potatoes, blend the cooked carrots with the butter and sour cream until smooth and then season to taste. Serves 4.
BALSAMIC CARROT SALAD–A very versatile salad that can be served either chilled or as a warm side dish. It comes to us from the pages of Cooking Light magazine.
4 cups (2 lbs.) carrots in 1/4″ thick slices
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
2 TBS. balsamic vinegar (white balsamic if possible)
1 TBS. extra virgin olive oil
3/4 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 cloves minced garlic
Combine all ingredients and serve either immediately or allow to chill 4 hours or over night. Serves 8.
CARROTS FOR THE GRILL–A super easy side dish for chicken, pork or fish. Because it’s prepared in foil, clean up is a breeze.
16 oz. baby carrots or carrots cut into 2″ lengths
1/3 cup orange marmalade
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 TBS. butter
Prep the grill to medium-high heat or preheat the oven to 450º. Center the carrots in a 18 x 24″ piece of foil. Combine the marmalade, sugar and cinnamon and spread over the carrots. Top with the butter. Bring up the sides of the foil to form a large packet, leaving room for steam to circulate. Grill on direct heat 20-25 minutes or until tender or bake for 25-30 minutes in the oven. Serves 4.
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
MAY’S PLANT OF THE MONTH:
SWEET POTATO (Ipomoea batatas)
With slips due to arrive at Klein’s in early May, sweet potatoes are becoming increasingly popular in Wisconsin gardens and have become a staple in local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) vegetable shares.
Grow Sweet Potatoes — Even in the North
by Ken Allan, author of Sweet Potatoes for the Home Garden for Mother Earth News @ motherearthnews.com
An ideal staple crop for those seeking to meet most of their food needs with homegrown produce would be nutrient-dense, offer high yields, and have excellent flavor and storage qualities. A crop that fits this bill perfectly? The sweet potato.
Sweet potatoes are more nutritious and store better than any other root crop — they’re easy for home gardeners to keep for a full year. And while many people think of them as a Southern crop, you can in fact easily grow sweet potatoes in northern climates.
Five Facts for Fabulous Sweet Potatoes
1. Sweet potatoes are alive and they breathe. Never store them in a sealed plastic bag — the gases from their respiration will build up and the potatoes will eventually poison themselves. Paper bags or boxes are good for storage, or throw plastic tarps loosely over your crates of sweet potatoes. In fact, as long as you take care with the curing process (see fact No. 4) and store them at about 60 degrees Fahrenheit, you don’t need to cover sweet potatoes at all during storage (unless rodents could access them).
2. Do not toss or drop sweet potatoes into storage containers. When you dig them, they’ll be firm and appear indestructible — they’re not! A drop that is sufficient to crack an egg is sufficient to produce a tiny bruise on a sweet potato. After a few months in storage, that tiny bruise can turn into a large, rotten spot, which often ruins the entire potato.
3. Sweet potatoes are tropical plants and the storage roots (tubers) start to “shiver” at 50 degrees. Your refrigerator is probably set to a few degrees above freezing, which is a good temperature for carrots, apples and most juices, but not so good for tomatoes, bananas and especially sweet potatoes. At the cool temperature of your refrigerator (or in a supermarket cold room, where fresh fruit and vegetables, including sweet potatoes, are stored), a sweet potato will “shiver,” and in less than a day, the once living, breathing, healthy sweet potato will turn into a corpse. It will remain a good-looking corpse for a few days, but will then develop pockmarks and a hard core. The official name for this cause of death is “chilling injury,” and it’s thought to be the result of a change in metabolism that causes cell walls to no longer have proper control of what comes in and goes out.
4. Sweet potatoes need to be cured, starting on harvest day. To cure them, keep your sweet potatoes at 85 to 90 degrees for five days. During this time, the sweet potato will grow a second skin, which is an incredibly effective seal. After curing, you can leave a sweet potato on the kitchen counter for several months without noticeable moisture loss. Without curing, the sweet potato will only last a month or two in storage. Curing also initiates flavor development.
Providing proper curing conditions for five days may require some planning in advance. Think creatively about available spaces — a large closet with a 100-watt light bulb, a bathroom with an independent thermostat, or even a spare bedroom with a small electric heater. Keep your curing space at 80 to 90 percent humidity for best results.
5. A newly dug sweet potato is virtually tasteless — it’s definitely not a treat! A sweet potato doesn’t reach its flavor potential until it has been cured and then stored for a few months. Eat sweet potatoes when they’re new if you must, but don’t judge them until after New Year’s Day.
