Written by Alex | April 6, 2017 | 2017 NewslettersNewsletterNewslettersWeekly Newsletters

Cottage Grove Open House this Weekend!

Newsletter 14 – Thursday, April 6, 2017

• PSSSTTT…• The Edgerton Easter Bunny & Egg Hunt• Bulb lovers unite…at our greenhouse! • The Cottage Grove Easter Bunny• Recipe: Parsley-Chive Biscuits

Cottage Grove location open hours

Mon-Fri 9-6
Sat & Sun 9-5

Edgerton location open hours

Mon-Fri 8:30-5:30
Sat 8:30-5:00
Sun 9-4

Lady’s Story – Chapter 36

“Are you getting on? Or am I sailing this baby out all on my own?” Click for Larger Image
Me and my mom have met so many happy people and, yep, happy dogs too, during our morning walks.  We just never know who we're going to meet from day-to-day!  There's something magical about getting out early.  The air is so fresh!  The aromas are so yummy, both for smelling and rolling in.  Sadly, my mom is too darn fast, it's like she knows when I'm about to roll cause she gives the leash a gentle tug.    (How do moms know things like that?)Oh, by the way, it's been 11 days of early morning walks and 3 more to go till my mom wins the bet with my dad.My poor, poor dad (aka Baby Cakes) is getting very, very nervous!Hmmm, but my mom, well, she's getting very, very excited.Gosh, I can't wait to see how this ends.I'll let you know next week!~Lady
‘Once you’ve had a wonderful dog, a life without one, is a life diminished.’Dean Koontz

PSSSTTT…

You may not recognize us this season!  We are NOT the same ol' America's Best Flowers in Cottage Grove!  WHAT?  You ask!  Well, we've been busy remodeling our retail area to better serve you, our customers.First, we added a new Floral Department which has fresh cut flowers, bouquets, and arrangements along with a delivery service to boot.Second, we streamlined our retail area.  Our hopes are that this will limit the wait time for you at the checkout!Yes, we have a new look, but  we are still the same family business that you've always counted on for your planting needs!This weekend may be the perfect time to check out our new look during our…

Spring Open House Weekend in Cottage Grove!

You’re invited to our special spring open house weekend! Come see what we have growing for you and check out our new 2017 varieties! We will provide a list of all new varieties including over a hundred annual varieties and lots of new fruits, vegetables, perennials, trees and shrubs.While you're here picking up your favorite plants and flowers why not get acquainted with some of our new plants?  You never know, they too, may soon become your new favorites.

Make a Colorful Spring Basket at our FIRST Workshop Weekend!

Sat & Sun, April 8-9; 10-2pm

Come on out to our greenhouse this weekend and create a colorful basket or container for spring!  Choose a variety of young plants (we have a greenhouse full), pick a spot in our customer planting area, get your hands in our luscious potting soil and plant away!Once your spring container is finished you can either take it home with you or for this one-time-only you may leave it at our greenhouse and we’ll give it all the love and attention (and water, of course) it needs.  We will care for your lovely creation up until Monday, May 22, however payment is due the day it is planted (April 8-9.) This is an early bird opportunity for you to plant a container for spring without worrying about the damage an early frost can bring.

Tune Up Those Gardening Tools!

Sat & Sun, April 8-9
9-3pm

Come in and sharpen your garden toolsCome in and sharpen your garden tools
Any seasoned gardener knows the struggle of working with tools that are dull or rusty and boy, is it a pain! Literally! It can really strain our bodies to make do and since we gardeners are a tough lot, we often don’t notice until our hand is throbbing in pain! Make gardening easier by getting your tools sharpened by a professional.Don, from Universal Saw & Tool Sharpening, will sharpen those dull garden tools, lawn mower blades, tin snips, and more for a nominal fee (collected by Don). Look for our signs in the parking lot directing you to the drop off area in Greenhouse #7.Don will be able to sharpen most items while you are enjoying your time at the greenhouse. For more difficult sharpening Don may need to take your items back to his shop. They may then be picked up at America’s Best Flowers the following week.
What do you get when you pour hot water down a rabbit hole?

