Environmental Gardening at Behnke’s
Those of you who have shopped here for many years may remember that we used to have our shade and flowering tree display area on the south side of our main driveway (that is, between Route 1 and the parking…
Jessica’s Garden: Among the Wildflowers
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, a family friend approached me over the winter asking if I would be interested in growing and arranging flowers for her Fall wedding. Without hesitation, I excitedly accepted the opportunity. While leaving me to…
Goldfinches and Monarchs, a Perfect Pair
Hardly do we ever think of these two creatures together, and yet, by planting Black-eyed Susans and Milkweed we are inviting the two to co-mingle. (Don’t fret, Goldfinches are seed eaters.) Really, the two aren’t likely to go palling around…
Jessica’s Garden: Keeping Pesky Visitors at Bay
As we turn more and more soil for gardens at the farmhouse, I have been pleasantly surprised to find that we have great soil quality here. At our old home, we had builder-grade, lackluster, red clay soil that needed attention…
Coo-Coo Mourning Doves
The Mourning Doves have returned to my yard and I now know it is time to get in the swing of the warmer months. The Cherry Blossom Festival has come and gone, as have many early spring flowers (with more blooms, and chores, to come) but for me, it’s only when the Mourning Doves return that I know it’s time to adjust to the rhythm of life for summer to approach.
Proof That Deer Really Do Love Hosta
One of the most asked questions we get at the nursery is:” What plants are deer resistant?” It is well known that deer love to munch on Hosta.They love it so much apparently, one mother decided to give birth early this morning amongst the hosta in my greenhouse.
Behnkes Takes Action on Neonicotinoids!
Behnke Nurseries is concerned about the health of bees and other pollinators. Working with the environmental group Friends of the Earth, it’s developed a company policy regarding the sale and use of neonicotinoid-containing insecticides. While the scientists continue to work…
Butterfly/Pollinator Gardening Made Easy
A newbie butterfly gardener in Greenbelt recently asked the local email group for their plant suggestions for her new garden, and local gardeners had some to offer. But my top tip would be for her to consult with Karen Coppens…
Hummingbird Season Begins!
Today isn’t just Tax Day; it’s the official beginning of Hummingbird Season! Sightings have been reported in NC and parts of VA and you can monitor their journey here: 2014 Hummingbird Migration Map. So it’s time to get your feeders…
Eat Like A Bird? Not in my Yard!
This past Tuesday I took a chance that weather predictions of impending snow would come true and stayed home from work. I had a “to do” list for inside the house work, already prepared, for when we get a significant snow.
Shopping for Pollinators and Other Critters to Observe
Yesterday was the Greenbelt Garden Tour that I’d worked for weeks to organize. About a week ago I remembered that I needed to get my own garden ready for the tour, too, so the weeding and mulching began and finally…
Build Your Own Butterfly Garden
Bring The Butterflies Home With These Shrubs Butterflies need two types of plants: as adults, they need Nectar Plants: that is, plants with flowers. Below are some good nectar plants. Find the key to the photos on the link. They…