Hot Potatoes!
Sweet potato plants are, in most respects, undemanding. They prefer light, sandy soil, but will tolerate heavy clay. They respond well to rich soil, but can do surprisingly well in soil of low fertility. Sweet potatoes do best in sunny locations with regular rain or irrigation, but will mark time during a period of drought and then carry on when the rain returns. Excessive rain and flooding will slow them down, but won’t necessarily harm them.
Growing temperature is the only environmental factor that can’t be ignored — sweet potatoes like it hot! There are several critical temperatures for sweet potatoes, and I keep these temperatures straight by likening them to an old-fashioned report card. Because of chilling injury, a soil temperature below 50 degrees (50 percent) is a failure, and 50 to 55 degrees is dangerously close to the failure mark. Sixty percent, give or take a few percentage points, is an acceptable mark for a student not planning for higher education — and at about 60 degrees, the metabolism of the sweet potato slows to near zero, meaning it won’t grow. Temperatures above 70 degrees, as with grades, are conditions that allow growth: slow at 70 degrees, good at 80 degrees, very good at 90 degrees and excellent at 100 degrees.
Southern growers can wait until the soil warms up and still have time to grow a good crop of sweet potatoes. In Canada and the northern United States, June is the month with the longest, sunniest days, and although it’s an excellent growing month for crops that do well in 60-degree soil, it’s not so good for sweet potatoes — unless you get proactive.
Warm ‘Em Up
In order to grow sweet potatoes in the North (Zones 3 to 5), you can’t wait until July — you must make full use of June by warming up the soil.
The simplest and most effective way to warm the soil is to cover it with a sheet of clear plastic. If you were thinking black plastic when I said soil warming, you may have skipped right over the word “clear.” Yes, clear plastic. About 90 percent of the energy from the sun goes through clear plastic, where it’s then absorbed by the soil and trapped there by the greenhouse effect. On the other hand, when opaque plastic gets hot, only a fraction of the heat is transmitted to the soil, and the rest just radiates back into the air above.
Look for clear builder’s plastic (used as a vapor barrier) that’s about 8 1/2 feet wide. Cutting it down the middle will make two sheets, each just more than 4 feet wide. This is an ideal width for slightly raised, 2-foot-wide beds. Lay the plastic on the bed so that 1 foot remains on each side, then pull the plastic snug and bury the 1-foot edges down the length of the bed. It’s important that the plastic, like the bottom sheet on a bed, be pulled taut and tucked in. Placing heavy objects on the edge of the plastic here and there down the length of the row is good for a start, but it won’t be sufficient. If you only loosely apply the plastic, the moisture under it will turn into hot vapor that will then flow out from under the plastic, causing the soil to lose heat and moisture.
If you’re using clear plastic to grow sweet potatoes in a northern climate, you’ll have a couple extra steps when it’s time to plant your slips: Cut an 8-inch slit in the plastic, and press the soil down to make a shallow, bowl-shaped depression (1 foot in diameter) centered on the slit. Plant the slip through the slit, and water well. Place sand or fine gravel around the plant to cover the slit and to weigh the plastic down into the depression in the bed. This will seal the slit, and the depression will ensure that, when it rains, water will run into the bed at the base of each plant.
Some gardeners cite weeds as a reason for not using clear plastic mulch. If weeds survive under your clear plastic, though, it’s a sign you did something wrong. Plastic fit snugly on the bed with no vents to allow hot air to escape will create an environment too hot and too confined for weeds.
Builder’s plastic comes in heavy, medium and light grades. Light is the best for warming up soil because it lies tighter on the bed. Some gardeners are uneasy about using plastic in the garden because it’s manufactured from a nonrenewable resource. However, in my opinion, capturing the heat of the sun under clear plastic is one of the most worthwhile uses we can make of that resource.
Harvest Time
While for most growers the main event comes in fall, you can cut and enjoy spicy, tender sweet potato greens during summer. My neighbor from China likes to grow sweet potatoes mainly for their vine tips. Just be aware that excessive harvesting of the greens will delay tuber growth and decrease yields.
When fall arrives, your sweet potatoes will not “mature” — they will just slow down and eventually stop growing when the soil temperature drops below 55 degrees or the vines get hit by frost. In either case, it’s time to dig your sweet potatoes!