A hot cross bunny

The Edgerton Easter Bunny & Egg Hunt

A cartoon bunny sitting on a pile of decorated easter eggsOur Pink Easter Bunny will be here!
Don’t forget your cameras!
The Edgerton Easter Egg Hunt is at our Edgerton location Saturday, April 8, from 10:00-2:00 PM.  Rain or shine!Bring the kids out for a day of fun and meet our Easter Bunny.We’ll have Easter Lilies and pots of spring flowers available for your decorating needs.
Why won’t Easter eggs go out at night?

They don’t want to get “beat up.”

Your Potato Salad Ingredients Have Arrived!

Seed PotatoesSeed Taters Click for Larger Image
Onion SetsOnion Sets Click for Larger Image
Our seed potatoes and onion sets have landed and they’re looking great! We have Russet Burbank, Red Norland, Red Pontiac*, White Kennebec, Golden Yukon, and Purple/Blue* seed potatoes and yellow, white, and red onions sets.*Note: Red Pontiac potatoes are only available at our Edgerton location and Purple/Blue potatoes are only available at our Cottage Grove location. All others are available at both locations.Cottage Grove – 608-222-2269
Edgerton – 608-884-8120 or Toll-free 888-287-1411
Q: What do you call a potato that is never motivated, but is content to watch others?

A: “Speck Tator”!

Coming Soon – Evergreen Trees and Shrubs!

Early Spring is the perfect time to get your evergreen trees and shrubs in the ground.  The cool weather provides your plants with the time they need to set down roots before the stress of summer heat.  We are expecting our deliveries next week and suggest you buy early as the most unusual and sought-after plants disappear quickly.
Dwarf Alberta SpruceDwarf Alberta Spruce Click for Larger Image
The Dwarf Alberta Spruce is a common, slow growing  pyramidal evergreen tree. Its perfect form and compact growth make it ideal  for an entryway, or as a focal point in your landscape.  Its fine texture and thick density make it a great tree for privacy in any area of your yard!
Hetz Midget ArborvitaeHetz Midget Arborvitae Click for Larger Image
The Hetz Midget is an attractive slow growing shrub that maintains its globe shape without pruning.  It has vertical sprays of tight, green, lacy foliage that works well in containers, rock gardens or as an accent in a mixed border. In the winter this shrub has bronze tones which is a lovely contrast to the white Wisconsin snow.
Q: What happened to the plant in math class?

A: It grew square roots.

Fresh Flowers and Plants!

Click for Larger Image
Click for Larger Image
These lovely arrangements (and more) are available in person, just stop by the greenhouse and grab and go!  Or give us a call and we'll gladly deliver!To order flowers or plants for delivery, for any occasion, just contact us at either our Cottage Grove location at 608-222-2269 or www.americasbestflowers.net or our Edgerton location at 608-884-8120 or 1-888-287-1411 or www.edgertonfloralandgarden.com.Please keep in mind that flower and plant selection may vary between our two locations.
If you think it’s hard to meet new people,

pick up the wrong golf ball on the course sometime.

Bulb lovers unite…at our greenhouse!

Click for Larger Image
Our summer bulbs have arrived!  Stop on out to get the best selection of gladiolus, lilies (Asiatic & Oriental), dahlias, elephant ears, tropicanna cannas, Peruvian daffodil, and Cape lily. You'll be amazed with the varieties we have!Wouldn't a variety of bulbs in an Easter basket make a great Easter gift idea?
What do you call a mischievous egg?

A practical yolker.

The Cottage Grove Easter Bunny

A cartoon bunny sitting on a pile of decorated easter eggsOur Pink Easter Bunny will be here!
Don’t forget your cameras!
The Cottage Grove Easter Bunny will be at our Cottage Grove location on Saturday, April 15, from 10:00-Noon.  Rain or shine!Bring the kids out for some fun and meet our Easter Bunny.While you are here why not pick up an Easter lily and pots of spring flowers to decorate your dinner table?Our Cottage Grove location will be accepting donations for the Cottage Grove Food Pantry.
What do you call ten rabbits marching backwards?

A receding hareline.

