Polk County Master Gardeners
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Gardiner's Holiday
Even if your vegetable garden is flourishing, a trip to the local farmers
market just might be in order. Not only will you find all the things you are
undoubtedly growing yourself, but quite a few that maybe you have not thought
of.
Our farmers market operates three days a week (Tuesday, Thursday, and
Saturday) opening at 7:00 am and closing when they run out of things to
sell - which is usually somewhere between 9:00 and 10:00 am. One of their rules is
that all produce offered for sale must be grown in Polk County. Much of what is
offered there is organically grown - ask the vendors if that is important to you.
The market is located on Sherwood Lane right beside the Depot. Of course if
there is something special you are looking for, it might pay to get there by
7:00 am. On Thursday, the blueberries were all gone by 7:15!
In addition to the tomatoes, squash, and peas that I was almost certain I
would find, there were some things (such as Armenian cucumbers) that I not only
did not expect, I did not know existed.
One vendor was offering home-baked bread (they grind their own wheat - how is
that for fresh?) and wonderful sweet rolls and muffins. Another had cantaloupes
that we sniffed as we walked up. They turned out to be as good as my nose
promised when combined with the sweet rolls and some local honey for breakfast.
All from the Farmers Market. Makes getting up so early not quite such a pain.
In addition to winter and summer squash, peaches, okra, several kinds of
peppers, green beans and tomatoes, we found pickles and jam and plants for sale.
Another reason for going is to talk to the farmers. Many have forgotten more
about growing plants than I will ever know, and most are willing to share the
knowledge.
So if you would like some great produce, a chat with your friends and
neighbors, and a chance to ask someone what to do about the squash bugs or
Japanese Beetles that have been plaguing you, try a trip to the local Farmers
Market.
And remember to check out the Polk County Master Gardeners web page at
http://www.uaex.edu/polk/MG/ for more gardening tips.
By Barbara M. Tobias
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