While Joy knew roses, she readily admits that other gardening knowledge came the hard way. The first time a customer asked her if she had pachysandra, for example, Joy uttered "no" in shocked surprise, convinced she’d been asked whether she had a fatal disease. Today, Joy has a wide range of general plant knowledge, daily fielding questions on everything from why tomatoes aren’t ripening on schedule to tropical plant diseases. Although officially retired, Joy is in the garden center seven days a week, waiting on customers, doing the books, and showering her employees with edible treats.

     During the hectic spring season, when it is not uncommon for employees to work seventy hours a week, Joy’s sense of humor goes the mile to bolster morale. Asked what keeps her own spirits up, Joy responds, "having been able to spend my adult working life with my children" (all three have joined the business). She truly enjoys the daily interaction with the customers and employees. "Spring" at Johannsen’s usually begins in late January, as employees start the first geraniums and orders are placed for endless numbers of potting supplies and general merchandise. While some may dread the frenetic pace of the season to come, Joy relishes the bustle and activity.