You’ll see unmistakable signs of spring when you come to the
market tomorrow, starting at the turn off the highway. Susie Scarecrow who
stands by the highway sign has her new spring outfit on. Well, new to her since
she shops at the second-hand shop. Susie has a secret name. De Hunt, our
volunteer cart driver and a market board member, calls her “Our Lady of
Perpetual Marketing.” I know some media
folks who would call me that, too, but it’s easy to tell us apart. She’s the
one with the dress and apron on.
Another sure sign of spring – the return of Terrell Creek Farm.
Every winter Terrell Creek disappears from the market. Their goats are busy
making babies and there is no milk for cheese. Come spring the farm is awash
with baby goats and the milk is flowing again. So come to the market Saturday
for some of the best goat cheese in the state. (above - One of Terrell Creek's kids)
And finally, what would spring be without flowers? The Greens will be at the market with bedding
plants – petunias, dahlias and red salvia – and with vegetable plants –
tomatoes and red onions and candy onions.
Another sign of spring – we’re opening up the south portion of
the pavilion. We expect each week to fill it further south until we’re packed –
probably about when we open for the regular season April 19 – and then as we
hit the high season to spread up the center aisle and out onto the grass!Tomorrow, we’ll be loaded with produce. We had some gorgeous carrots, beets, leeks, onions, radishes and amazing greens – lettuce, chard, micro-greens, spinach, boc choy and more last Saturday. (left - Xiong Farm table last Saturday) Cottage Small will be back with freshly roasted coffee beans. We’ll have LOTS of farm fresh eggs. Sunny Lane will have chicken, beef and lamb, Penn Acres, goat meat. Redings Mill Bread Company (below) and Cottage Vanilla return after a brief absence.
Mabel’s breakfast was a big hit last Saturday so she’s doing it
again – biscuit and gravy for $2.50 and an egg fresh from the farm cooked to
order for 50 cents. William Adkins will perform.
Spring is taking hold at the Kids Garden too. Monday morning
volunteers will help some 200 kindergarteners plant potatoes there. Next fall
they’ll return as first graders to see the result. On Wednesday, middle
schoolers interested in gardening will meet at the market to plant onions. Tim
Green is giving us lots of his beautiful red onion and candy onion plants to
put in the garden. Then at the end of April, we’ll start gardening in earnest
when Tim provides us with some sturdy tomato plants. We’re excited about
getting the garden in a bit earlier this year. Usually we’re waiting on the
soil to dry enough for tilling now. I’m hoping for a very good year, for the
kids garden and for our growers. Heaven knows, they deserve it.
Come to the market tomorrow and enjoy the bounty of a promising
year. See you there!
