Newsletter Vol. 1, Issue 10

Yesterday was a hot one!  After record-breaking high temperatures in Arizona this week, I wasn't sure how many people we would see braving the sunny and *ahem* unseasonably warm day to visit the farmers' market.  But I was so pleased to see crowds of loyal customers who were not to be daunted by an overzealous sun.

And I know they were glad they came.  Just look at what the market had to offer yesterday!

This is the place to be for fresh, local produce.  You may have heard that we all need to be eating a "rainbow" of fruits and vegetables to stay healthy.  And it doesn't get much more colorful than this!

Special Feature
We were privileged to have Catherine Crowley, "The Herb Lady," as our special guest yesterday.  She is a wealth of information for those of us trying to garden in the desert Southwest.  She had great tips and an informational handout, which I posted here last week.  If you don't know what you should be planting in your garden right now, check it out!

It may have been hot...
But when it's hot, the limeade tastes soooo delicious.

The jewelry sparkles that much brighter.

And the fresh baked goods have a tantalizing aroma.

 














A Giving Spirit
Yesterday Holly set out some beautiful vegetables to raise some money for a great cause.  Thank you Holly (and the donating garden!) for giving to our community!

Don't miss it!
Next week may be one of your last chances to get your hands on some juicy peaches from Reevis Mountain.  And if you don't know Peter and Patricia Bigfoot yet, you need to meet them!  I visited their website today, and was impressed to learn that they not only grow delicious produce, but they are experts when it comes to self-reliance skills such as herbal medicines and wilderness survival.  And they offer classes so you can learn it too! 

The Herb Lady

Catherine, "The Herb Lady", is coming to our Farmers' Market tomorrow! 

Find her blog here.

Read about National More Herbs, Less Salt Day here.

Following is a copy of the handout she'll have for us at the market.  This is great information, because it is so difficult to find planting guides for our unique climate here in Globe.  I'm excited to find out what else she has to share with us!

Globe Farmers Market – August 27, 2011

Catherine, The Herb Lady answers questions on growing edibles in the desert.

If you garden why not make it a “two-fer” you can enjoy the process, the variety, fragrance, texture and beauty and then you bring the bounty into the kitchen and create delicious
and healthy meals.

1) most edibles need as much direct sun as you can give them, at the very least a
minimum of 4-6 hours a day;
2) soil must be well-draining;
3) deep water and allow the soil to dry out some — use a moisture meter to avoid overwatering;

Globe area vs. Lower Valley (Phoenix Metro)

The Globe area is USDA Zone 7, Sunset Zone 10, Arizona Zone 4. The Phoenix Metro area is
USDA Zone 9b, Sunset Zone 13 and Arizona Zone 1 and is considered Sub-Tropical with about
20 potential freeze nights a year - usually not a hard or killing frost as compared to Globe’s
colder winter nights with hard freeze. Globe’s primary growing season is April - November.
Tender perennials like tomatoes, basil, eggplant and peppers have to be treated as annuals in the
Globe area. All areas are capable of having warmer or colder ‘zone pockets.’ One neighborhood
a block away can be either cooler or warmer because of those pockets.
The primary difference between Globe USDA 7 and the others areas designated as 7 is
the intense sun of the high desert in Arizona. That sun intensity is the key to great taste and
nutrition in garden vegetables.

Suggested Globe Fall Planting September-November

July 1 - September 15 Chinese Cabbage
July 15 - September 15 Chard
July 15 - September 15 Carrot
July 15 - September 1 Lettuce, head
July 15 - September 15 Radish
July 15 - September 1 Lettuce, leaf (includes arugula and other leaf greens)
August 1 - September 15 Kale
August 15 - September 15 Turnip
November 1 - December 15 Onion, dry (seeds)
November 15 - January 15 Onion, dry (sets)

Incredible Edible Focus – Sweet Potato - the sweet potato, which is from a different plant
family than the Irish potato, has edible leaves and stems as well as the nutrient dense tuber with
skin. Plant slips in May, harvest greens through the summer as needed - “kitchen garbage” tip -
replant any unused harvested green with ‘leaf node’ for more green harvesting - will not grow
another tuber.

Email questions to: catherine@herbs2u.net
Have A Great Day In The Garden!

Newsletter Vol. 1, Issue 9

Today's Highlights

Today greeted us with beautiful weather and dew on the grass as we set up for the farmer's market.  The produce selection today was impressive.