A broadfork is a great tool for digging potatoes. After digging, gently wash your tubers on the same day. I wash using just the spray from a hose, but you can also use a pail of water, wiping lightly with a rag or soft brush. Washing immediately after you harvest has the benefit of leaving garden soil in the garden, where it belongs (soil has sand in it, which will eventually plug your drains). Also, clean sweet potatoes are nicer to handle and easier to inspect. Next, cure them, store them, and wait a month or more for them to turn into the best sweet potatoes you’ve ever tasted.
Sweet Potato Varieties
Over the years, I’ve grown about 40 sweet potato varieties. I’ve found significant differences in color, texture, growth habits, yield and time to harvest. But for me, the most important consideration is flavor, and I’ve found no variety that is far superior to any other. Flavor depends much more on curing, storage and method of cooking than on the variety you grow.
‘Beauregard,’ the main commercial variety (available at Klein’s), is a good producer, has good flavor, stores well, has compact vines, and its tubers tend to grow close to the stem.
If you want to try something different, consider growing ‘Toka Toka Gold,’ a yellow-fleshed variety that’s drier, smoother, denser and milder than most. It comes from New Zealand, where it’s sometimes referred to as ‘Golden Kumara.’
‘Georgia Jet’ (available at Klein’s) is the most reliable variety for northern climates. Unfortunately, two quite different varieties are using that name. I think of them as the Real ‘Georgia Jet’ and the Impostor. The Real ‘Georgia Jet’ is the main commercial variety in Israel and the most popular variety among gardeners in Canada. The Impostor is widely grown in the United States, and while its flavor is excellent, the variety has a reputation for poor yields and cracking.
Klein’s is also carrying ‘Puerto Rico’—A classic “bunch” or “bush” variety, vine-less Puerto Rico is ideal for small gardens where large vines cannot grow and are an excellent container choice. These are just 18 inches long, with masses of baby bakers maturing in just 100 days. The potatoes have light red flesh that pales to yellow with ripening. Great yields on space- saving plants!
Simple Sweet Potato Slips
Unlike the standard potato, which is grown from tubers, sweet potato crops are started from “slips.” To create a slip, a sweet potato tuber is planted indoors or in a greenhouse — or stood up in a glass of water — to produce sprouts. The resulting sprouts are what you’ll plant outdoors, not the tuber. A slip can be a sprout directly from the sweet potato (see photo), or it can be a vine cutting from an already established sweet potato plant. You can order slips from mail-order suppliers, buy them at a garden center or grow your own.
To grow your own sweet potato slips from tubers, first place the tubers in water in early spring. When the sprouts form, break them off and plant them directly in the garden. Roots will form quickly. If you’d like to use a vine cutting, cut any sections from a long vine into 1-foot lengths, stand them up in a glass of water for two days to initiate rooting, and then plant them 1 to 2 feet apart with half their length below ground, half above. Soak your slips with warm water immediately after planting them.
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.
Rotary Garden’s Spring Plant Sale
Friday, May 5, 9:00-5:00
Saturday, May 6, 9:00-5:00
Sunday, May 7, 9:00-12:00
Shop a wide variety of beautiful plants. We have many veggies including an outstanding and unusual varieties of tomatoes & peppers, as well as herbs, perennials and woody plants, bagged mushroom compost, obelisks plus more!
Members save 10% off! Sign up during the sale and receive immediate savings! Proceeds from the plant sale support the mission of the Garden.
Rotary Botanical Gardens
1455 Palmer Drive
Janesville, WI,
608/752-3885 or www.rotarygardens.org
University of Wisconsin Family Gardening Day
Saturday, May 6, 10:00-1:00
April showers bring May flowers—and this opportunity to explore campus gardens, greenhouses, and related facilities. Visit the DC Smith Greenhouse, Allen Centennial Garden, Steenbock and BioCommons, and Wisconsin Energy Institute. Explore hands-on activities with seeds, plants and soil. Ask questions of Master Gardeners. Discover books for all ages about gardening, plants, soil, water and more. Take home plants and seeds for your own garden (while supplies last).
Visit the link below closer to the event for details regarding the activities that will take place at the the four campus locations…
How to Get Around Campus!
