Workin' The Farmer's Market

One of my favorite ways to spend part of a Saturday or Sunday is working at a Master Gardener clinic booth/table answering people's home gardening questions. This is the Master Gardener way of 'paying back' the Master Gardener program for training us in basic horticulture and diagnostics. We volunteer our time to answer any and all gardening questions so that the University extension folks can focus on research and the really tough questions that we can't answer. By the way, the website has some fantastic fact sheets and tips for diagnosing pest problems.

Today's market crew. Our stand was a bit makeshift today, but we did alright. 

Today I was at the Ballard Farmer's Market clinic with Jen and Jeff, and despite the occasional thunder storm, we had a pretty fun day. There were a number of questions about fruit tree and vegetable problems. Must be summer ;). Below are some pictures of today. 

Jen with our box of goodies (a.k.a. reference books and handouts)

Jeff sharing his infinite wisdom 

(he's a veteran MG, after all, Jen and I are lowly interns)

My favorite part of working this clinic is coming early to watch the farmers set up their stands. Jeff and I compared it to working bees humming their way through a routine that has been well polished through experience. I learned today that recent studies have shown that it is no more expensive to shop at your local farmer's market than to shop at a chain supermarket. Now that's music to my ears. What a wonderful way to spend part of a weekend - browsing (and buying) beautiful produce, listening to street musicians, eating fun foods, visiting with neighbors and learning news ways to cook interesting new foods. That's my kind of weekend!

Carrots anyone? The ones on the left are 'purple haze' - I'm growing these too, but haven't harvested any yet.

Have you ever seen such beautiful fava beans...I know...you're thinking of Anthony Hopkins right now...but I'm thinking cover crop!

Okay, so this isn't a picture of plants or produce, but the Loki Fish guys and gals are a local favorite for salmon. Today I bought the best looking sockeye salmon I've ever seen - 2 days off the boat in Alaska - yum.

Dante's Dogs - he's got the best hot dogs in town and is expanding his business quickly these days. Today I had one with sauteed onions, sweet sauce, grain mustard and cream cheese (!) - it was excellent.