Farmers Market a feast for the eyes

With many colorful plants and fruits, the Farmers Market is a feast for the eyes. Photo by Darrell Blackwelder, for the Salisbury Post.

Katherine Jones

For the Salisbury Post

Last Saturday I visited the Farmers Market when it opened at 7 a.m. As usual, I strolled through looking at what all the vendors had displayed. That is the process I go through each week to help me decide what I will purchase that day. I have to keep reminding myself over and over that I have only one refrigerator that can only accommodate a certain amount of produce and my landscaping area is not of sufficient size to allow me to cart away every plant I see.

Also, I make notes as I pass through that will aid me in preparing this report. When I stopped to speak to David Correll about what he expected to harvest this week I was rendered almost speechless. The first word I entered on my notepad was "beautiful." The next notation was "artistic; looks like a canvas." The arrangements and colors astounded me. Purple carrots and onions, white and red radishes, deep red beets, lacy red and green lettuces, the textures and colors blending and becoming as beautiful as any painting I have ever seen. Then I looked around at all the other vendors and was amazed to see that every booth, without exception, was just as spectacular as the next. Whether it was baked goods, plants, crafts or produce, these displays were all works of art.

Beginning in June, Sue Davis and I will feature one vendor each week. We will give you a little background information on each and give you a chance to know these people that have been so dedicated in making our Farmers Market so successful.

This week, there will be local tart, red cooking cherries as well as squash. Cole crops are still plentiful although not for very long. Strawberries still occupy center stage as well as plants of all descriptions.

There are many interesting projects ahead for the market this summer. Sue and I will keep you posted.

I am looking forward to the cooking demonstrations similar to those conducted last year.

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Katherine Jones is a Master Gardener volunteer for the Cooperative Extension Service in Rowan County. She and Sue Davis will be providing a Farmers Market update each week.

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For more information about the Farmers Market visit www.salisburyfarmersmarket.com. The Farmers Market is located in downtown Salisbury at the corner of South Main and Bank streets. It is open on Wednesday from 7 a.m.- 1 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m.-noon.