By Sue Davis
For the Salisbury Post
I arrived at the Salisbury Farmers Market about 7 a.m. last Saturday. It was dark, but busy with vendors still organizing their tables and talking among themselves. Only a handful of customers were wandering about. The atmosphere is different at opening than it is after 9 a.m. From a customer point of view, you are the primary focus, no waiting and no people to work around. One fellow customer told me she liked to be first at the market because everything is “perfect”! Last Saturday, my visit to the market ended with a beautiful sunrise.
I had time to talk with many of the vendors about what is coming and what is new. Mike Miller was putting out corn. Miller Farm hopes to have fresh sweet corn for this Saturday. We have been blessed by a long and robust corn season this year. Country Gardens has new crops of lima beans, October beans, green beans and field peas this week. Sue Eagle has the fall crop of German Johnson tomatoes for us. They should last well into fall. Peppers, okra, squash, tomatoes, greens are available from many vendors. Local sweet potatoes and white potatoes are available as well. Jack Gill, “Mr. Greens” has a mix of mustard greens, Swiss chard, turnip greens and kale which is local fall favorite. Jack always has a good story to tell about his adventures raising greens. Lee Ly has small kale, bok choy, Chinese broccoli, Nappa Cabbage and other greens. Her flowers, especially dahlias are beautiful. Blue Bird Acre Farms have beautiful cantaloupes and small tender greens.
Each week new varieties of apples appear. This week Eagle Farm has Winesaps, in addition to lunch-box-sized Empire, Gala and Golden Delicious. They also have Asian Pears. Bread Basket and How Sweet It Is feature interesting varieties of breads, cakes and cookies made with local fruits. Have you taken time to try the Bread Basket’s line of jams and preserves?
Everyone is waiting for the arrival of pumpkins, winter squash and other fall favorites. They should be appearing soon!
The Salisbury Farmers Market is located at the corner of South Main and Bank streets. Visit the Farmers Market on Saturdays from 7 a.m. until noon.
Sue Davis is an Extension Master Gardener Volunteer with Cooperative Extension Service in Rowan County.