The Best Time To Plant A Tree Is....
30 years ago I asked my grandfather, Albert Behnke, if he would give me a Pin Oak tree as a housewarming gift. It was the middle of August, and we had just finished building our new home. There I was, with my 3 year old son, pregnant a second time, and wanting a tree. And what does he do? Comes with 7 trees, a few rhododendrons and a plan. Soon we were placing the trees all around my new home and I was getting detailed instructions on watering. "Stephy," he would say, "I want you to stand there for at least 5 minutes per tree when watering." What! Really? Was he nuts? I had a three year old and a growing wholesale greenhouse business in my back yard. When was I going to find the time? But I managed to keep all seven trees alive.
I heard once that the best time to plant a tree was 25 years ago and the second best time is today! As you can see, that is so true.
He brought me 2 beautiful 'Crimson King' Norway Maples, which were very popular at the time; 1 White Oak; 1 Red Oak; 1 Willow Oak;1 Weeping Cherry Tree; 5 different colors of rhododendrons; and the 1 Pin Oak I had actually asked for. Water we did, and our trees grew to give us shade, and of course a home for a family of squirrels that each year would build nests.
I found these two old photos that my grandmother must have taken when they brought the trees. Gosh, I just noticed how dirty my shirt was in that photo. I must have been working hard! My Aunt, Ele Behnke just brought me three large boxes of photos and records from my grandparents. I spent most of Sunday night looking through them, pulling out things I wanted to keep and trying to decide what to do with the amazing history that my grandmother, Rose Behnke, kept. Scrapbooks filled with articles about the nursery, 'letters to the editor' when she felt strongly about this or that... Even letters in German to my great-grandfather back in Kellinghusen, Germany when they imported special roses from him to America. But those are stories for another time.
~ Stephanie Fleming, Behnke Nurseries
|
Check Out What We're Excited About
PANSIES!
Get them now for easy spring color that will last until summer. They're 20% off! Click here to learn about growing pansies.
|
FREE PRINTABLE!
April showers might be partly responsible for May flowers, but a little garden prep couldn't hurt either. Click here for our free, printable April Gardening To-Do List.
| 
EASTER FLOWERS!
Hydrangeas, daffodils & more! Bring the spring indoors & add freshness to your home. Click here for a good tip on keeping your Easter lilies fresh. |
|
|
Jessica's Garden:
Crocus and Chicks Signal
It's Spring
~ Jessica J. Crawford
Spring is finally here and Jessica is itching to get out and work/play in her garden (aren't we all?). Read about her chicken flock, the vegetables she's sowing and her ultimate plans for her farmhouse (it's worth looking at if just to see the pictures of her baby chicks).
|
Click on the button above to see what else is on sale.
Catch us on the radio! Hear our blueberry commercial all week on WMZQ or click here to listen.
|
Garden Club Special:
40% Off Easter Décor
Must be a Behnke Garden Club member to get this special price. To join,
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!
|
|
A Watched Plot
~ Guest Blogger, Emily Stashower
Patience, Gardeners! March has been a time of gardening uncertainty, but as we move into April, things are finally starting to happen. Emily describes how she learned to appreciate the beauty of a still-dormant landscape and her excitement as it all starts to come back to life.
|
Easter Egg Hunt
Free for children 10 years & younger
accompanied by an adult.
Saturday, April 4, 2pm
Each child will go home with a goody bag.
There will be special eggs hidden with the rest, and the top 3 egg collectors each day will also receive a special prize.
|
|
free talk: How to Build a Fairy Garden (& Recycle Broken Pots)
|
Orchid Diagnostic & Repotting Clinic
Saturday, April 11, 9:30am to 4:30pm
Sunday, April 12, 9:30am to 4:30pm
w/ Carol Allen
|
Check out our Events Calender for a full list of talks and events.
 |
|
|
|
|
