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Digging Potatoes with Grand-dad
~ Stephanie Fleming
Aaron picking potatoes
I have read about Grandparent's gardens in the past. A place where you and your little ones can go to have fun, imagine and play. For one reason or the other, I have never actually made one. But the other night I saw that we have had one all along.  Our little Aaron came over for a surprise visit, and of course right away he and his granddad were out the door to let the chickens out and go on a tractor ride. But then, the big question was asked! "Hey Jaimie, (our daughter) you want any potatoes?"
I had to laugh, nothing is ever simple. They had to go get gloves, shovels, and a bag.  And off they went. I had not been down to the garden for a long time but I tagged along with my camera.  I am not sure if Aaron thought they were big Easter Eggs or what, but he had so much fun. He could not pick them up fast enough.  He kept telling his granddad he needed the shovel and gloves which of course he got. I made a rude comment about all the weeds and was rightly told that I was welcome at any time to help pull them. Shut me up pretty fast.
I think having a little one outside in the garden reminds us of all of the simple joys that can be found in everyday things. I can't wait to hear how it goes when his Mommy cooks those big old potatoes and gives them to him for dinner. I hope he enjoys them more then she did when she was a little girl!
 
Ideas for your Fall Vegetable Garden
Fall Veg

With your summer vegetable garden still going strong, it's now time to begin your fall plantings, to continue the harvest into the cooler months. Perhaps you have used all available space for your initial spring/summer planting, so what can you do? Make intense use of your space.  

Succession Planting:

Bush beans, lettuce, peas, radishes, and cucumbers, for example, may be harvested fairly early in the summer season, yielding space for something else to be started (including more bush beans, cucumbers or other heat-tolerant vegetables). This is called "succession planting;" that is, never letting garden space go fallow (unused) while another crop could be growing and making food for you. Continue this into fall, with the introduction of cool-season vegetables that tolerate colder temperatures and shorter days.
 

Behnke Garden Club Special:  $5 Off Coupon
Garden Club Coupon

Must be a Behnke Garden Club member to get this special price. To join, just  Sign Up Here! It's FREE.
Sometimes the question comes up: "does one purchase mean "one item?" 
No, it's one checkout transaction, as many items as you want.  So if you want to buy 10 mums, we'd be delighted to honor your coupon.

Jessica's Garden
Sit back and enjoy Jessica Peterson's (Behnke's New Garden Blogger)  view on gardening
Jessica's Picking's  

I love this time of year.   After a few months of hard work, maintenance and a healthy dose of patience the garden is in full swing. Now the real work begins. Every morning, I head out to the garden to check on what's ripening and coming in. Essentially every day my garden rewards me with at least a bucket of bounty to lug back up to the farmhouse.  

This year, I acquired 25 heirloom tomato plants from the Master Gardener at my local agriculture center. She had such a wide variety available that I walked away with hardly any duplicate varieties. I love heirloom tomatoes. Although they are a little more finicky to grow than hybrid tomato varieties, I prefer them. I always feel that the prettier the food, the better the taste. And the heirlooms never cease to amaze me with their unusual and sometimes-so-ugly-its-beautifulness. I tried my hand at seed saving some of my new heirloom favorites for next year's garden.        

Photo by Jessica Crawford  Bruschetta
Jessica's Bruschetta Toppling 

My husband Chris and I have been canning tomatoes all week. Over the years, I've been slowly roping him into canning with me. With the abundant harvest this year I've definitely appreciated the late-night canning help after our little guy goes to bed. We've made Spicy Tomato jam, a couple batches of crushed tomatoes and a double batch of bruschetta topping. My mother and I cracked open the first jar of bruschetta topping for lunch yesterday on a piece of crustini with a shaving of parmesan - amazing. I made a second batch to reserve for Christmas and hostess gifts.

 




rest of the artice  
Providing Water for Birds
by Kevin O'Toole, Artist and Horticulturist.  At one time in the distant past, Kevin was our webmaster.  He is now a renowned Glass Artist at Vitrum Studios in Beltsville.

With rising temperatures and less reliable rains, we're all concerned about keeping our bird bath from stock exchange gardens healthy and well-maintained. However, many of the birds and animals that visit our gardens are also feeling the effects of the summer weather.

While some bird species get all the water they require from the vegetation and insects that they eat, many other species need a reliable source of fresh water to drink from and to bathe in. Birds need water both to prevent dehydration and to aid in digestion. A birdbath not only provides a cool respite from the heat but also keeps their feathers clean and in tip-top shape.

