Local First Friday: Valley View Farms

Guest Blog by Joelle Lang

The history behind it:

Valley View Farms has grown from a small roadside produce stand to one of the largest, most complete garden centers in the Mid-Atlantic region. Brothers Billy and Punkey Foard opened Valley View Farms on Friday, April 13, 1962, as a produce stand to augment a largest wholesale vegetable growing operation. As the store expanded in size to become the premiere garden center in the Baltimore metro area, several year-round and seasonal departments were added that have provided a continuously dynamic shooing experience for our customers. Today, Valley View Farms is owned and operated by father and son team, Billy and Andy Foard.

What it’s like today:

Valley View Farms is located Cockeysville/Hunt Valley, Maryland, and open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. During the spring season, Valley View Farms offers a complete selection of trees and shrubs, vegetable and flowering annual and perennial plants, and planters, trellis, soil, and other planting accessories necessary to help customers achieve success in their gardens. They also have a patio furniture department. The Water Garden department is stocked with waterlilies, aquatic plants, fish, and accessories. In the fall, Valley View Farms becomes a holiday wonderland, with decorated trees, a huge outdoor lights display, and an international Christmas shop with ornaments and gifts from around the world.   

What makes it special:

Valley View Farms is family-owned and operated, and visiting the farm is a family tradition for a lot of local families. Valley View Farms also provides the largest selection of vegetable and flowering annual and perennial plants in the states and promises a unique garden shopping experience.  

About the Author 

Joelle Lang, a senior at the University of Maryland, College Park, is a multi-platform journalism student in the Philip Merrill College of Journalism. This autumn, she is also an editorial intern for Washington Gardener Magazine.

"Local First Friday" is a weekly blog series profiling independent garden businesses in the greater Washington, DC, and Mid-Atlantic region. Washington Gardener Magazine believes strongly in supporting and sourcing from local businesses first!

Local First Friday: Greenstreet Gardens

Guest Blog by Joelle Lang

The history behind it:

In June 2000, Ray and Stacy Greenstreet purchased a greenhouse operation in southern Anne Arundel County, Lothian, MD, to grow some plants and raise their family. But Greenstreet’s roots actually began in the mid ’70s on the existing 65-acre farm. At that time, a small rooting station was established to grow plants for Ball Seed Company wholesale customers. As the years passed, neighbors and locals bought the extra plants for their gardens.

Word-of-mouth referrals helped build the landscaper and homeowner side of the business. In the summer of 2000, the Greenstreets expanded the property to the ever-evolving business of today. Greenstreet Growers, Inc., home of Greenstreet Gardens, is a dynamic complex, located around the corner from Prince George’s and Calvert counties.

What it’s like today:

Greenstreet Gardens in a family-owned business open all year round. They provide annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs, and native plants. They provide green wall plants for both exterior and interior spaces. They also offer garden tools, home décor, a landscaping service, tools for birding, and plants that would thrive in an aquatic garden.

Greenstreet Gardens is both a retail and wholesale garden center. They have three retail locations in Lothian, Md, Alexandria, VA, and in Del Ray, VA, where they sell their products and host events such as gingerbread decorating for the holiday season and live music. Their wholesale shop is located in Lothian, MD. They own a 65-acre farm in Maryland and grow most of their products that they sell there. They also have 23 greenhouses in Maryland.

What makes it special:

Greenstreet Gardens is dedicated to supporting local businesses. They sell local meats, jewelry and even local popcorn at events such as their fall festival. They also run a local farmer’s market during the summer.  

The garden center also offers unique events all year, including hosting Santa every weekend during the Christmas season.

About the Author 

Joelle Lang, a senior at the University of Maryland, College Park, is a multi-platform journalism student in the Philip Merrill College of Journalism. This autumn, she is also an editorial intern for Washington Gardener Magazine.

"Local First Friday" is a weekly blog series profiling independent garden businesses in the greater Washington, DC, and Mid-Atlantic region. Washington Gardener Magazine believes strongly in supporting and sourcing from local businesses first!

