Merchandise
Soil Mixes from Fafard
“The best plants start in the best soils”
For the first time in 2010, Klein’s will be carrying a complete line of Fafard soil mixes for retail sale. We’ve used Fafard products for many, many years in our greenhouse production and would now like to share their excellent products with the home gardener. We’ll be carrying everything from outdoor potting mixes and container mixes to mixes designed specifically for the indoor gardener such as cactus mix, African violet mix and orchid mix as well as perlite and vermiculite.
Fafard potting soils give your garden the proper balance of water, air, and pH. Using only weed- and disease-free materials, their soils undergo testing before and after production to ensure a consistent formulation and texture. It's what has made them the choice of professional growers, including Klein’s, since 1926.
Fafard is committed to sustainable peat harvesting and bog restoration. An active member in good standing with the Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association (CSPMA), Fafard has been recognized for our efforts in returning harvested bogs to wetlands to preserve an area’s ecological balance.
About Fafard:
Conrad Fafard, Inc.’s roots germinated in Canada. It was 1921 when Canadian, Conrad Fafard, moved to Springfield, Mass., and began selling imported hay to local livestock owners. He expanded his services in the early 1930s to include peat moss — first selling imported peat moss from Germany, then in 1939 opening the first Fafard bog in Quebec. The demand for Fafard peat moss grew quickly, and two years later, a second bog started in New Brunswick, closely followed by a peat-processing plant and mix facility also in New Brunswick. The company incorporated as Conrad Fafard, Inc. in 1945.
Over the next 60 years, Conrad Fafard, Inc. expanded its assets and sales, attracting the attention of Swiss-based Syngenta, a leading global agribusiness. Since joining Syngenta in July 2006, Fafard and its Canadian subsidiary have opened a plant in Texas, acquired leases on three peatlands in Manitoba, and announced the building of a second Canadian production facility in Manitoba to open November 2008.
Headquartered in Agawam, Mass., Fafard is a leading manufacturer of packaged growing media for professional ornamental growers and retail outlets. It currently owns and operates production facilities in Anderson, S.C.; Apopka, Fla.; Marshall, Texas; Floodwood, Minn.; and New Brunswick, Canada, as well as peat bogs in the New Brunswick and Manitoba provinces.
For more information, please visit Fafard’s very consumer-friendly website @: http://www.fafard.com/index.php?p=6
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
‘The Largest Heirloom Gardening Resource’
Klein’s is extremely happy to announce that we will be carrying seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds again in the spring of 2010. With the slow economy, research has shown that people buy far more seeds--especially vegetable seeds. Consumers spend more time at home and in their gardens and have a tendency to grow more of their own food.
And why heirlooms? Heirlooms are the tried and true diehards that have withstood the test of time. Baker Creek has worked hard to preserve the world’s gardening heritage. They carry seeds from over 70 countries and have probably the largest collection of unique seeds in the world. Connoisseurs of ethnic cuisine will be astounded by some of their offerings--long beans from East Asia, Thai eggplants, Chinese mustard greens, bitter melon, African jelly melon, Indian and Eastern European chilies, Tobasco peppers, Native American squashes--and these are just the tip of a very large iceberg.
Baker Creek’s seeds are all non-hybrid, non-GMO (genetically modified organisms), non-treated and non-patented. They work only with small farmers, home gardeners and heritage seed collectors to find the seed that meets their requirements.
How did Klein’s find out about Baker Creek? From Klein’s own Sonya Kutz. She told us that Baker Creek was among her favorite seed companies for truly unique seed choices. Visit their website at www.rareseeds.com to order your free and truly astounding catalog. Then stop by Klein’s this spring for your plunge into the world of heirloom gardening.
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
by KELLY LEAHY
from www.greendaily.com
“My Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds catalog arrived in the mail recently. I say "catalog" but it is in actuality a beautifully designed, full color temptation. For a gardening novice like me, the book is nothing but dangerous as I want to order everything in sight.
Baker Creek offers over 1200 varieties of heritage fruits and vegetables. Choosing heritage seeds is a way to preserve varieties of years gone by. It is also a way to escape from any genetically modified produce that is commonly grown today. Many growers claim that the taste of the crops are infinitely better than what you will buy elsewhere.
In addition to more varieties of tomatoes than you could possibly grow in ten seasons, Baker Creek offers exotic seeds from all around the world. Why not try growing some Fortna White Pumpkins which are the size of pears or a Jelly Melon who's pulp resembles green jello? If you are already shopping for your garden, be sure to check out Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds for some inspiration.”
CowPots™ from the Liquid Fence Company
‘The pots you plant!’
The best pots for starting your plants! An exciting high-performing alternative to plastic and peat pots. CowPots™, manure-fiber based seed starter pots, are made by American farmers for plant lovers everywhere. These earth-friendly “pots you plant” are made with biodegradable, 100% renewable composted cow manure.
The CowPot manufacturing process removes all weeds, pathogens and odor. All that’s left is the natural fiber and goodness of manure: the perfectly plantable pot! Visit the CowPots website at www.cowpots.com for more detailed information.
Why are CowPots better?
--CowPots give seedlings a better beginning. Tender, young roots easily penetrate the sides and bottoms of CowPots, growing freely... Healthier roots mean lifelong stronger plants.
--CowPots are great for seedlings! CowPots stay intact for up to 12 weeks – plenty of time to give seedlings a good, strong start.
--Planted CowPots break down fast in the ground. Composted manure naturally biodegrades quickly, so at 3 to 4 weeks, decomposition is well underway.
--CowPots give back to the planet!
