Written by Alex | March 5, 2015 | 2015 NewslettersNewsletter Tags: flowers, Gardening, jokes, recipies, stories
Come Buy Your Seeds!
Newsletter 3 – Thursday, March 5, 2015
- Miniature Gardens are BIG at Americas Best Flowers!
- We have seeds…lots and lots of seeds!
- We make seed planting easy!
- New Products Corner
- Force those Blooms!
- Classic Brand Bird Feeders
- More for the birds!
- Americas Best Flowers Fundraising Program
- Online auctions are fun and exciting!
- Recipe: Salami Roll Ups
Current Hours
Cottage Grove location open
9am – 5pm, Monday through Friday
9am -5pm Saturday
We are currently closed on Sundays.
Edgerton location open
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm, Sat 8:30am-5pm, Sun 9am-4pm
Lucys Story – Chapter 81
It is with heavy hearts that Hubby and I announce the passing of our sweet Lucy.
The void in our lives is unmistakable. The ache in our hearts is unimaginable.
We had so many amazing years with her. Laughing, teasing, playing, and snuggling all the wonderful things that families do together. These memories are absolutely priceless to us.
We dont remember days, we remember moments!
~Cesare Pavese
Through our years together Lucy kept a journal filled with snippets of this and that, noting many of our hilarious moments together, along with her sweet thoughts, views, opinions and feelings.
We would like to continue sharing Lucys Story with notes from her journal. Hubby and I feel that that would be a special way to keep her memory alive. We hope that you will feel the same.
If you would care to honor Lucy please consider a donation, in memory of Lucy (Aldrich) Cimino, to either the Dane County Humane Society, www.giveshelter.org or to Angels Wish www.angelswish.org.
Angels Wish is the organization where Lucy and I met 10 wonderful years ago.
If you would care to send Hubby and me a personal note please email us, Dan and Shirley, at abfscimino@yahoo.com.
Till next time!
~Lucys Mom
Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.
Dr. Seuss
Miniature Gardens are BIG at Americas Best Flowers!
Are you eager to get your hands in some dirt again? Are you chomping at the bit to plant something? Well, we think we have the perfect solution for your potting soil withdrawal. Come on out and plant a miniature garden and/or a succulent garden at our greenhouse.
We have a vast selection of miniature garden plants, tiny garden accessories and succulents. Let your imagination take over and create your very own miniature wonderland.
You are welcome to bring in your empty container from home or purchase one of ours, but all accessories must be purchased at Americas Best Flowers.
We have a designated planting area all set up for you. When you buy your supplies here and plant them at our greenhouse we not only provide free potting soil for your creations, but we also clean up the mess!
A car mechanic received a repair order that said to check for a clanking noise when going around corners so he took the car out for a test drive and made a right turn, then a left turn, each time hearing a loud clunk.
When he arrived back at the garage he returned the car to the service manager with this note: ‘Removed bowling ball from trunk.’
We have seeds…lots and lots of seeds!
Its never too early to start planning for this seasons garden. If you are planning a vegetable, herb or flower garden, bring your seed list out to either our Cottage Grove or Edgerton location. We have a huge selection of Livingston seeds for you to choose from.
We make seed planting easy!
To help with your seed planting project, we have two types of seed starting trays available from Hsu, a Wisconsin based company.
- The Flower and Vegetable Seed Starter Kit, which is filled with Hsu Professional Potting Soil
- The Organic Seed Starter Kit, which is filled with Organic Rice Hull Potting Soil
Both are a 32 cell insert and watering tray. Just lightly moisten the soil, pop in 1-2 seeds in each cell, in the depth directed by the seed package, and cover with soil. Place in a sunny, warm area. Mist with water to keep soil moist. Stand back and watch them grow. Then transplant when and where appropriate.
While supply lasts, take advantage of our $1.50 off coupon, on the purchase of two seed starter kits. This coupon is good through March 31, 2015 and is valid at both of our locations.
