First basket of tomatoes

I happily went to the tomato bed and FINALLY picked a full basket of tomatoes.  Yes, they aren't all rosy red ripe, but they also do not have chipmunk or squirrel teeth marks in them.  I was able to get some fresh cilantro from the West Allis Farm Market, so fresh salsa will become a reality.  The jalapenos are also starting to produce peppers of harvest size.  The long wait has come to an end.
I got the tomato plants in late this year to allow for room in the driveway with our graduation party taking place during normal planting time.  With all the heat we had, I was sure the tomatoes would be earlier any way. Not so.  The nights have cooled off quite a bit and have slowed progress.  I still have to get my first celebrity tomato this year.  My farmer friend from college was in town for Irish Fest this weekend.  She told me her sister-in-law lost their garden to a storm when one of the nearby trees landed on the garden in June.  It is still there among  the weeds.  I guess I should count my blessings that it is just a wait and not a total loss.
Even the cherry tomatoes have been slow to start.  Today was the first picking that I didn't put directly into my mouth. There are more to come.

I am planning on putting more into canning jars than the freezer this fall to save on freezer space.  We have half of a steer coming in October which will take up all we have.  Another freezer is in the near future, hopefully and upright to save on the digging and lost items in the bottom of the chest.  I have done dilly beans and cut beans which put several jars on the shelf.  I also have sweet corn canned this year (a first for me) which put nine pint jars in store.  There would have been 10, but one went "ping" and spilled into the pressure cooker water.  I was not happy to start everything over to get the corn out of the water.  More beans are ready for picking, so I think french beans are next.  Fall is an exciting time of year for a gardener.

The Farm Market

There are some people who love to shop.  It might be the mall or a big box store for them.  For me it is the farm market.  I love the sights, the smells, and the sounds of the market on a Saturday afternoon.

The West Allis Farmer's Market  has been around since 1919.  I have attended this market since moving to the south end of Milwaukee for 20 years.  It has evolved and change very little.  It got a face lift a few years ago, but much of it has remained unchanged.  It is open three days a week, Saturday being the most popular.  Everything is fresh, seasonal, and grown locally.  The venders are a cooperative which set their prices to ensure that the market remains competitive in quality, but allows the venders to make a profit at a fair market price.  The farmers are friends to each other and know what each offers.  What they don't have at their booth, they are willing to tell you where you might find it.

It is an open air market, so if it rains, you may get wet.  The farmers raise what they sell.  With little exception, most of the farmers grow within a short distance of Milwaukee County.  There are some that come in such as the woman with a cart outside the market with Michigan blueberries and peaches.  


It is not the kind of market that appeals to those who like to be seen, but those who are interested in getting good produce. The trucks line the inner aisles and load up the benches from the front.  The "remodel" of the market made breaks down the center so you could hop the rows easier.  There has been an influx of ready-made food venders and some meat and dairy options which vary from year to year.  There is also honey and maple syrup to be found on a regular basis.

The best part about the market is that the market opens at mid-day rather than morning.  Farmers bring their freshest picked produce that changes with the season.  It is a great time to teach kids about the seasonality of produce.  Watermelons in winter are not normal, or even in June.  You have to wait for late summer to get the best melons.  Greens and asparagus are the first offerings of spring, followed by peas, rhubarb, and radishes.  You can see where this is going, I hope.  In order for us to have these things other than when they are ready locally, they have to be shipped long distances over time.  Fresh produce out of season is not fresh produce.

Another great thing about the farm market is the ability to really interact with the people who grow the food you are about to buy.  So many of the farmers are willing to share tips with novice gardeners.  They also are willing to answer you questions about how to prepare things, what else is coming in to season soon, and how much longer some items will be available.  If you aren't sure what an apple is like, many farmers will offer you some suggestions and hand you an apple to try, FREE!  Try that at your local grocery and see how it goes over with the produce manager.

There is a so many things to see and smell.  It is a wonderful combination that make me smile just to be there.  Find your local farm market and go.  It isn't just about buying food, it is about being a part of a community.

Herman Comfort the singing corn salesman

The man who sings to you when you buy your corn, and the man who gives the rest of his away at the end of the day.  That is the kind of community I want to be a part of!