Greg’s Garden July 7th, 2014
By Mari Miller
Waiting For Harvest
We are at that point in the growing season that the early vegetables are finished and the next crop is about 2-3 weeks from harvest. We watch and water and weed. Nothing exciting except it is nice to see the little green tomatoes and the starts of the ears of corn. There are lots of blooms on the lima beans and some very small green beans hanging from their posts. A handful of sunflowers stand watch over my rhubarb plants and I still get a cucumber or two every few days.
Since we are at a standstill phase, I wanted to bring you more information about the new Farmer’s Market available every Wednesday and Saturday in Henderson. See below for some updates and a listing of what will be available for purchase. SEE YOU AT THE MARKET!
Coming to the Farmer’s Market on Wed. July 9th!
Below is a partial list of what the vendors will be bringing to the market. It is dated July 5th, the last date prior to this issue of Greg’s Garden July 7th, 2014.
The vegetable list will be similar on Wednesdays, except the market will have a pastry baker on site serving breakfast items and rolls for your enjoyment. Come check it out!
What’s at the market – Saturday – July 5, 2014
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Vegetables:
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Beets
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Blackberries
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Cabbage
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Cantaloupes
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Cucumbers
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Corn (Hopefully by the Truckload)
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Eggplant
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Green Beans
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Honey
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Okra
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Onions-White &Yellow
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Peaches
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Peas
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Peppers-Bell & Hot
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Potatoes
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Sauces-Hot & Mild
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Squash
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Tomatoes-Red & Green (Lots!)
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Watermelon
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Zucchini
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Plus:
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Baked Goods
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Crafts – Soaps/Walking sticks/Handmade crafts/Candles/Gift Baskets/Cards
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Flowers for sale
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Plants for sale
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Vance County Regional Farmers Market Advisory Board Meets
On Thursday, July 3rd, the Advisory Board for the Farmers Market met. They discussed the new signage that will be placed out on Beckford Drive. As soon as all the permits are obtained, it will be permanently placed to direct the public to the entrance of the market.
During the Grand Opening on June 28th traffic was an issue. Though no accidents were reported, cars and trucks lined the roadways all along Southpark Drive where the market is located. A lengthy discussion on how to better handle the traffic problems led to the board members decision that they will contact both city and county officials for possible available resolutions.
It was also noted that the average foot traffic on Wednesdays was around 200 people, the grand opening saw over 550 attendees. The month of June was determined as a good start and the members look forward to more vendors as the berry and peach seasons approach.
Discussions also included what kinds of vegetables or fruits met the guidelines originally set up for the market. Some concerns were raised about the possibility of “outside” produce coming in. Guidelines state that the produce must be from the 5 county surrounding areas unless there are no producers of the vegetable or fruit currently in the 5 county areas. For instance, a vendor can bring peaches from Raleigh if no other vendor in the 5 county areas has any peaches currently ready for the market. But, a farmer cannot bring to the market any vegetables that he knows were provided outside the 5 county areas when current vendors are selling the same vegetables from their own farms. Sweet corn was used as an example of this when the problem was discussed. The vendors represented on the advisory board will work with the manager of the market to try and police this issue with “peer influence”.
Also on the agenda for discussion were a few items of “housekeeping”. Vendors are to be reminded that it is their responsibility to clean their assigned stalls prior to leaving for the day and no alterations to the building will be allowed. It was determined that signage by the vendor was allowed as long as it is tied with strings to the overhead doors and not mounted in any way with permanent attachments. No Smoking/No Pets signage will be added to the market building and surrounding area as soon as the precise verbiage is determined by the board.
Dessert followed the closing of the meeting.
The next meeting will be advertised so that the public can be invited to attend. This writer was pleased to be able to watch the board proceed through many discussions and look forward to future meetings ahead.
Coming in the next issue on July 21st:
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What are we harvesting now
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What does the Farmer’s Market have for sale
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Garden issues arising from the hot summer heat