Free Campus Bus Routes
80, 81 & 82
Parking is Also Available:
Lot 17: 1550 Engineering Dr
Lot 20: 1390 University Ave
Lot 36: 1645 Observatory Dr
Lot 40: 1655 Linden Dr
Lot 41: 1820 University Ave
For more information, please visit the UW Family Gardening Day Facebook Page
Lilacs @ the Arboretum
Saturday, May 6, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Garden Tour
Established in 1935, the Longenecker Horticultural Gardens’ lilac collection is one of the largest in the country. Join David Stevens, garden curator, to explore lilac history, lore, culture, and color. 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
Full Moon Night Hike @ the Arboretum
Saturday, May 6, 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Walk
Let your eyes adjust to the moonlight, listen to the night sounds, and experience the darkness on this naturalist-led walk (full moon May 5). Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. Free. Register by May 2: https://arboretum-full-moon-night-walk-may6.eventbrite.com. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Nature Hike @ the Arboretum
Sunday, May 7, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Learn about the land, plants, animals, fungi, phenology, and ecology. Geared for adults, these longer walks may cover some sloping terrain. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Family Nature Walk @ the Arboretum
Sunday, May 7, 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
Sunset Garden Club Plant Sale
Saturday, May 13, 8:00-1:30
417 S. Midvale Blvd.
Join us for this annual plant sale.
Call 608/833-8315 for more info.
Crabapples @ the Arboretum
Saturday, May 13, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Garden Tour
With over 200 trees, the Longenecker Horticultural Gardens crabapple collection is the most up to date in the country. Learn why crabapples are the most planted flowering tree in the Midwest with David Stevens, garden curator, who will highlight some of his favorite selections. 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
Rain Garden Workshop @ Holy Wisdom Monastery
Tuesday, May 16, 10:00-2:30 p.m.
This workshop will cover benefits, considerations and design strategies related to rain gardens. The morning session will involve an indoor presentation with Q&A designed to give participants the knowledge and resources needed to install down spout or rain gardens of their own.
After lunch, we will roll up our sleeves and get some hands-on experience, working together on a rain garden install on the Monastery grounds. The afternoon portion is optional and space is limited. To be included in this part, check ‘I want participate in the afternoon hands-on garden planting’ when registering. If this checkbox is unavailable, this session has reached capacity.
This event is hosted in partnership with our friends at Clean Lakes Alliance, www.cleanlakesalliance.org.
Schedule:
10:00 am – Indoor presentation with Q&A, resource sharing
12:00 pm – Lunch
1:00 pm – Outdoor rain garden install (optional, space is limited)
12:00 pm – Lunch
1:00 pm – Outdoor rain garden install (optional, space is limited)
Cost: $25/person. Please register by May 2, 2023 @ holywisdommonastery.org/event/creating-rain-gardens/ . The afternoon session is limited and will close when full.
Holy Wisdom Monastery
4200 County Road M
Middleton, WI 53562
608-836-1631 or aalstad@holywisdommonastery.org
Dragonfly Monitoring Walk @ the Arboretum
Wednesday, May 17, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Family Walk
Join the Arboretum and the Wisconsin Dragonfly Society for guided walks to monitor dragonflies, including identifying species and collecting data for the Arboretum’s dragonfly monitoring project. No experience required, but an online training video is available by request (email jwhidden@wisc.edu). Recommended for ages 12 and up. Walks take place select Wednesdays and Saturdays into early October. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Rotary Garden’s What’s in Bloom? Tour
Thursday, May 18, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Rotary Botanical Gardens, 1455 Palmer Dr., Janesville, WI
Rotary Botanical Gardens Director of Horticulture, Michael Jesiolowski will provide a behind-the-scenes look at what’s blooming this month and answer any questions you may have.
What’s in Bloom? Tours take place on the 3rd Thursday of the month (April-September). The tours are free for RBG members, or $10 for non-members.
To register, please call 608.752.3885, sign up in person on the day of the tour or sign up @ https://rotarybotanicalgardens.org/event/whats-in-bloom-tour/2023-05-18/ .
Rotary Botanical Gardens
1455 Palmer Dr., Janesville, WI
608/752-3885 or www.rotarybotanicalgardens.org/
Friends of the Arboretum Native Plant Sale
Saturday, May 20, 10:00-2:00
U.W.-Madison Arboretum Visitor Center
Visit the big tent on the lawn near the Visitor Center to shop for all your native plant gardening needs. The annual plant sale offers more than 200 species of native grasses, woodland, prairie, and savanna plants, and trees and shrubs suitable for a variety of soil and light conditions, while supplies last. Organized by Friends of the Arboretum, open to the general public.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or uwarboretum.org/events
Badger Bonsai Society Annual Exhibit @ Olbrich Gardens
Saturday, May 20, 10:00-4:00
Sunday, May 21, 10:00-4:00
The Badger Bonsai Society will host their annual exhibit featuring trees from the private collections of club members. Explore the art of bonsai with this unique opportunity to view some amazing miniature trees and talk with the bonsai artists who grew and cultivated them. A wide variety, including conifer, deciduous, flowering, and tropical trees will be on display. Whether you are curious about bonsai and want to learn more or just have an appreciation for these living works of art, the exhibit is sure to have something for you. To learn more, visit Badger Bonsai Society on Facebook.
