Farmer's Market ripe with summer's finest

By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
If you're a lover of home-cooked fresh vegetables, you'll be interested in knowing that Hartselle's Farmers Market opened last week with offerings of potatoes, squash, onions, cabbage, cucumbers and peppers. Vine-ripened tomatoes, sweet corn and green beans are expected to make their appearance in a couple of weeks.
"The wet and cold weather we've had has slowed the growth of some crops," Homer Long of Hartselle said.
"My okra is skippy and stunted and it's going to be late and I don't expect to have ripe tomatoes until about the first of July. However, cool weather crops look good. I've got plenty of potatoes and squash and my sweet corn is tasseling."
"I think you'll see all of these stalls filled with produce in a few days," he added. "That's what it takes to get out a crowd of shoppers."
Ray Sanders of Falkville said he made his first trip to the market on May 23 with some green onions, squash, cucumbers, beets, cabbage and tomato plants.
"My garden is looking a lot better since we've had a few sunny days and warm nights," he said. "My bunch beans are about ready to pick and I'm already getting calls."
The farmers Market is located on South Sparkman Street in the central business district. Farmers usually have their stands set up by 7 a.m. and remain open as long as they have produce to sell.