Dane Buy Local

Dane Buy Local
America’s Best Flowers has been a proud member of Dane Buy Local, a non-profit organization that helps promote small businesses in the Dane County area for years.  The benefits of shopping locally are many.  It’s not always possible to buy what is needed locally, but when we do it supports our communities, our neighborhoods and independently owned businesses.  For more information on the Dane Buy Local organization we encourage you to visit their website www.danebuylocal.com.
Why was the accountant so excited that he completed a jigsaw puzzle in only 59 weeks?

Because on the box it said 8-12 Years.

Employment Opportunity

Are you looking for a short-term seasonal job?  Do you enjoy people and flowers?We have a position available for a Greenhouse Production Associate.  The Greenhouse Production Associate is responsible for all aspects of plant maintenance including but not limited to: watering, moving, shipping, and disposing of all plants while maintaining the quality standards of America’s Best Flowers. Physical stamina is necessary for this position.We are in need of candidates who can work weekends and several days during the week.  This is a 40 hour per week position.If you are interested in either of these employment opportunities please email Marty Robbins at abfrobbins@yahoo.com or Betty Bless at abfbettyb@gmail.com.
The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large tray of bread slices. The nun posted a sign on the bread tray,

“Take only one. God is watching.”

Further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. One child whispered to another,

“Take all you want. God is watching the bread.”

Upcoming Events

Sat, Apr 8 – Sun, Apr 9Spring Open House
We have your all-time favorite plants plus a few new ones for the season and a HUGE selection of new pottery.
Sat, Apr 8 – Sun, Apr 9Universal Saw & Tool Sharpening (9-3pm)
Get your tools ready for easier gardening.
Sat, Apr 8 – Sun, Apr 9Create a Colorful Spring Container (10am-2pm)
and we’ll grow it for you! We will care for your creation at our greenhouse until Monday, May 22. Pre-Registration Appreciated
Sat, Apr 8Edgerton Community Egg Hunt – (10am-2pm)
Indoor – Rain or shine! FREE candy!
For children 6 and under. Bring your camera and have your picture taken with the Easter Bunny.
Sat, Apr 15Community Egg Hunt – Cottage Grove (10-Noon)
Indoor – Rain or shine! FREE candy!
For children 6 and under. Bring your camera and have your picture taken with the Easter Bunny. Accepting items for the Cottage Grove Food Pantry.
Sat, Apr 15Colorful Pansy Make & Take Container Garden (12-4pm)
FREE soil, slow release fertilizer and limited assistance with a minimum
$10 purchase per container. You create a beautiful container garden in our greenhouse and we’ll clean
up the mess. Bring in your own EMPTY pots or buy some of ours.

Our Kitchen – By Bev Wilson

 EXTRA, EXTRA,  if you have dull kitchen knives (non-serrated), Don, our professional sharpening expert, will be here this weekend during our Open House to sharpen them for you for a nominal fee. When I was searching for a recipe to share with you this week, I came across this one in my April folder.  My grandchildren and I made these in 2010 for Easter dinner.  It was so fun to make biscuits shaped like ducks, rabbits and butterflies.  The herbs worked into the dough give the biscuits such a springy look, as well as delicious taste. If you are expecting very many people, I would suggest you double it.  They go fast.

Parsley-Chive Biscuits

Best when served fresh and hot from the oven.
• 2 1/2 c flour• 2 T sugar• 4 t baking powder• ¾ t baking soda• ¾ t salt• 1/2 c butter (1 stick)• 1/3 c fresh minced parsley• 3 T fresh minced chives• 1 egg• 3/4 c buttermilk

Directions

Preheat oven to 400.Stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Using a pastry cutter or 2 knives, cut in butter until mixture resembles meal. Stir in parsley and chives.  Beat egg in small mixing bowl,  add 1/2 c of the buttermilk and mix well.  Using a fork, gently stir into dry ingredients.  Add remaining buttermilk as needed to make a workable, but not sticky, dough. Turn out onto floured surface, knead a few times and pat into ¾” thick round. Cut dough with decorative cookie cutters (pigs, bunnies, lambs, etc.) or a biscuit cutter. Re-roll leftover dough, taking care not to incorporate too much flour. Bake on sprayed baking sheet for 10 – 12 minutes, depending on the size of your biscuits, or until golden brown.Makes 12 – 15 biscuits.
SEE YOU SOON!!!