Besides enriching your garden soil with the goodness of manure, CowPots are earth-friendly in even BIGGER ways... By collecting and using manure to create a truly “green” product, Cowpots help farmers preserve clean, open spaces
Not only that, the ingenious dairy-farmers who invented CowPots also extract green-energy from the manufacturing process, using it to reduce their own farm’s carbon footprint. The manure in Cowpots is a renewable resource, unlike peat which is mined from bog ecosystems or plastic which is derived from finite fossil sources.
CowPots are brought to you by The Liquid Fence Company
“Natural Solutions to Garden Problems”
Spring Magic® Color Bowls and Mixed Containers from Proven Winners®
Spring is almost here and after a long winter, every Madison gardener is certainly ready for a bit of color to enhance their decks and patios. Therefore, Klein’s is happy to announce the arrival of our Spring Magic® collection of perennials and hardy annuals from our friends at Proven Winners®.
Spring Magic® is a collection of extremely cold tolerant garden plants that are put together in exciting and colorful combinations and available just when we miss our summer gardens most. Each container is designed to put on its maximum display during the time that pansies, dianthus and spring bulbs are at their peak in the garden and before the heat of summer kicks in. Though the plants are spring bloomers, these tough as nails perennials can then be planted into the landscape for years of added enjoyment. Each combination contains a unique ensemble of primrose, heuchera, tiarella, columbine, spurge, canytuft, English daisies, forget-me-nots, wallflower, veronica, violas, among others, along with colorful grasses and foliage plants for added height and interest.
These pre-made and custom designed containers will be available while supplies last beginning in early April and would make the perfect Secretaries’ or Mother’s Day gift. Or be the first in your neighborhood to show off a little Spring Magic® from Klein’s.
PLANT HANGERS FROM PRIMITIVE PLANTERS
Talk about a fun and exciting product!! This alternative to grandma’s outdated macramé plant hanger is it. These stunning cloth plant hangers come in a wide assortment of colors and fabric patterns. There is a color and style for every home decor. Now you’re able to match your hanging plants with your walls, wallpaper, curtains, table linens, bedding and more. Primitive Planters has merged a functional garden product and home decorating into one product. Can be used both inside and out! See examples on their visually stimulating website at http://www.primitiveplanters.com/ and then at Klein’s. See what the hype is all about.
About the company--Primitive Planters
Primitive Planters focuses on helping to revive indoor and outdoor plant hangers by giving consumers choices in matching the colors, styles, and décor in their homes.
Co-founder & inventor of Primitive Planters, Sharon Clair, was unable to find a plant hanger that matched her décor, colors & styles room by room in her home. There were too many macramé, chain & plastic hangers that are out of date. Instead of using them, she didn’t hang any at all. So it came to her, “How can I add color to a plant hanger to match the COLORS & DÉCOR IN MY HOUSE”? … And so here they are.
Sharon Clair & Jennifer Lavoie have been friends for over 20 years, and both have an entrepreneurial spirit and make a great creative team. Sharon has over 8 years of marketing and management skills and a zest for coming up with new ideas and patenting them. Jennifer previously owned a successful tapestry bag business and is a professional model and actress. Jennifer has the experience in dealing with the quality assurance of textiles, product and the manufacturing process, while Sharon makes sure they market the product properly through different channels.
We are the original founders of the fabric plant hangers and have a utility "patent pending."
“We hope that our fabric plant hangers will bring back indoor & outdoor plant hangings to a whole new level now that people have decorative choices that suit their own style”.
Sharon & Jennifer
greenPots™ ecofriendly planters from ecosource
Klein’s is happy to carry this line of stunning and earth friendly pots. In the few years that we’ve carried this product line, customer interest has been above and beyond all expectations. Though biodegradable, the pots will not begin their rapid deterioration UNTIL they hit the landfill or compost heap. Under normal conditions, the containers will last 5 years! This information is according to the manufacturer’s website at www.greenpots.com. They are so attractive that there is no need to hide the growing container inside a decorative container. The following is an excerpt from their site:
“ecosource Home & Garden is excited to introduce an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic gardening containers. These all-natural pots are perfect for any home or garden since they:
•are made from rice hulls, a natural byproduct of renewable and sustainable crops
•contain no harmful chemical or petroleum ingredients
•deplete no natural resources
•naturally breakdown to easily decompose in landfills or into the earth
•can even be composted to complete the circle of life and re-nourish the earth
greenPots™ come in a variety of shapes and sizes with colors to complement any décor.
Strong, durable and lightweight, these pots are ideal for plants that need to be moved often, and last five years under average conditions. Even when exposed to constant high humidity, the water resistant surface will remain clean and smooth. greenPots™ sizes range from 3” to 12” diameter in styles to suit any taste.
Saucers: Our greenPots™ line comes drilled with multiple holes for excellent drainage and root health. Matching saucers come with all pots. They are water tight and will protect fine wood surfaces from damage.
Manufacturing Process
Our pots are made from grain husks (primarily rice hulls) and natural binding agents (starch based, water soluble binders and biodegradable additives). No pollutants are used or produced at any stage of the manufacturing process. There are no wasted materials because scraps are recycled back into the production process. Only a small amount of water is used in the binding formula along with safe and environmentally friendly organic pigments. A combination of heat and pressure is used to cement the ingredients together to produce a beautiful, durable, guilt-free pot.
Biodegradation Information
Our pots will keep their shape and clean surface until the end of their functional life. Only after they have been discarded into a commercial or municipal landfill facility will decomposition take place. They then break down into nutrient-rich organic matter with a PH value of 7.0.”
