Saturday, July 5, 2008

first wet farmer's market!

I have just got home from a wet, windy, chilly farmer's market. Regardless, a fair number of customers turned up - good for them! The Gibsons Farmer's Market needs support, from both the vendors and the customers; it is kind of a symbiotic relationship - they both need each other! My business is all about 'local' and 'community' so I'm committed to supporting this market even though I know it is likely more lucrative to attend other markets.

This past week I had some beautiful cauliflowers and some broccoli for my CSA customers, and this coming week I'm excited because there will be new Russian fingerling potatoes ready. I had some last night - very tasty! The fennel bulb is still producing and thickening, so it is good to know that they don't all come at once and that I can stagger harvesting them. By the way roasted fennel bulb is absolutely delicious, I had some last night!

I'm learning which items I did not plant enough of; I'm already thinking ahead to next year and what I will plant substantially more of and what I will plant less of. More cauliflower, broccoli, cabbages, arugula, peas, fennel bulb, leeks. Less lettuce and mizuna!!! Although I'm overrun with them this year you just never know how they will grow year to year so perhaps I will just keep growing as much as I can. Also, I am planning on having double the customers for next year.

I'm very excited about my canteloupe. They are my little babies that I am nursing along. There are five growing right now and there should be more as they are still flowering. Keep your fingers crossed that they keep thriving and there just may be locally grown, organic cantaloupe in a few months!!

Check out this beautiful picture I couldn't resist taking of freshly picked beet greens and viola flowers - gorgeous - I love my work!