May 11, 2019

Edible Spring Flowers

Among the many edible spring flowers is the common violet, found in lawns and gardens everywhere.  They are so prolific, it's easy to gather a bunch of flowers quickly. In Europe, violet flowers have a long history of culinary and medicinal uses that include violet flower tea, candied violets, and chocolate flavored with violets. To learn about other early spring flower edibles check out this site.  

Save the Date! We’re delighted that the farmers’ market has been selected to participate in Saltwater Grille’s Community Monday program on June 3. For each patron who mentions the farmers’ market on June 3, 10% of their check will be donated to the farmers’ market. Enjoy a delicious meal while supporting our market. Spread the word.
                         Monday, June 3 - Litchfield Farmers’ Market gets 10% of check
                         from diners at Saltwater Grille who mention the market!
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A reminder that there are three remaining indoor markets:  May 25,  June 1 and June 8      
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Market Notes

Here are some highlights of the market this week.  For a full list of vendors, see the end of the newsletter.

• Welcome new vendor to the market Ridgway Farm, bringing to the market this week ramps, plant starts, limited beef and pork, and maple cream.  They will move outdoors with us and bring a variety of vegetables they grow.
• Stella Rose Farm is back with microgreens and mushrooms.
• Wild Carrot Farm will have veggie, tomato, herb and flower transplants and some produce: arugula, kale, chard, collards, salad mix and scallions.  We're eagerly awaiting their asparagus and rhubarb!
• Buck Mountain Herbs returns bringing a variety of organically grown culinary, medicinal, ornamental and pollinating herb plants. Plants include: Arugula, Chervil, Cilantro, Parsley, Curly and Flat, Calendula, Clove Pinks (Sweet William), Marjoram, Chamomile, Butterfly Weed (Asclepias Tuberosa) Leeks, Sorrel and Silver Sagebrush.Basils; (Sweet, Lemon, Holy, Opal, Thai), Dill, Hopi Red Dye (Amaranth), Marigolds, Nasturtiums, Sweet Alyssum, Lemon Verbena, Rosemary, Tarragon, Creeping Yellow Thyme.​
• Plumb Brook Chocolates will join us on May 25.
• Bantam Bread will return to the market when we move outdoors on June 15.

Guests this week:

• Musician - Bill Benson
• Guests artist - Olga Z Designs​ handmade faux leather and suede bags
  
  

Anna Gill's  column is titled Chives Thrive.  As noted in her column, chives have been around for over 5000 years and are native to Europe, Asia and North America - and generously used in much of their cuisines.  She refers us to just a few of the many recipes found on the website which benefit from this smallest of the onion family..
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​See you at the market Saturday, May 25, INDOORS at the Community Center. 

Sustainable Tip of the Week

Here are a few sustainable gardening tips we came across this week and thought we'd share.

• Use an old plastic mesh bag to round up leftover slivers of soap. Rubber-band the bag tight and hang it next to the hose. The combo of the slightly abrasive bag and the soap scrubs off garden dirt.
• Instead of purchasing expensive weed-blocking landscape cloth, use free old tarps from a local lumber store that they used to cover wood during shipping.
• Recycle drink cups to grow tomatoes, and other plants, from seed. When they’re ready to transplant, simply remove the bottom inch or so of each cup and plant directly in the ground. This prevents cutworms from making a meal of the transplants.

Featured Guests

Bill Benson

Olga Z Designs

​​​Vendors this Week

Belle Alpaca - alpaca items 
Berry Ledges Apiary honey products
Brookside Farm II  maple syrup
Buck Mountain Herbs potted herb starts
Cato Corner Farm artisanal cheese
Earth's Palate Farm  living lettuce, eggs, croissants
Goatboy Soaps goatmilk soaps
Laurel Ridge Farm grass fed beef, pork and lamb
Mohawk Mountain Mushrooms  mushrooms
NWCT Food Hub eggs, jams, pickles
Oliva on Main hummus, eggplant dip, and other ready-to-eat options
Ridgway Farm ramps, plant starts, maple cream
Stella Rose Farm microgreens and mushrooms
Wave Hill Breads three grain pain de campagne, ciabatta, garlic and sourdough breads
Wild Carrot Farm ​organic plant starts and produce