New Products Corner
Living in Wisconsin we know that spring will eventually arrive. And with spring comes mud! Let us help you control the mess! We have two new product lines to tackle dirty footprints.
The Jellybean fashion, 21x 33, rugs will brighten up both your indoor or outdoor entryway. These bright and bold colorful rugs are machine washable. These durable rugs are 100% polyester with 35% of the material being recycled post-consumer PET plastic. These rugs hold up to multiple washings and are available in a wide assortment of designs and colors. We have tested these rugs ourselves and washed them several times with excellent results.
Robert Allen Home and Garden door mats are made of all natural coir fiber. These colorful door mats are available in decorative styles and colors to welcome your guests at your door. This 18"x30" rug has a no slip pvc backing. The hand painted designs are bright and bold. A simple shake to remove dirt and debris makes them long-lasting. Switch them out with the seasons!
Laughter is an instant vacation.
Milton Berle
Force those Blooms!
If you are an avid gardener like me, Im sure you are getting antsy about getting outside and getting in the dirt. Since the ground is still frozen, here is something you can do to bring the outdoors in. Many Spring blooming shrubs can be forced to bloom early for you inside your home. Forsythia branches tend to be the easiest and most common.
The only equipment you need is a sharp pair of pruning shears, warm water and a vase. You want to pick a day when the temperature is above freezing, or at least a few hours above freezing. Cut the forsythia stems in lengths of less than 3 feet and bring them inside. Place the stems in a bucket or vase of warm water. With your pruning shears, cut another inch off the bottoms of the submerged stems. Allow the forsythia stems to soak up the warm water for several hours. After a few hours, or about when the water is cooled, dump out the water and replace with fresh warm water. Make sure to re-cut the stems again at this time.
To speed up the process, place in a high-humidity environment or mist branches daily and place where the branches will get some sun.
Doctor Dermot Reid from Fareham in Hampshire, England, was famous in South Hants for always catching large fish and for winning fishing trophies.
One day while he was on one of his frequent fishing trips in the Test Valley he got a call that a woman at Cropper’s Farm was giving birth. He hurried to her aid and delivered a healthy baby boy.
The farmer had nothing to weigh the baby with so Doctor Reid used his fishing scales. The baby weighed 22 lbs 10 oz …………
Classic Brand Bird Feeders
Classic Brands bird feeders are made by people who are passionate about birds. Their goal is to develop quality bird products that will bring more birds and more joy into your yard.
People like these bird feeders because they are easy to fill and easy to clean. Birds like them because its easy for them to get the food and the larger perches make it much more comfortable for them. How do we know that? Lets just say a little birdie told us!
More for the birds!
You can make it a happy, hardy, and healthy season for our feathered friends. We have gift boxed hanging BirdieWreaths, from Pine Tree Farms. This featured wreath will serve up a feast of black oil sunflower, peanuts, colored safflower, and red millet. Other varieties of wreaths as well as bird seed bells are also available. Stop in and stock up your bird pantry for the winter.
What a great gift for the bird watcher in your life!
I got in a fight with my wife last night and it was totally my fault.
She asked me what was on the TV and I said: dust.
Didn’t go too well after that.
Americas Best Flowers Fundraising Program
Spring 2015 is right around the corner! People are beginning to think about vegetable gardens, shade trees, flowering shrubs and glorious flowers.
What perfect timing for your non-profit organization to participate in Americas Best Flowers fundraiser program. Non-profit organizations earn 25% of the proceeds from each gift card they sell. For example, if your organization sells $500 of our gift cards, which are available in any denomination over $10, your organization would earn $125.
Please contact us if your non-profit organization is in need of funds for things such as (but by no means limited to):
- local charities, (i.e. food pantry)
- church mission trips,
- new equipment or uniforms for your school sports program, or school band or orchestra.
Americas Best Flowers gift cards may be used at both our Cottage Grove and Edgerton locations.
