April 30, 2005

Summer Hours have resumed at the market, open at 8:00 AM.

Spring is busting out at the Arlington Farmers Market. With the return of the summer market we are seeing more of the familiar vendors, and a few new ones. Leeds Town Farm has fresh Asparagus and should have strawberries in 2 weeks and Shore Phesh and Phancee has greenhouse-grown strawberries for another week or two. Twin Springs Fruit Farm has Eggplants and Tomatoes from their greenhouses. Plus there are plenty of other fresh greens and winter vegetables from a variety of producers in addition to the breads, cheeses, meats and jams.

Also in abundance at the market are herbs, vegetable and bedding plants for your own indoor and outdoor plantings. Tomato plants for a wide variety of size and color fruits are available from multiple vendors. Shop around and impress your neighbors. Many herbs - not just parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme - are available, so look back thru your recipes for those “what was that again” ingredients and ask at the market. If your tastes run more to the decorative, you can select from begonias, geraniums, impatience, and several more spring and summer bloomers. Selling these plants help some of the AFM growers fill the gap between winter vegetables and spring produce.

Remember, if you want advice on selecting or growing, not only are the growers happy to talk to you about their plants, but Virginia Cooperative Extension volunteer Master Gardeners are again staffing a both to offer advice on growing fruits, vegetables other houseplants, and lawn, garden, and tree care.

The last frost day in this area tends to be in late April, although our cool spring may suggest waiting to early May to put plants outside. Here are links to a few fact sheets that will help your get a good start with your potted or garden plants.

Purchasing an Interior Plant - http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-100/426-100.html

Small Space and Container Gardening - http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/envirohort/articles/vegetables/con tgrdn.html

Vegetable Gardening in Containers - http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-336/426-336.html