Behnkes History - Part II

Drought, Sweat, Tears...and Roses

By Sabrina Martin

Behnke Nurseries faced rough times in the early years. Albert Behnke opened the nursery in 1930. Not only was this during the Depression, but Maryland was also suffering from a prolonged drought. Business was very slow so he and his wife, Rose, took extra jobs to provide for themselves and their growing family.

The Behnke's first son, Roland, was born in 1932, followed by Sonja in 1933 and William in 1934. In 1948, Albert H. was born. With a loan from his father, Albert was able to purchase the one acre of land upon which the original office and Behnke home stood.

He bought the land from the Simms-Jones family who developed Beltsville and owned a general store near the nursery. The rest of the land that the nursery occupied was rented. Horses were rented from a farmer to plow and cultivate the fields that grew the first crop of roses. The original sign was erected along Route 1 and the Behnkes were ready for business.

(pictured above, greenhouse about 1950 - 1955)