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This past week was so much fun! The National Capital Orchid Society was out all week with their beautiful orchids! I think I took over 100 photos and I understand everyone else did, too. You can check them out on our Flickr page along with some of the professional photographs that were taken. (Check out Photographer, David Waldman's site) But best of all was when my little grandson, Aaron, came with his parents to check out the show...Oops! I mean the Kid's Fun Area! He also discovered the Melissa and Doug Train set in our Christmas shop and helped his Oma (that's me!) put it together with his dad. I know I have mentioned this FREE fun area before, but seriously, if you have your kids or grandkids bring them out, you will be happy you did. Bring your camera along and send us your memories! Hey I think I have said that before, haven't I? Plans are in the works for the Christmas Craft and Fun area coming in mid-November. |
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This Week In Jessica's Garden ~ 'Gift of Quince'
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~ Jessica Crawford, Behnke's Garden Blogger
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Garden Visitor at the Crawford's
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This week was fairly low key, much less the Russian roulette that was last week with the wild mushroom foraging and consumption. Although, I will not lie-I did attempt more foraging this week. I found a different wild edible mushroom commonly known as the Wine Cap Stropharia. But by the time I had it officially identified, it had unfortunately spoiled and was inedible. However, I now know for next time.
One of our work clients generously gave me about 25 pounds of quince this week. Last year, we were at her home and we noticed her quince bush was fruiting. She had let me harvest as much as I could carry between mine and my mother's coat pockets. This year we were much better prepared with buckets and able to haul away the entire harvest. When we pulled into her driveway, we could smell the bush from her
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Gin-infused Quince
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backyard, it was that fragrant. She enjoys the plant as a flowering shrub, but does not use the fruit. I will surprise her with a few jars of the finished products as a 'thank you.'
I made quince jelly for the first time last season. It is an easy preparation but an unfriendly fruit to have to pick, peel and core. We waited until the fruit had dropped from the bush on its own. I still have the battle scars from reaching through its thorny branches for its delicious and aromatic fruit hiding under fallen leaves and ivy. It was totally worth it.
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Behnke Garden Club Special:
Entire Woody Plant Department ALL Hardy Trees, Shrubs and Vines 25% OFF
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 Fall is a great time to plant, and now is a great time to save, too. Try a new camellia or a re-blooming azalea. Enhance your landscape while the weather is cooler and planting conditions are less stressful for you and the plants. Then, in the spring, you can just sit back and watch your garden fill in.
Selected Fall & Halloween Décor 35% OFF! 
Don't get caught fading with the last season. Embrace the change and add new color and whimsy.
Bows and Ribbon - Wreaths, Picks and Garlands - Metal Yard Art Stakes -
Scarecrows - AND MORE!
Must be a Behnke Garden Club member to get this special price. To join, just Sign Up Here! It's FREE
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Kiln Dried / USDA Certified Firewood Now In Stock
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 Kiln Dried Firewood has been "seasoned" by drying in a kiln. Advantages: Bug Free - Mold Free firewood. This firewood is cleaner and suitable for indoor storage - Has a low moisture content allowing the wood to ignite easily and produces the highest BTU's of any firewood - Ready to burn the day it is delivered.
Call for pricing and availability.
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Critter-Resistant Spring-Blooming Bulbs
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Oh, Deer!
For the urban/suburban gardener, dealing with deer and other warm-blooded  garden grazers is generally a case of discouraging their feeding in your garden. You can probably visualize herds of discouraged deer, walking dejectedly down the street, looking for some hosta to terrorize, their little white tails limp. Bad posture and everything. Sooner or later they will feed. It's just that you are trying to get them to feed elsewhere, maybe on the next street.
One of the weapons in your non-ballistic arsenal is the use of deer-resistant plants. These are plants that have proven to be low on the deer's feeding preference list. It doesn't mean they won't eat them, or try them and spit them out, just that on average, they are more likely to leave them alone w hen given other choices. For example, for me, Brussels Sprouts are Larry-resistant plants. And I don't need any emails telling me I'm just not preparing them right, thank-you-very-much.
For deer, the resistant plants tend to fall into several categories-smell strongly (herbs); a lot of hairs on the leaves (often looking silvery); or taste bad/are poisonous. Note on the poisonous ones, that they are likely to be poisonous to people as well.