Local First Friday: The Behnke Nurseries Co.

Guest Blog by Joelle Lang

The history behind it: 

The Behnke Nurseries Co. was founded in 1930 by Albert Behnke. Albert, whose father was an award-winning horticulturist, traveled from his home in Kellinghusen, Germany, to Beltsville, Maryland, in search of a better future. He took a few jobs working with something he knew, flowers, before opening Behnke Nurseries. The company faced rough times in its early years, suffering through the Depression as well as a statewide drought. After WWII, however, the nursery experienced profound growth and expanded its small selection of plants to include annuals, perennials, roses, shrubs, and trees. Behnke Nurseries was the first company to own a modern greenhouse after the war. Since then, three more modern greenhouses were erected on the property.  

What it’s like today:

Behnke Nurseries, located on Baltimore Avenue and open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the week (and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday,) offers annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs, houseplants, herbs and vegetables, and a garden shop fit with gardening materials such as seeds and fertilizer, and books and calendars. They provide services such as landscaping, deliveries, and basic planting services. The store also hosts events all year such as speakers, activity workshops, and live music.

 

What makes it special:

“We have been really lucky that we have the best employees that anyone has ever had,” said vice president and marketing manager Stephanie Fleming. The employees at The Behnke Nurseries Co. make it unique because of their extensive knowledge of plants and horticulture and their passion for gardening.

   Product-wise, the store offers an exceptionally vast selection of perennials as well as a huge line of native plants.

About the Author 

Joelle Lang, a senior at the University of Maryland, College Park, is a multi-platform journalism student in the Philip Merrill College of Journalism. This autumn, she is also an editorial intern for Washington Gardener Magazine.

"Local First Friday" is a weekly blog series profiling independent garden businesses in the greater Washington, DC, and Mid-Atlantic region. Washington Gardener Magazine believes strongly in supporting and sourcing from local businesses first!

Local First Friday: Merrifield Garden Center

Guest Blog by Joelle Lang

The History Behind It:

Merrifield Garden Center is a family-owned business that has been serving North Virginia and the DC metro area since 1971. About 44 years ago, founder Bob Warhurst asked his friend and co-founder, Buddy Williams, to help him open a nursery and garden center. The pair scouted out an open patch of land between Lee Highway and Gallows Road and the company grew from there. The shop first opened as a barn, a small store, and with less than an acre of plants. The founders vowed to value customer service, exceptional quality, and superior selection.

While Bob and Buddy have both passed away, their children, spouses, and grandchildren run the shops today.    

What’s It is Like Today:

Merrifield Garden Center has three locations in Virginia: Merrifield, Fairfax, and Gainesville. They offer plants ranging from trees and shrubs to tropical houseplants and vegetables. They provide gardening supplies and planters, home decor and gifts, and landscaping services. The stores also have Plant Clinics, where customers can come in to ask about landscape management and the best products to use for the environment.  

The locations host events every month and around the holidays, such as Ladies Night Out and Wreath workshops.

Dedicated to environmental health, Merrifield Garden Center plants tens of thousands of trees around the area every year, and recycles soil and brush from landscape jobs. They also carry native plants, which are critical for sustaining birds and butterflies.   

Aside from servicing individual gardeners, Merrifield Gardens also provides plants and landscape expertise to local, state, and federal government agencies such as schools, parks, golf courses, and commercial properties.

What Makes It Special:  

Merrifield Garden Center (http://merrifieldgardencenter.com/) states that they have “one of the largest and most complete nurseries in the country.”

Merrifield Garden Center strives to provide the newest and cutting edge varieties that come out each year, along with the tried-and-true varieties that customers will have success with. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable and can help with any questions or problems customers have.

About the Author 

Joelle Lang, a senior at the University of Maryland, College Park, is a multi-platform journalism student in the Philip Merrill College of Journalism. This autumn, she is also an editorial intern for Washington Gardener Magazine.

