Sep52011
6 Comments
INSTANT SURVIVAL TIP: What can a farmer’s market do for you?
Print 
PDF
image by empracht
Farmer’s markets sprout up just about anywhere and everywhere you might find farmers. In fact, you don’t even need to be an official farmer to be a vendor, just a really successful home gardener!
In my Survival Mom Radio Hour on September 1, I interviewed Nurse Amy, and we discussed farmer’s markets. Naturally, you can buy fresh, usually organic produce from local growers, but here are four more excellent reasons to stop for a few minutes the next time you see that “Farmer’s Market!” sign.
- Ask the farmers what produce grows best in your area. They’ll be able to tell you what varieties to plant, how to work with the local soil, and a whole lot more. My experience with seed catalogs and most gardening books is that they’re written by and for people living in climate zones 5, 6, and 7. If you live in more extreme climates, as I do, your local growers will be worth a visit, and maybe a purchase, in order to pick their brains, and they may be willing to tell you the best places to buy seeds and seedlings.
- Start saving seeds using the produce purchased at a farmer’s market. Obviously these varieties grow well in your area, so why not remove the seeds, wash them, and dry them on a plate? Store the seeds in small envelopes. Be sure to label and date. By the way, master gardener Marjory Wildcraft recommends using ammo boxes to store seeds. She says they’re the perfect size!
- What do these farmers do in the off season? How do they prepare their land for the next growing season? What do they plant in the harsher months, if anything? If you’re like most gardeners, there are certain times of the year when you’re tempted to throw up your hands and forget about the garden until a kinder, gentler season rolls along. But is this what local growers do? How do they cope with extra harsh summers? Make a list of all your toughest questions and then make the rounds among the farmers at the market.
- Use their varieties to do your research. Don’t just take a seed catalog’s word for it. Not all farmers grow the same varieties, so look around and buy one tomato of each variety you see, and then one cucumber and one bag of green beans of each variety. After tasting each one, you decide which to plant. Be sure to ask each farmer where he/she buys seeds.
© 2011, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.
(6) Readers Comments
Leave a Reply
INSTANT SURVIVAL TIP: "One Year Food Supply!" A good deal or not?
Youtube is a great place to see how to make rocket stoves, hobo stoves
An Interview with Professional Survival Mom Suzanne
Thanks, PJ! There are so many great people in this community. Lots o
An Interview with Professional Survival Mom Suzanne
The shop looks great. Going to get the book now. Thanks!!
OffgridSurvival
I love your point on #3…. Farmers Markets are the best palce to go to find out exactly what you should be growing in your local environment. Aside from it being a great way to eat local foods, the knowledge you can obtain from going to your local farmers market is invaluable
millenniumfly
I love taking advantage of other people's knowledge; farmer's markets are one I didn't think about. Thanks.
Lady Di
Always keep in mind that you must buy NON-HYBRID SEEDS if you wish to "save" seeds for replanting. or the next crop will not produce like fruits and veggies or flowers
Jan
Be warned that some farmers markets have produce coming in from a few hours away. I found out that our farmers market sells organic, but 3 vendors bring it in from various locations 2 hours away. We are in the mountians with a shorter growing season and the produce is coming from the valley with a nearly year round growing season. I found that out two eyars ago when asking about produce at the farmers market. Now I know who the real local growers are and they are wonderful when it comes to sharing gardening advice.
Bets'
Look for locally harvested raw honey, it aids in alleviating seasonal allergies, is anti bacterial and is a good trade item.
LANE131
It is not as easy as it would seem. I got a few acres a few years ago, moving from town to the country and everything i planted die, the first two years of planting. Give yourself time to learn.OLIVER WENDALL DOUGLAS
has nothing on me. (Watch green arces if you do not know who i mean).