A Bubble Off Plumb

When I went out to check the garden Friday evening, there were little, tiny sprouts of beets, carrots and turnips.

Excited doesn’t begin to describe what I felt. Sunday afternoon we planted more beets (golden this time) and more peas. Soon it will be time to transplant the sprouts I have started indoors and begin planting herbs and flowers as well as more vegetables outside. We’re going to try a few different planting methods this year to combat the insect hordes that won the war last year.

But what has me almost giddy is the upcoming farmer’s market. I have spoken to some other potential vendors with good results. There is still plenty of time to build up a stash of homemade goods – edible or handcrafted – or plan your planting for the upcoming season.

There are plenty of people out there who used to garden but stopped because there was way too much produce for them to keep up with. They enjoyed it, but if the veggies just go to waste, why go to the trouble?

Now those gardeners can do something with all the goodies they love to grow. Call and sign up on Friday, then come out to Legion Park on Saturday and sell the extra. The dates will come out soon. Who knows, you might make enough to pay for the seeds to grow the darn stuff in the first place.

But there are a few advantages to the market beyond making a few bucks.

One is access to fresh, locally grown produce. That isn’t always easy to find in small towns, including Watonga.

Another is the opportunity to try new items that aren’t always available at the grocery store. There is the chance to support local businesses because farmers and gardeners are local, small businesses. You get to see the people who grow the food and get to know them.

As the market develops, there will likely be crafters who also sign up to sell their wares. Expect to see fabric craft like bags and potholders, cool repurposed vintage clothing, or hand braided rugs. Maybe some home-produced bread and canned goods like pickles, jams, jellies. No promises, just ideas I’m tossing out.

And if all goes really well, there is the chance to bring shoppers in from out of town. Just as right now many of us go over to Kingfisher for that farmer’s market, maybe they will come over here to get loaded up with fresh goodies in between market weeks there.

Lastly there is also the hope the vendors will donate their unsold vegetables to Opportunities for the senior citizens and other food insecure people right here in our own community. We’re working on a drop off or pick up arrangement for market days.

It is all still in its infancy, but it is getting fleshed out. If you need more information, feel free to call here to the newspaper office and ask.

The Blaine County Farmer’s Market at Watonga. It’s going to be great.