Please Do Not Talk To Me.....
Today my mother, Sonja Behnke Festerling, and I took some time to look through a few of the thousands of photos my grandmother, Rose Behnke, took and we came across this one! We both started laughing since this was a sight that I remember well and so did she.
Right away she said, "Oh look! Mr. Steinley and his sign." Of course, the woman walking up to him was my Mom and she was probably talking a mile a minute, as she always does. It was so much fun sharing memories with my mother and hearing her laugh and say, "oh yes, I remember this." Or, "I remember that!"
Mr. Steinley was counting pansies. We used to sow our own pansy seeds directly in what we called the pansy beds, as seen above. Before you actually got these little seedlings, a lot of work and time went into preparing the beds and selecting the seeds, but that is a story for another day. After the pansies would come up, we would then count out 25 pansy seedlings and put them in a wooden quart box for sale. When I say we, I mean Mr. Steinley or one of a few other selected people. This was job #1 to make sure your count was correct. My grandfather was okay if there were a few extra in the box, but watch out if there were fewer than the 25! All part of the "Known For Quality Plants" motto that he was so proud of.
How times have changed. But sometimes I have to admit I would love to have that sign out when I am counting newly arrived products in our warehouse. Like my mother, I love to talk, and once someone says hello to me, I right away start chatting and, of course, lose my place.
~ Stephanie Fleming, Vice President, Behnke Nurseries
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This Saturday: Behnke's Spring Open House
Tool Collection
12pm to 5pm
Have gently-used garden tools you're not using (or want an excuse to get new, shiny ones)? Donate them to Community Forklift in the Behnke's parking lot!
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FREE Wine Tasting
 1pm to 3pm
Visit the folks from Old Line Fine Wine, Spirits & Bistro in Beltsville & sip some wine. Click here to visit their website. |
Scales & Tails
 11am to 2pm
See live reptiles & birds while learning about their behaviors and habitats. Great for kids!
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Join us as we celebrate the start of Spring! We'll have the events listed above plus,
specials, guests &
door prize drawings (you could win a $50 gift card to Behnke's)!
And a special coupon for Saturday only! (Click the coupon below to print.)
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Jessica's Garden:
Spring Gardening Itch
~ Jessica J. Crawford
With the warmer weather of the past week, you're probably feeling ready to get outside. So is Jessica. Read what she and young son Grayson are doing to satisfy the early gardening itch.
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20% Off All Camellias
Click here to learn about our current crop of camellias.
Check out our sales flyer to see what else is new.
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Garden Club Special:
20% Off Daphne
Must be a Behnke Garden Club member to get this special price. To join, Sign Up Here! Or, sign up next time you are at Behnke's.
Members enjoy special weekly sales and coupons. Plus, extra specials and news via snail mail. Membership is FREE!
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Free Printable:
March To Do List
Get a jump start on Spring! Print out our list, check off the items that apply to your garden and you'll be ready for a beautiful Spring! Click here to get the list.
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free talk: Getting Ready for Spring
Saturday, March 21, 11am & 2pm
w/ Christopher Lewis |
Orchid Diagnostic & Repotting Clinic
Saturday, March 21, 9:30am to 4:30pm
w/ Carol Allen
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 Potomac Rose Society Meeting
free talk: Producing New Varieties of Roses
Sunday, March 22, 2pm
w/ John Smith, distinguished rose hybridizer
Click here to visit our Events Calendar to learn more.
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free talk: Planning for an Old Fashioned Cutting Garden
Sunday, March 22, 1pm
w/ Carol Allen
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Check out our Events Calendar for a full list of talks and events.
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 Now Hiring Smiles!
Behnke Nurseries is hiring for seasonal staff positions. Are you ready to join the team? Bring in your resume, reference list and smiling personality today! Stop in the store or click here for an application and bring it with you when you apply.
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