Birds are more than happy to use a shallow stream or even a puddle for their baths, but puddles are few and far between in periods of drought. During dry spells a birdbath can prove even more irresistible than a well-stocked feeder to our fine-feathered friends.

   


Bird Baths
This week all of our bird baths are 35% off!
Includes Concrete, Ceramic and Terra Cotta


 
This Week In Bloom
Our Woody Plant Buyer, Miri Talabac said that the Rose-Of-Sharon are in bloom now. Stop by and you could go home with one of these beauties.  Rose of Sharon is the National Plant of Korea, by the way.
Rose of Sharon Hibiscus_syriacus_Blue_Satin
SAVE The Dates!

tomatoes
FREE Talk - Making the Most of your Fresh Vegetables & Fruits: Canning &  Freezing w/ Carol Allen

Date: August 23
Time: 11am & again at 2pm

Discover how to save your delicious summer flavors into the winter and save money by making the most out of your harvest. Imagine making chili in January using your fresh tomatoes from the summer before.
Chris Lewis
Christopher Lewis

Lawn Improvements to Make a Healthy Lawn w/ Christopher Lewis

11 am & again at 2 pm

Christopher will discuss steps you can take this fall
to improve the health and appearance of your
lawn.

Orchids






Orchid  Re-Potting Clinic with Carol Allen


Carol's advice is always FREE. Just bring in the plants you are concerned about.She will tell you how to resolve problems, and, for a minimal fee, she will expertly re-pot them, showing you how.

(9:30 am - 4:30 pm)

Look For Carol at Behnke's in Beltsville
September 13 & 14 
October 12 & 13  during the National Capital Orchid Society Fall Show & Sale
November 8 & 9
December 6& 7

  gardeners night out
Fall Fun
Weekends in October: Visit our Children's Fall Fun Area    
with activities for children 10 and under. 

Chili Saturday, October 4th
7th Annual Chili Cook Off & Harvest Festival
9:30 to 4:30 pm

Chili Tasting begins at noon, with all proceeds going to Beltsville Rotary Club.

Do you make the best chili ever? Why not, join in the fun and take part in our Chili Cook Off! Old Line Beer Tasting
Email, [email protected] for details!

Old Line Fine Wine & Bistro
will be back for beer tasting! 


 

October 11 to the 13, 2014
The 67th National Capital Orchid Society Fall Show NCOS 2014 Fall Show


Last year due to the Federal Government's Shut Down the NCOS came to Behnke's to hold their Fall Show.  It was such a success they wish to come back this year!  If you love orchids this is an event you do not want to miss.






fall bulbs Selecting, Planting & Forcing Bulbs to Produce a Beautiful Winter & Spring Display w/ Christopher Lewis

1 am & again at 2 pm

Discover how to (1) select and plant spring flowering
bulbs for a longer spring display, (2) use deer resistant
bulbs, and (3) force bulbs for winter indoor displays.




Attractive Winter Interest Shrubs & Trees to
fall chair
Add to Your Landscape w/ Christopher Lewis

October 25, 2014
11 am & again at 2 pm
Discover a showcase of easy-care shrubs and trees that
are particularly attractive in autumn and winter.




Saturday, November 8
Behnke's Fall Craft Show craft show
This will be our 7th year for the Craft Show. Each year we get many new crafters along with some of our past favorites. There will be food and fun for the kids! It is also when we kick off our yearly
Toys for Tots campaign. 
If you are a crafter, artisan, or vendor of unique items and would like to participate, email Stephanie at [email protected]



Christmas Shop Saturday, November 22
Behnke's Christmas Open House
Stop in and see our beautiful poinsettias while getting a head start on your holiday decorating. Bring the children for photo ops with Santa and enjoy some FREE hot cocoa and cookies. There will be FREE activities for the children!

Saturday, November 29
Small Business Saturday


The 2015 Event Calender is being worked on now! We are planning lots of great talks and demonstrations throughout 2015 with even more activities for children. After another great Garden Party this year we have already picked the date for next year. Mark your calendars for June 6, 2015! 
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Sunday  - Thursday ~ 9 to 6
Friday ~ 9 to 8 Open Late
Saturday ~ 8 to 6 Open Early
 
Behnke Nurseries Contacts:

Beltsville: 301-937-1100
Email: [email protected]
Web Site: www.behnkes.com
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