By Katherine Jones
For The Salisbury Post
Strawberries were once again very plentiful last week at the Salisbury Farmers Market, and there will be a good supply this week as well. Steve Eagle said he cannot predict how much longer berries can be picked because if the weather continues to be very warm the berry production will decline drastically. If you’re planning to make strawberry jam this year, now is the time to get your berries.
Sugar snap peas made a first appearance for the season at Bostian Farm and Eagles Produce. Good looking red beets were at the Correll Farm booth but David says the radishes are gone for now. He will still have asparagus, sweet onions, six varieties of lettuce, leeks, turnips and several selections of cole crops. Miller Farm had pretty lettuce as well as strawberries.
Some of the nicest plants I have ever seen are at the market now. Whether you garden on a large or small scale or just have a few containers the plants you need are available. There are many selections of tomato, cucumber, squash, herbs, flowering annuals, perennials and novelty plants. There are hanging baskets and readymade containers that are quick color for your patio. Cut flowers are really nice and Lee Ly or Seng’s Flowers put together stunning arrangements.
How Sweet It Is is offering pepperoni cheddar bread among their many items available and Carla Anne’s Cookies has some outstanding scones. This week The Bread Basket will have a cherry cream cheese coffee cake.
Domisty Menius of Wild Turkey Farms tells me they are now offering cheese made in Gibsonville by Calico Farmstead Cheese Co. Some of the selections available this week are mozzarella balls and roasted pepper garlic, as well as homemade butter.
Many crafters are at the market each week. Last Saturday a new vendor, Daydreamer Glass, was displaying some handmade glass items by artist Forrest Day, including pendants, watering globes, vases and flower sculptures. Cindy Sipp does beautiful quilting and teaches classes if you are interested in learning to quilt.
This Saturday at the market a world champion balloon artist, Michael J. Decker, will be on hand to make balloon art for the kids. Also, Sacred Heart Catholic School will be selling their cookbooks. The Bread Riot will be selling tickets for their local food event “Riot in the Pasture.”
The 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 a Master Gardener volunteer for the Cooperative Extension Service in Rowan County.