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Just What Is Our Garden Party All About?
The whole concept of the garden party is simple: it's an opportunity for you to meet members of local garden clubs and plant societies all in one place. If you're thinking of joining a garden club, you can find the perfect one for you whose meeting times fit your schedule. Or, maybe you love, love, love African violets and want to meet others who share your passion (two African violet groups will be here!). This is your day to explore!
It all started 6 years ago with an idea from a former employee to gather local gardening groups together for a day at Behnke's. Loving the idea, I sat down with Carole Galati, a long-time Behnke customer who I knew belonged to a local garden club. After brainstorming and going over how to make it work, the Garden Party was on for the following June! In addition, we decided that a second purpose of the the event would be to raise money for the Friends Of Brookside Gardens, since we knew everyone would love to help support this terrific organization. (If you have never been to Brookside Gardens in Montgomery County, take time this summer and check it out.) Without the help of Carole and everyone at Behnke's, I am not sure how far this would have gone. It takes a lot of team work to pull something like this off, but each year it gets better and better.
This year we have over 25 garden clubs, plant societies and other environmental groups attending! Throughout the day, there will be 3 different FREE talks. ESPOMA (producers of organic fertilizers) stepped up to sponsor a talk by Mike McGrath (see below for a short bio) about growing tomatoes. Mike is the garden editor for WTOP radio and also the host of an NPR garden show. He is a well-known speaker on organic gardening, and everyone is really looking forward to meeting him and hearing him speak. We will also have a fun plant swap and a huge raffle. The prizes for the raffle table are overwhelming; there are so many of them!
Plus, you can enjoy homemade meatball subs from the young men and women of The Prince George's County Police Department Explorers Post 600. We are always so happy whenever they attend one of our events. When you get your sub, ask them about what they do with the Police Department. Oh, and don't forget to taste some of the fine wine provided by Larry Pendelton, owner of Old Line, Fine Wine, Spirits & Bistro! Yup, all in all it's a day you don't want to miss! See you there. :)
~ Stephanie Fleming, Behnke Nurseries
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A little about Mike McGrath:
- Host of the nationally syndicated Public Radio show, "You Bet Your Garden"
- Garden Editor for WTOP News Radio in Washington, DC
- Contributing Editor and columnist for Greenprints magazine
- Former Editor-in-Chief of ORGANIC GARDENING magazine
- Author of books on tomatoes, compost, seed saving and kitchen gardening
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Check Out What's On Sale  Hydrangeas, watering wands AND MORE!
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Garden Club Special:
Daylilies 25% Off
Must be a Behnke Garden Club
member to get this special price. 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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Jessica's Garden:
All About Herbs
~ Jessica J. Crawford
Jessica spent some time at Behnke's last Saturday, giving us some great ways to use fresh herbs from the garden. Read a recap here, recipes included!
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June Gardening To Do List
Print out this free checklist to make sure you get everything done for a beautiful June garden!
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