Monday – Friday
9am-7pm

Saturday – Sunday
9am-6pm

We have many varieties to choose from
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Every flower garden cries out for a plant that attracts butterflies and birds, makes great cut flowers, and tolerates hot dry conditions. A perennial favorite that fills the bill is Echinacea, commonly called coneflower. They grow well in partial to full sun, in average soil, and require minimal attention.  This perennial flower provides beautiful, colorful blooms and will re-bloom without deadheading. We have a wide selection of these beauties to choose from.

As always the featured plant of the week is 20% off while supplies last!

One of the most common questions we get this time of year is “Should I keep fertilizing my perennial beds with Miracle Gro?”  There is a rather long scientific answer that has a lot to do with cell division and nutrient uptake and storage, but the short answer is, “No.”  August is when plants begin the process of preparing for winter.  Part of that process involves a slowdown in growth.  When we apply standard fertilizers, we are telling them we want them to keep growing.  The two messages don’t work well together. 

What we recommend instead are products that provide a slow release of nitrogen, while at the same time providing the phosphorus and potassium your plants need.  Our favorite product for this is Coop Poop, an aerobically composted chicken manure.  Please visit their website to learn more.

Come on out to our Flea Market and shop for that whatever-you-are-not-looking-for-item on Saturday, August 24, from 8am-3pm! 

There is still time to join us as a vendor!  To participate we require a non-refundable registration fee of $20.00.  After you arrive and have your space set up on that morning, America’s Best Flowers will present you with a $20.00 America’s Best Flowers gift card.  Each vendor will be allowed two parking spaces, which equals one booth, to display their wares.   

More vendor space is available for an additional $10.00 for each parking space.  Additional space must be requested at the time of the initial registration.  Each vendor is limited to only one $20.00 America’s Best Flowers gift card regardless of the number of parking spaces.

Rain or shine! Set up time is at 6:30am and the starting bell is at 8am.  This event will end at 3pm.  Vendors will need to bring their own furnishings, tables, awnings, chairs, etc. 

We will have a specific area set up to test electrical items.  

For safety purposes all vendor vehicles must be parked in a separate area and will not be allowed in the market area until after 3pm.  Space is limited.  Don’t wait to register! 

It’s too late to mail us a check, but you can stop by the greenhouse with your check to register.  In the memo section of your check please put ‘Flea Market’.  For clarity include a short note stating how many booths you are registering for, a telephone number and/or email address for contact purposes. 

We would be happy to make arrangements for vendors that are unable to make it to the greenhouse before Saturday to register.  Please contact Shirley at abfscimino@yahoo.com or call the greenhouse at 608-222-2269. 

There are a few restrictions on what may be brought to the flea market at our greenhouse.  They are as follows:

• No firearms or ammunition,
• No live animals,
• No flowers and/or plants,
• No alcohol or tobacco is allowed on America’s Best Flowers’ property.

See you on Saturday!

Our 4th Annual Art in the Garden event is right around the greenhouse corner. 

Over 40 talented Wisconsin artists will be at our greenhouse displaying their unique creations.  Some of the items available include: jewelry, paintings, weavings, carved gourds, pottery, woodworking, textiles, photography and much more!

Remember to mark your calendar for our 4th Annual Art in the Garden event on Saturday, September 14, from 9-3.  What a great opportunity to get a jump start on your holiday shopping!

For Art in the Garden Vendor Information please go to this link: www.americasbestflowers.com/newsletter/2013/26/index.html#article1326

America’s Best Flowers wants to help you succeed in your gardening efforts. If you have gardening questions send an email to Al Lunde, at abflunde@yahoo.com. Al will get back to you promptly.

Sherman – One satisfied customer!
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We want to send out a great big howling ‘thank you’ to the 91 dogs that came to our greenhouse last Saturday for our 3rd Annual Dog Wash Fundraiser for the Dane County Humane Society.  Between Tabby and Jack’s Mobile Grooming, Talbot Photography and America’s Best Flowers we raised just under $1700 for the Dane County Humane Society (DCHS)! 

Thanks to Nick Pelzer, from the DCHS, and all the volunteers for all their hard work bathing man’s best friend.  The volunteers came to the greenhouse dry and left soaking wet…and they didn’t seem to mind a bit.

A special thanks to Tabby & Jack’s Grooming and Talbot Photography for joining with us for the third consecutive year.

Lucy the Roundabout
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We are not alone!  Hubby and I didn’t realize that we had so much in common with other dog owners!  

Following are several roundabout definitions from readers;

Pat – ‘In our house "roundabout" means you have to go round about the dogs.  We have one dog in particular who lies in our kitchen doorway.  You not
only have to go around him, but sometimes over him as well. 

(Pat, does Lucy’s picture remind you of anyone in your household?)

Peggy – The 180 degree turning she does prior to lying down?

(Peggy, after reading your response Hubby and I looked at each other and said, ‘Yep, there are multiple right answers!’)

Linda – You probably have to walk around about her to get where you want to go. (Linda, right again!)

Step over and/or step around…aren’t we lucky that Lucy provides us with so many opportunities for exercise?  

That Lucy must really love us! 

`til next time,
    ~ Shirley

If any of you other dog people want to share a dog story send it to abfscimino@yahoo.com.