Bonsai styling demonstrations at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. both days, each with a chance to win a one-year membership to the Badger Bonsai Society. Free admission to bonsai exhibit and demonstrations.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
Dane County UW-Extension’s
Master Gardener Plant Sale
Sunday, May 21, 11:00-3:00
Dane County UW-Extension Office
5201 Fen Oak Ct, Madison (just off Agriculture Dr. between Pflaum & Femrite)
Each year, Dane County Master Gardeners hold a plant sale on a Sunday in the last half of May. The annual plant sale is the primary source of funds for the Teaching Garden, which includes the new greenhouse. Take a self-guided garden tour before or after the sale to discover new favorites, get ideas for your own garden, or simply enjoy the beautiful setting. You can learn more about the Teaching Garden here: https://dane.extension.wisc.edu/horticulture/teaching-garden/
The sale includes hundreds of perennials for both shade and sun, native plants, vegetable and herb starts, annuals, houseplants and more. Plant Health Advisors and other Master Gardeners will be available to answer your gardening questions. Plants are priced to sell. Now accepting credit/debit cards in addition to cash and checks.
Madison Area Master Gardeners Association
PO Box 259318
Madison, WI, 53725
608/224-3721 or at http://dane.uwex.edu/horticulture/
Nature Hike in the Wingra Oak Savannah @ the Arboretum
Sunday, May 21, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Learn about the land, plants, animals, fungi, phenology, and ecology. Geared for adults, these longer walks may cover some sloping terrain. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. Free, no registration required. Meet at Arbor Dr. parking lot, off Monroe St.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Learning Together: Birds in the Garden @ the Arboretum
Tuesday, May 23, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Family Class
We will share stories and create nature art and crafts. This class is for preschool-age children and their adult caregivers. Adults must attend. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come seasonally prepared for weather and insects. Fee: $20 per family/group of up to four people. Register by May 15 @ arboretum.wisc.edu/group-classes/learning-together-birds-in-the-gardens/ . Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Garden Stroll @ the Arboretum
Sunday, May 28, 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
Dragonfly Monitoring Walk @ the Arboretum
Wednesday, June 3, 12:00-1:30 p.m.
Family Walk
Join the Arboretum and the Wisconsin Dragonfly Society for guided walks to monitor dragonflies, including identifying species and collecting data for the Arboretum’s dragonfly monitoring project. No experience required, but an online training video is available by request (email jwhidden@wisc.edu). Recommended for ages 12 and up. Walks take place select Wednesdays and Saturdays into early October. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Dane County Farmer’s Market
Saturdays, April 15 thru November 11, 6:15-1:45
On the Capitol Square
Wednesdays, April 19 thru November 1, 8:30-1:45
In the 200 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
For details visit www.dcfm.org
Northside Farmers Market
Sundays, May 14 through October 29, 8:30-12:30
In the Northside TownCenter at the intersection of N. Sherman Ave. and Northport Dr. across from Warner Park.
The Northside Farmers Market is a nonprofit community enterprise. It is one of the newest and fastest growing farmers’ markets in Dane County. In keeping with the innovative spirit of Madison’s Northside, we are surpassing what defines the traditional farmers’ market. Our fundamental principles include:
–Providing an abundant selection of high quality, locally grown foods.
The market accepts Quest, WIC and Senior FMNP vouchers.
–Supporting our local agricultural entrepreneurs who are increasingly important today in ensuring that we have the best and safest food possible.
–Educating the community about traditional foods and the history of local agriculture in an attempt to preserve (and expand upon) our rich heritage.
–Promoting nutrition and the market by hosting dinners for neighborhood groups and seniors.
Parking is always FREE!
For details visit www.northsidefarmersmarket.org
MAY IN THE GARDEN-–A checklist of things to do this month.
___By May 1, cool weather items like pansies, cole crops, onion sets, etc. should
already be planted.