Most spring flowering bulbs are deer resistant: crocus and tulips are not. But daffodils (narcissus); hyacinths; fritillaria; scilla; muscari; galanthus and ornamental allium are, among others. Just don't eat them. The alliums are various types of onions so they are strongly flavored; the fritillaria have a skunky odor when handled; daffodils are poisonous, and so on.
Holland Bulbs Have Arrived! 
This week look for our
Extra Large "Loose" Bulbs
25% OFF!!!
Loose means individual bulbs NOT in packages. Now you can choose as few or as many as you need to bring your landscape to life next spring.
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This Weekend At Behnke's :
Plant a Fall-Themed Porch Pot Workshop
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Saturday, October 18 with Carol Allen (workshop at 11am or 2pm)
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just a sample of what you can include in your porch pot
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Carol will guide you through the process of planting your own colorful porch pot that will carry you through the Thanksgiving holiday that will include pansies, ornamental cabbage, seasonal gourds and more.
This workshop starts at 11AM or 2PM and costs $40.00. Includes everything you need to create your own special arrangement.
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Celebrate the Holidays with Professional
Holiday Lighting
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Enjoy the luxury of extra time during the busy holiday season!
Leave the holiday decorating to Behnke Nurseries.
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Another Happy Testimonial for Brite Ideas!
What do you think of the awesome fun display below? They are so incredible and the led lights are so bright! They really exceeded our expectations! We're so glad you introduced us to the lighting possibilities and are thinking about a Thanksgiving turkey and maybe a present box or a birthday cake to celebrate our combined holidays.
 Every car that passes slows down to get a glimpse of the beautiful display. You have contributed to the joy and Halloween spirit of our whole neighborhood! Thank you so very much! - Mary & Marguerite
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 Halloween Hunt - Wear your favorite costume! -
For children 10 yrs and younger
Saturday, October 25th and Sunday, October 26th
2 pm each day
Help Wanda the Good Witch find her Halloween treasure before the ghosts and goblins get it! Each participating child will go home with a goodie bag. The top 3 collectors each day will also receive a special prize. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
11 am & again at 2 pm
Discover a showcase of easy-care shrubs and trees that are particularly attractive in autumn and winter.
 Potomac Rose Society Meeting - Open to the Public w/ Special Guest Speakers Gary Rankin and Monica Valentovic
Growing Roses the Organic Way Date: Sunday, October 26 Time: 2 pm
If you like roses, MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Gary and Monica are husband and wife Ph.Ds, who are Professors at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. Their research area is toxicology, so they are uniquely qualified to discuss the dangers and benefits of fertilizers and pesticides. Over the years, Gary and Monica?s rose garden has expanded from about 25 to currently around 300 rose bushes. Both are Master Consulting Rosarians and past Presidents of the Huntington Rose Society.
 Beginner Basics - Bonsai 101
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(Korean) Two Sessions; the Third and Fourth Saturdays of Every Month;1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Cost: $120 plus plant and pot (Additional materials provided)
(Weekend Class) Learn the basic techniques of bonsai, including plant selection and care, shaping and pruning. You will learn these techniques on your own plant, which you will select from Ducky's extensive inventory, and have your own starter bonsai to take home at the completion of the class.
After your online Checkout, Please call our Beltsville Store to schedule your class. Please Specify English or Korean Class (weekend class). 301-937-1100 Classes during the Week: (English or Korean)
Class to run for 4 weeks, 1.5 hours per class.
Cost: $120 plus plant and pot (Additional materials provided)
If you have 5 or more people that would like to take the Introductory Class during a week day, Ducky will arrange times with you.
After your online Checkout, Please call our Beltsville Store to schedule your class. Please Specify English or Korean Class (weekday class). 301-937-1100
Sign Up on line for Ducky's Classes (Or, of course, you can sign up in person at Beltsville).
Saturday, November 1st And Sunday, November 2nd
10 am & again at 1 pm each day
Join Carol as she offers timely tips each month and explains how you could get the most from your edible garden. All questions are welcomed.
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Behnke's Fall Hours
Beltsville Sunday - Friday ~ 9 to 6 Saturday ~ 8 to 6 Open Early
Behnke Nurseries Contacts:
Beltsville: 301-937-1100
Email: behnkes@behnkes.net
Web Site: www.behnkes.com |
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FREE Talk - Attractive Winter Interest Shrubs & Trees to Add to Your Landscape
FREE Talk - Your Edible Garden: Winterizing your Vegetable Garden