If you are interested or have questions regarding our easy and profitable program, please contact Shirley at abfscimino@yahoo.com.
Online auctions are fun and exciting!

The Wisconsin Green Industry Federation is Getting Ready to Launch an Online Auction! Beginning March 17th through March 31st, 2015, this organization will be auctioning off, from many different companies, a number of useful, fun and unique items to bid on.
Americas Best Flowers will also have a number of great items for you to bid on. Check out their website at http://www.biddingforgood.com/wgif.
The Band
Arnold and his wife Florrie were walking across Southsea Common one Sunday afternoon. In the bandstand the combo was playing a catchy sounding tune, and Florrie said, ‘I wonder what the name of that tune is.’
Arnold noticed that there was a sign posted near the bandstand and said, ‘It looks like they post the titles of the tunes they play. I’ll go down and see.’
A while later Arnold returned and said to Florrie, ‘It’s one I don’t know, it’s called the Refrain from Spitting.’
Has your email address changed?
If you are a Loyalty Customer and have submitted your email addressto us you will receive our newsletter by noon, every Thursday.
If your email address has changed please remember to let us know by either calling us at 608-222-2269, sending us an email at abfbev@yahoo.com or just let us know the next time you are at the greenhouse.
Our newsletter can also be found on our website www.americasbestflowers.com.
Upcoming Events for 2015
Its going to be another busy season for us at America’s Best Flowers.
Our indoor Community Egg Hunt will be on Saturday, April 4 this spring.
Were going to have 10 container workshops this year along with several different types of gardening classes. Our hope is that we have a little something for everyone. Details coming in future newsletters.
Upcoming Events
Sat, Apr 4 | 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. Accepting items for the Cottage Grove Food Pantry. |
Sat, Apr 11 – Sun, Apr 12 | Terrarium & Miniature Garden Container Workshop 10am-3pm FREE soil and assistance. Create your own terrarium or miniature garden. Customers may bring in their own EMPTY containers, but all accessories must be purchased from Americas Best Flowers. |
Sat, Apr 18 – Sun, Apr 19 | Spring Flower Show 9am-6pm We have your all-time favorite plants plus a few new ones for the season and a HUGE selection of new pottery. |
Sat, Apr 18 | Herb Container Workshop 10am-3pm FREE soil and assistance. Create your own herb garden. Bring in your own EMPTY containers or buy some of ours. |
Sat, Apr 18 – Sun, Apr 19 | Universal Saw & Tool Sharpening 9am-3pm Get your tools ready for easier gardening. |
Sat, Apr 25 | Earth Day Celebration 10am-2pm Free childrens activities. Bring a white T-shirt to paint, make seed balls, plant flower seeds and more. |
Our Kitchen
Here is a quick, easy and yummy snack to prepare using Spinach and ArtichokeDip by Bald Eagle Foods.
From the Label: "Loaded with fresh spinach, hearty chunks of artichoke hearts and minced garlic, so all you have to do is mix in the cream cheese for the dip of your life! For optimum flavor, mix at least two hours prior to serving and heat slightly. This dip is great with crackers or bread bowls."
We carry this dip and more than two dozen other of their tasty food items. The Spinach and Artichoke Dip is one of our favorites.
This tasty dip is fabulous with salami.
Salami Roll Ups
- Sliced hard salami
- 1/3 jar of Spinach and Artichoke Dip
- 8 oz cream cheese
Directions
Simply mix 1/3 of the jar of dip with 8 oz of cream cheese and youre set to go!
Spread the desired amount of the dip mixture on each slice of salami and roll it up or just put a dollop on a small slice of salami and enjoy!

Edward Knapton says Keep on Smiling!
Sec – Treasurer Berry Hill Farms, Inc.
DBA Americas Best Flowers Garden Center
4311 Vilas Hope Road
Cottage Grove, WI 53527
608-222-2269 Fax 608-222-1234 Cell 608-698-5627