___Sow successive crops of radishes and greens every 2 weeks.
___Mow your lawn frequently and at a high setting to control lawn weeds.
___Reseed bare spots in the lawn as needed.
___Begin hardening off your seedlings and overwintered plants. Move inside or cover on cold nights.
___Prep beds as soon as the soil is workable and not too wet.
___Till compost into beds.
___Perennials, shrubs and trees can now all be planted safely.
___Divide and propagate most perennials as desired (except peonies & iris)
___Plant strawberries and asparagus early in the month.
___Plant your leftover Easter Lily into the garden. They’ll bloom each July in the garden.
___Be prepared to move plants indoors if a sudden cold spell (or snow) hits.
___After May 10, begin setting out all plants, but KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEATHER!
___Sow beans and corn after the last scheduled frost date.
___After May 20, begin planting warm weather items: tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, coleus, impatiens etc.
___Mulch beds as needed to cut down on weeds and watering.
___Begin a weeding as needed. The smaller the weed, the easier to remove.
___Prune spring blooming as desired AFTER they are done flowering.
___Wait until after the foliage has yellowed to cut back daffodils, tulips, etc.
___Begin pinching tall perennials like asters, goldenrod, phlox, etc. for shorter and bushier plants.
___Visit Klein’s—SPRING PLANTING IS FINALLY HERE!
Some of our very favorite seed and plant sources include:
For seeds:
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds @ www.rareseeds.com or 417/924-8887
Burpee @ www.burpee.com or 800/888-1447
Harris Seeds @ www.harrisseeds.com or 800/514-4441
Johnny’s Select Seeds @ www.johnnyseeds.com or 207/861-3901
Jung’s Seeds @ www.jungseed.com or 800/247-5864
Park’s Seeds @ www.parkseed.com or 800/845-3369
Pinetree @ www.superseeds.com or 207/926-3400
Seeds of Change @ www.seedsofchange.com or 888/762-7333
Seed Savers @ www.seedsavers.org or 563/382-5990
Select Seeds @ www.selectseeds.com or 800/684-0395
Territorial Seeds @ www.territorialseed.com or 888/657-3131
For bulbs:
Brent & Becky’s Bulbs @ www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com or 877/661-2852
Colorblends @ www.colorblends.com or 888/847-8637
John Scheeper’s @ www.johnscheepers.com or 860/567-0838
McClure & Zimmerman @ www.mzbulb.com or 800/883-6998
For plants:
High Country Gardens @ www.highcountrygardens.com or 800/925-9387
Logee’s Greenhouses @ www.logees.com or 888/330-8038
Plant Delights Nursery @ www.plantdelights.com or 912/772-4794
Roots and Rhizomes @ www.rootsrhizomes.com or 800/374-5035
Wayside Gardens @ www.waysidegardens.com or 800/213-0379
White Flower Farm @ www.whiteflowerfarm.com or 800/503-9624
BEHIND THE SCENES AT KLEIN’S—This is a sneak peek of what is going on each month behind the scenes in our greenhouses. Many people are unaware that our facility operates year round or that we have 10 more greenhouses on the property in addition to the 6 open for retail. At any given moment we already have a jump on the upcoming season–be it poinsettias in July, geraniums in December or fall mums in May.
IN MAY:
—Transplanting continues!! Early in the month we finish transplanting the seedlings for spring sales. But during mid-month we begin transplanting the plugs for our summer program. Customers continue to purchase bedding annuals through the summer months. Sometimes they’re replacing plants that have succumbed to summer heat or heavy rains. Or maybe some quick color is needed for selling a house or having an outdoor party. Whatever the case, we can fill their needs.
—The spring onslaught is in full swing. The back greenhouses are filled floor to ceiling with plants awaiting purchase. Our outdoor space is a sea of color. Flats of plants waiting for sale fill most nooks and crannies of our property.
—Watering is a nonstop endeavor. On hot, windy days, we no sooner finish the first round, when we have to start all over again. Some plants in our retail areas may need watering 3 or 4 times in a single day! You wouldn’t do this at home, but customers don’t like to see wilted plants. It’s not harmful for us to let them wilt a bit, but it makes for bad presentation.
—Restocking is also constant. Cart loads of product are moved nearly continuously from our back greenhouses to the front showrooms.
—Believe it or not, but our fall mums arrive! The small plants are put into small pots now and then stepped into larger tubs later in the summer. They won’t be available for sale until mid-August.
PERMANENT FEATURES–
KLEIN’S MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Have our monthly newsletter e-mailed to you automatically by signing up on the top of our home page @ kleinsfloral.com . We’ll offer monthly tips, greenhouse news and tidbits, specials and recipes. . .everything you need to know from your favorite Madison greenhouse. And tell your friends. It’s easy to do.
THE MAD GARDENER–“Madison’s Firsthand Source for Expert Gardening Advice”
Ask us your gardening questions by e-mailing us at madgardener@kleinsfloral.com. Klein’s in-house Mad Gardener will e-mail you with an answer as promptly as we can. The link is posted on our home page and in all newsletters.