"Local First Friday" is a weekly blog series profiling independent garden businesses in the greater Washington, DC, and Mid-Atlantic region. Washington Gardener Magazine believes strongly in supporting and sourcing from local businesses first!

Local First Friday: Meadows Farms

Guest Blog by Joelle Lang

The History Behind It:

Meadows Farms have been supplying the Washington, DC, region with plants since 1960. Farmer Bill Meadows, who founded the company 55 years ago, began by selling tomatoes in a broken-down van door-to-door with his high school students. The nursery business began when a grower asked Farmer Bill to sell his distressed plants after another nursery closed. Farmer Bill found a permanent shop, one without wheels, in which to sell the plants and the company grew from there. Farmer Bill has since retired, but his son, Jay Meadows, now serves as Meadows Farms’ president.

What’s It is Like Today:

There are 22 Meadows Farms located around DC in Maryland and Virginia. They offer outdoor trees and shrubs, annuals and perennials, mulch, soil, fertilizer, and garden accessories. The company also has an additional location that handles landscape and employs over 30 designers. Their landscape service, in which they design and install things such as plants, decks, and ponds, spans all around the beltway. While the locations vary in their hours, most locations run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and all but two nurseries close for the months of January and February.   

What Makes It Special:  

With regards to the retail division, Meadows Farms has a tremendous plant selection and still offers reasonable prices well under many other nurseries.

With regards to the landscape division, Meadows Farms has a lifetime guarantee for any plants they install. If a plant dies, Meadows Farms will cover the cost of the plant so you can purchase a new one.   

About the Author 

Joelle Lang, a senior at the University of Maryland, College Park, is a multi-platform journalism student in the Philip Merrill College of Journalism. This autumn, she is also an editorial intern for Washington Gardener Magazine.

"Local First Friday" is a weekly blog series profiling independent garden businesses in the greater Washington, DC, and Mid-Atlantic region. Washington Gardener Magazine believes strongly in supporting and sourcing from local businesses first!

Local First Friday: American Plant

Guest Blog by Joelle Lang

The History Behind It:

“When we were children our father instilled in us the importance of respect, politeness and honesty in our work. Our grandfather built this business on the principle of treating your customers like they are a guest in your own home.” 

That statement was made by Brett Shorb, who co-owns the 90-year-old garden business, American Plant, along with his brothers Todd and Erik.

The brothers, standing on the shoulders of their grandfather and father, said that they believe the strong generational commitment to American Plant will allow for the company to continue thriving.   

When the Shrob brother’s mother was diagnosed with cancer, the company began to place a large emphasis on removing chemical pesticides and fertilizers. They stand as the leader in chemical removal still today.

What’s It Like Today:

American Plant has two locations on River Road in Bethesda, serving the entire metro area form 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday. They sell plants, flowers, trees, and shrubs as well as a line of tools, seeds, soils, and mulches. They also sell decorative items for the home. American Plant has a landscape design team that customizes outdoor spaces as well.  

Tinge, the company’s lifestyle boutique, is just a few years old. While the company offered home décor items in the past, they have only recently build a separate space in their stores to showcase the boutique.  

The store located at 5258 River Road is currently being redesigned.

American Plant has an active voice on social media, posting on Facebook and Twitter about garden facts, deals, and plant news almost daily.

What Makes It Special:

American Plant is a family-owned business. It is run by generations of passionate gardeners, and when a new generation begins to manage the company, a whole new set of goals, and idea come with them.

American Plant is full-service location both for inside and outdoor spaces, and they offer a large variety of specialty plants all year round. 

About the Author 

Joelle Lang, a senior at the University of Maryland, College Park, is a multi-platform journalism student in the Philip Merrill College of Journalism. This autumn, she is also an editorial intern for Washington Gardener Magazine.

"Local First Friday" is a weekly blog series profiling independent garden businesses in the greater Washington, DC, and Mid-Atlantic region. Washington Gardener Magazine believes strongly in supporting and sourcing from local businesses first!