Auburn International Farmers Market Sundays 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. | June 13 - September 26, 2010 at Auburn Station Plaza Driving Directions to 23 A ST SW
The Auburn International Farmers Market will open for its second year on June 13, 2010 with more than 35 vendors offering a variety of fresh locally grown farmed based foods, hand crafted items and concession stand that are restaurant based but feature a home cooked taste. The 2010 weekly market will also include free performances, guest chef with farm fresh ingredients, children activities from face painting to hands on activities to storytelling. The market will also have classes on health, nutrition, and gardening.
Farmers Market Benefits - the benefits of shopping at the market are more than you imagined:
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March Gardening Tips from Margaret Greenslit- AIFM Master Gardener Summer flowering bulbs: Now is the time to plant those bulbs and corms that flower during the summer. This includes: gladiolus, callas, ranunculus, crocosmia, tigridia (tiger flower, Mexican Shell Flower). Watch the weather closely. If a hard frost is predicted cover the area with at least 1 inch of mulch. Lawns: Spring is the ideal time for starting a new lawn. Grass will grow best if it has a base of 6-12 inches of soil, finely raked and amended with compost. Either lay sod or rake in seed mix. Water regularly. Don’t let that area dry out. Moss?? More on that later. Cool season crops: Sow seeds directly into the garden beds – remember these needs a sunny location. Before planting, gather a hand full of soil and squeeze. If it remains in a clump rather than falling apart, the ground is too wet and needs to dry out. You will have better success if the soil is well amended with organic matter. Seeds of beets, carrots, chard, lettuce, peas, radishes, spinach, and cabbages can be protected from frost and insects pests by covering with floating row cover. This can be left in place until harvest. Warm season crops can be started in doors: Start seeds of tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers (these don’t like to have their roots disturbed when transplanting and would best be started in peat pots). Make sure the soil in the pots (seed starting mix is better to use as it is fine grained) is level with the top of the pot., place seed at the desired depth (the back of the seed packet will tell you how deep that should be).Water, and cover with clear plastic wrap or the cover that comes with the seed tray. This will provide the humidity necessary. Seeds need warmth to germinate. Place seed trays over warming mats, following the manufacturer’s recommendations for the length of time that is needed. When the seeds have sprouted, the covers can be removed. Now is the time the newly sprouted seedlings need light. Garden lights can be used as this area usually does not provide the amount of sunlight needed. Water as needed (best to water from the bottom and let the pots soak up what is necessary. Follow directions on fertilizer packaging. Using too much is a waste of the product, your money, and not good for the plants. Don’t forget to label what you have planted! Thin the seedlings according to package directions and wait until danger of frost has passed - for this area, about the 2nd week in May. Your tender plants will need to be climatized before placing them in the garden. Starting about the 1st of May, set them outside a few hours a day, gradually increasing the time outdoors – be sure they are kept protected from the wind. Tomatoes especially need for soil temperatures to be above 40 degrees – preferably 50 – If they are set out too early, the roots will not develop well. Low night time temperatures can cause the blossoms to drop, which can delay harvest. Remember it is not necessary to use the entire contents of the seed packet. With the exception of sweet corn, leeks, onions, and parsnips most seed are good for 3- 5 years. Has e few extra plants? Share them with friends and neighbors. Also, seed have germinated on their own for many years without the aid of fancy equipment so don’t let that stop you from trying. And get the kids involved! – they will thrill to their handy work Clean beds: Cut back perennials. Pull out weeds. Cover beds with a layer of compost. If your summer and fall flowering perennials have out grown their spaces, now is the time to dig, divide, and replant them. Leave the spring flowering perennials until the fall to divide. Existing lawns: If you haven’t done so in the past 4 years, now is the time the thatch and aerate the lawn. Overseed as needed, fertilize with 3-1-2 fertilizer – again follow the directions for setting on the spreader. Moss: In order to survive moss has a few requirements. It grows in shade, compacted areas, and needs moisture. Want to get rid of it on your lawns? Instead of reaching for the chemicals you can try these tips. Thatch and aerate the area. Increase the sunlight. Fertilize the lawn. Can’t improve the sunlight? Try digging out that spot and plant shade tolerant shrubs and perennials. In the long run they will look better and require less care than getting rid of the moss. If you must use fertilizer with moss control, do you need to apply it to the entire lawn? Everything you use can eventually end up going into the storm drains. Hard surfaces, such as decks. Patios, driveways, and sidewalks can be cleaned up with a scrub brush, and mild soapy water, and rinsed thoroughly. Or better still; use a pressure washer and plain water. Don’t forget the slugs: Hand picks. Bait with non toxic substances containing iron phosphate. Because you don’t’ see dead bodies, don’t think what you have used isn’t working. Those products interfere with the slug’s appetite and they crawl off and die. Most of all enjoy the warm weather and have fun: Looking forward to seeing you and answering your questions at the Auburn International Farmers Market opening day June 13th and after that the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. Margaret Greenslit WSU Master Gardener
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