We can only answer those questions pertaining to gardening in Southern Wisconsin and we reserve the right to leave correspondence unanswered at our discretion. Please allow 2-3 days for a response.
KLEIN’S ‘HOUSEPLANT HELP’
You can contact Klein’s in-house indoor plant experts by emailing to houseplanthelp@kleinsfloral.com for sound information and advice regarding indoor tropicals, succulents, blooming plants and so much more.
For many years, customers’ indoor plant questions have been directed to Klein’s Mad Gardener. Now you have the opportunity to contact our indoor plant experts directly. We’ve posted a link on our home page and in our contacts for your convenience. Your question might then appear in the “You Asked” feature of our monthly newsletter. If your question is the one selected for our monthly newsletter, you’ll receive a small gift from us at Klein’s.
We reserve the right to leave correspondence unanswered at our discretion. Please allow 2-3 days for a response.
TO WRITE A REVIEW OF KLEIN’S, PLEASE LINK TO
FACEBOOK
Follow Klein’s on Facebook where we post updates and photos on a regular basis.
TWITTER
Join Klein’s on Twitter where we post company updates and photos on a regular basis.
SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNT
We offer a 5% Off Senior Citizen Discount every Tuesday to those 62 and above. This discount is not in addition to other discounts or sales. Please mention that you are a senior before we ring up your purchases. Does not apply to wire out orders or services, i.e. delivery, potting, etc.
DELIVERY INFO
Klein’s Floral and Greenhouses delivers daily, except Sundays, throughout all of Madison and much of Dane County including: Cottage Grove, Deerfield, DeForest, Fitchburg, Maple Bluff, Marshall, McFarland, Middleton, Monona, Oregon, Shorewood Hills, Sun Prairie, Verona, Waunakee and Windsor. We do not deliver to Cambridge, Columbus or Stoughton.
Current delivery rate on 1-4 items is $7.95 for Madison, Maple Bluff, Monona and Shorewood Hills; $8.95 for Cottage Grove, DeForest, Fitchburg, McFarland, Sun Prairie, Waunakee and Windsor; and $9.95 for Marshall, Middleton, Oregon and Verona. An additional $3.00 will be added for deliveries of 4-10 items and $5.00 added for deliveries of more than 10 items. For deliveries requiring more than one trip, a separate delivery charge will be added for each trip.
A minimum order of $25.00 is required for delivery.
We not only deliver our fabulous fresh flowers, but also houseplants, bedding plants and hardgoods. There may be an extra charge for very large or bulky items.
Delivery to the Madison hospitals is $5.95. Deliveries to the four Madison hospitals are made during the early afternoon. Items are delivered to the hospital’s volunteer rooms and not directly to the patients’ rooms per hospital rules.
There is no delivery charge for funerals in the city of Madison or Monona, although normal rates apply for morning funeral deliveries to Madison’s west side (west of Park St.). Our normal rates also apply for funeral deliveries in the surrounding communities at all times. Although we don’t deliver on Sundays, we will deliver funeral items on Sundays at the regular delivery rate.
Morning delivery is guaranteed to the following Madison zip codes, but only if requested: 53703, 53704, 53714, 53716, 53718 and Cottage Grove, Deerfield, DeForest, Maple Bluff, Marshall, McFarland, Monona, Sun Prairie, Waunakee and Windsor.
We begin our delivery day at 8:00 a.m. and end at approximately 3:00 p.m. We do not usually deliver after 4:00 unless specific exceptions are made with our drivers.
Except for holidays, the following west-side zip codes and communities are delivered only during the afternoon: 53705, 53706, 53711, 53713, 53717, 53719, 53726, Fitchburg, Middleton, Oregon, Shorewood Hills and Verona.
During holidays (Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, etc.) we are able to make morning deliveries to all of the above areas. We are not able to take closely timed deliveries on any holiday due to the sheer volume of such requests.
It’s best to give us a range of time and we’ll try our absolute hardest. Orders for same day delivery must be placed by 12:30 p.m. or by 2:30 p.m. for Madison zip codes 53704 and 53714.
DEPARTMENT HEADS: Please refer all questions, concerns or feedback in the following departments to their appropriate supervisor. Phone: 608/244-5661.