And since pictures speak louder than words...

What's new?
Today we were so excited to welcome Cindy and her bumper crop of pears at the co-op table.  For only $2, I took home a paper sack filled to the brim with pears!  And Cindy promises to come back next month, since her pear tree is still laden with gallons of fruit.

Interesting fact: pears do not fully ripen on the tree, so they must be picked green and allowed to ripen for a few days before achieving maximum sweetness.  Cindy told me to put my paper bag of pears in my pantry if I want them to ripen and soften nicely.  But I just had to taste one today, and even though it was still firm, it was already sweet, so I can only imagine how delicious my pears will be a few days from now!

Who's in the Spotlight?
I don't know how anyone could resist an adorable sign like this.  And by the looks of the crowd at Jane's Limeade stand today, few customers could!

Jane squeezes your limeade right there in front of you--it doesn't get any fresher than that!  And she sweetens it perfectly to your liking.  There is nothing like an ice cold limeade on a warm Globe Saturday.  And be sure to check out her homemade prickly pear jelly too!

Kids: This is Where It's At!
It's Saturday and your kids are bored?  Bring them to the farmer's market!  There is always fun to be had at the Kids' Korner.  Today there was free face-painting, thanks to Laura, and a coloring station.

 And check out Laura's lacrosse skills!

 She is one talented gal.  Can you believe she is leaving us to go to grad school?!  I'm sure she has an excellent reason for abandoning us.  Okay, okay; I suppose grad school is a good reason.

One thing is for certain: she has big shoes to fill around here.  I know I speak for all of us at the market (including the kids) when I say we will miss you Laura!

Looking Forward...
Our farmers' market continues to be successful, and we have now brought in over $16,000 in sales!  What an amazing boost for our community.  So, what treasure will you discover next at the farmer's market?  A handmade apron or beaded necklace? 

A plant to start your own garden on your patio?

Or something homemade and delicious?

You decide!  I'll see you next Saturday.

Newsletter Vol. 1, Issue 8

Last Week’s Highlights

Last week's produce selection did not disappoint!  We had several varieties of squash, peppers, tomatoes, kale, grapes, carrots, and many other fruits and veggies.
















Fred was there with his popular worm bins, helping our market customers learn how to compost at home.


















And Holly's hand-made aprons made an eye-catching sight.  The market is also a great place to pick up some plant starts for your own patio or backyard garden!

Most of our baked-goods vendors were on vacation last Saturday, so we were thrilled that  Dana was there with her brownies and other treats.  I have had the pleasure of tasting her Plum Coffee Cake: a moist cake with just a hint of spice, and slices of sweet, juicy plums hidden inside.  Very delicious.  Thank you Dana!

We also had our awesome “Kid’s Korner” with fun activities for the kids, and a survey contest!  A great Saturday!

 























Free Snickerdoodles Anyone?

Back by popular demand, Holley Lamont brought another batch of her fresh homemade snickerdoodles, the coveted prize for the survey contest.  Market customers just had to fill out a quick survey about their farmers’ market experience to receive a ticket for the prize drawing.  We love awarding prizes to our fabulous market friends!  And thank you to Holley, our assistant market manager for providing them.

Pies Galore!

This Saturday, in addition to our wonderful produce, baked goods, and craft vendors, we will be hosting a pie contest!

Drop off your favorite pie by 8:00 am, for a chance to win the grand prize: a basket of items from all the different market vendors (the last time the vendors put together an incredible basket, and I was dying to take it home).
And you know what they say: “Those who can’t bake, taste.”  That’s right—all our market customers (that means you!) get to taste each pie and vote for the winner!
So join us Saturday for shopping, fun at the Kid’s Korner, and pie!

Spotlight: Goodbye and Hello

We are all sad to say goodbye to our assistant market manager, Holley Lamont this week.  She is leaving us for Tucson to attend University of Arizona.  A 2011 graduate of our very own Globe High School, Holley has been an incredible asset to the farmer’s market, filling in for Paul the past two weeks.  A huge “thank-you” to Holley.  You will be missed!

Holley was also the editor of this newsletter, and has graciously handed the job over to me.  My name is Megan Wallace, and I’ve lived in Globe for five years.  I love the small-town life and the great feeling of community that accompanies events like our farmer’s market.  Being a vendor at the market has allowed me to meet some wonderful people, and I’m excited to be involved in the newsletter.  I hope to meet you soon!