With the bees and flea beetles already hard at work, I began evaluating my vegetables.
I looked over my vegetables, scrutinizing them in a way that I have never done before. This was my first farmer's market and I want to bring the best produce with me.
This Italian silver rib chard has possibilities.
But, wow, the scarlet Charlotte chard is sure to please the market goers with it's sexy, red veining.
These little bibb lettuce could be harvested now and bagged up to sell young.
But, these prize head lettuce are ready to go.
I'm a little too late for this broccoli. When the temperatures start to rise, my broccoli, including this purple variety, start to flower. It's interesting that it has the same yellow flowers as the green broccoli. I guess I was expecting purple.
These Brussels sprouts won't make it to market. I love these little guys and eat them as fast as I can harvest them. My favorite method is to stir fry in a shallow pan with a little olive oil and garlic until they are well caramelized. Yum!
With my vegetable selections made, I loaded up the car and posed for a photo op.
I'm excited. This is my first farmers market.
The Hope Farmer's Market is a lovely venue designed like a little Mexican plaza. I absolutely love this fountain.
The market is located in east Austin at 5th and Comal. Parking is free and the atmosphere is relaxed and super friendly.
Farmer's markets are like little neighborhood fairs and this one is no exception. The market has so much to offer from clothing and jewelry to some of the best eats in town. I even saw gourmet dog food. I bet my pups would love that.
The Yard to Market Co-op doesn't have their own farm stand yet, so today we will be selling via the consignment stand.
Look! Someone's buying my dinosaur kale. How fun!
The next step is to offer my eggs for sale via the Yard to Market online store. These eggs are almost too pretty to eat. I bet they taste even better when they're boxed up in their spiffy new egg cartons.
It's official. I'm a "backyard" farmer.
Very cool Ally! It's great that you have enough to sell. Are you keeping track? I'd be interested to know what your tally is at the end of the season.
ReplyDeleteHey Sheryl, I don't produce enough vegetables to have my own farm stand. That's why the Yard to Market Co-op is so cool. The co-op is a group of local backyard gardeners who are banding together to sell their produce. The idea is the brain child of Annalies Lottman and Lesley Williamson. It's really quite brilliant and they are working hard to get things going.
DeleteYou rock girl! Hope it was all you wanted it to be!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sylvia. It's pretty cool to grow a little seed or transplant into something that someone would want to eat and pay money for.
DeleteWhat great pictures! Your produce looks fabulous. Those eggs look so pretty, you are right almost too pretty to eat. I've started pulling up some of my lettuce that has bolted and some of my kale. I've been using my Kale for Kale Caesar salads. So good! Are you planning on planting tomatoes any time soon? I wonder if it is still too early.
ReplyDeleteSteph, I have my tomatoes potted up in 1 gallon inside my greenhouse. The weather is a little too unpredictable to try to plant early this year. I'll continue to watch the weather and see what happens. Meanwhile, my plants are growing and building nice root systems, which will make transplanting easier down the road.
DeleteEverything looks wonderful and those eggs. My what I wouldn't give! I bet those sold like hot cakes. What a great farmer you are.
ReplyDeleteThe eggs did sell quickly. Those girlies better get to work. Their wares are in high demand.
DeleteYou are so ambitious. The produce and eggs look beautiful
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for documenting your experience! Your produce and eggs look fabulous and inciting!
ReplyDeleteHow cool!! Your produce always looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThose eggs are gorgeous. Your girls do good work.
Congratulations on your farming endeavors!! Your veggies look so, so good. And those eggs? You must have happy chickens. This was a great post, Ally!
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome, Ally! Congratulations. I just know all those folks really enjoyed the bounty of your garden. Beautiful, beautiful eggs too!
ReplyDelete