Horticulturalist & General Manager–Jamie VandenWymelenberg jamie@kleinsfloral.com
Floral Manager—Sarah Sonson floral@kleinsfloral.com
Houseplant Buyer, Newsletter Coordinator—Rick Halbach rick@kleinsfloral.com
Purchasing—Megan Johnson megan@kleinsfloral.com
Owner, Floral Designer & Purchasing—Sue Klein sue@kleinsfloral.com
RELATED RESOURCES AND WEB SITES
University of Wisconsin Extension
1 Fen Oak Ct. #138
Madison, WI 53718
608/224-3700
Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic
Dept. of Plant Pathology
1630 Linden Dr.
Madison, WI 53706
Insect Diagnostic Lab
240 Russell Labs
1630 Linden Dr.
Madison, WI 53706
U.W. Soil and Plant Analysis Lab
8452 Mineral Point Rd.
Verona, WI 53593
608/262-4364
American Horticultural Society
Garden Catalogs (an extensive list with links)
Invasive Species
Community Groundworks
3601 Memorial Dr., Ste. 4
Madison, WI 53704
608/240-0409
Madison Area Master Gardeners (MAMGA)
Wisconsin Master Gardeners Program
Department of Horticulture
1575 Linden Drive
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Madison, WI 53706
608/265-4504
The Wisconsin Gardener
Allen Centennial Gardens
620 Babcock Dr.
Madison, WI 53706
608/262-8406
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave.
Madison, WI 53704
608/246-4550
Rotary Gardens
1455 Palmer Dr.
Janesville, WI 53545
608/752-3885
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888
University of Wisconsin-West Madison
Agricultural Research Center
8502 Mineral Point Rd.
Verona, WI 53593
608/262-2257
PLANTS POISONOUS TO CHILDREN:
Children may find the bright colors and different textures of plants irresistible, but some plants can be poisonous if touched or eaten. If you’re in doubt about whether or not a plant is poisonous, don’t keep it in your home. The risk is not worth it. The following list is not comprehensive, so be sure to seek out safety information on the plants in your home to be safe.
•Bird of paradise
•Bull nettle
•Castor bean
•Chinaberry tree
•Crocus
•Daffodil
•Deadly nightshade
•Dieffenbachia (dumb cane)
•Foxglove
•Glory lily
•Hemlock
•Holly berry
•Indian tobacco
•Iris
•Jimsonweed
•Lantana
•Larkspur
•Lily of the valley
•Marijuana
•Mescal bean
•Mexicantes
•Mistletoe
•Morning glory
•Mountain laurel
•Night-blooming jasmine
•Nutmeg
•Oleander
•Philodendron
•Poison ivy
•Poison sumac
•Pokeweed
•Poppy
•Potato
•Privet
•Rhododendron
•Rhubarb
•Water hemlock
•Wisteria
PLANTS POISONOUS TO PETS:
Below is a list of some of the common plants which may produce a toxic reaction in animals. This list is intended only as a guide to plants which are generally identified as having the capability for producing a toxic reaction. Source: The National Humane Society website @ http://www.humanesociety.org/
•Aconite
•Apple
•Arrowgrasses
•Autumn Crocus
•Azaleas
•Baneberry
•Bird-of-Paradise
•Black locust
•Bloodroot
•Box
•Buckeye
•Buttercup
•Caladium
•Carolina jessamine
•Castor bean
•Chinaberry tree
•Chockcherries
•Christmas berry
•Christmas Rose
•Common privet
•Corn cockle
•Cowbane
•Cow cockle
•Cowsliprb
•Daffodil
•Daphne
•Day lily
•Delphinium (Larkspur)
•Dumbcane
•Dutchman’s breeches
•Easter lily
•Elderberry
•Elephant’s ear
•English Ivy
•European Bittersweet
•Field peppergrass
•Foxglove
•Holly
•Horsechestnut
•Horse nettle
•Hyacinth
•Iris
•Jack-in-the-pulpit
•Jerusalem Cherry
•Jimsonweed
•Lantana
•Larkspur
•Laurels
•Lily of the valley
•Lupines
•Mayapple
•Milk vetch
•Mistletoe
•Monkshood
•Morning glory
•Mustards
•Narcissus
•Nicotiana
•Nightshade
•Oaks
•Oleander
•Philodendrons
•Pokeweed
•Poinsettia
•Poison hemlock
•Potato
•Rhododendron
•Rhubarb
•Rosary pea
•Sago palm
•Skunk cabbage
•Smartweeds
•Snow-on-the-mountain
•Sorghum
•Star of Bethlehem
•Wild black cherry
•Wild radish
•Wisteria
•Yellow jessamine
•Yew