By Katherine Jones
For the Salisbury Post
Twenty-one vendors braved the heat last week to provide the market patrons with a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, homemade baked goods and interesting crafts. The dog days of summer arrived earlier than usual this year but so far there is plenty of locally grown produce. Excessive high temperature for an extended period of time causes blooms to drop from some vegetable plants resulting in no product from those plants. Hopefully this week will provide better growing conditions for the foods we enjoy so much in summer.
This week, weather permitting, there should be plenty of corn, tomatoes and okra along with squash and cucumbers. Purple hull peas are now available as well as beets, potatoes, zucchini, eggplant and assorted peppers. You can also expect to see blueberries, blackberries, peaches, watermelons and cantaloupes.
Many crafters are at the market each week. You can see very unusual bird houses made from recycled materials. A wide selection of needlework, glass art, jewelry made using nickel free products and many other interesting creations are on display.
Learn more about all the vendors and their products by visiting www.salisburyfarmersmarket.com. You can also register to receive the weekly newsletter online.
The Salisbury Farmers Market is located at the corner of South Main and Bank streets and is open every Wednesday and Saturday from 7 a.m. until noon.
Katherine Jones is an extension Master Gardener volunteer for the Cooperative Extension Service in Rowan County.