Bluegrass Farmers Market

It looks like Mother Nature is going to be nice to us during this holiday weekend! That will make for some wonderful Memorial Day cookouts and picnics. And, the Bluegrass Farmers' Market will have all sorts of homegrown goodies to get you started! Look for...

ASPARAGUS

STRAWBERRIES

LETTUCE

GREENS

ONIONS

RHUBARB

TOMATOES (limited amount)

RADISHES

EGGS

BEEF

BAKED GOODS

JAMS & JELLIES

HERB SEASONING

HONEY

HOMEMADE SOAP

HERB PLANTS

VEGGIE PLANTS (including heirlooms!)

BEDDING PLANTS

HANGING BASKETS

FLORAL PLANTERS

AND SO MUCH MORE!

~*~ 2011 MARKET HOURS ~*~

Saturday 9 until 2 or until sold out

Tuesday 3 until 6:30 or sold out

We'll be set up in the beautiful tree lined parking lot of Pedal the Planet and Fast Signs, right next door to the Glenn Auto Mall on Richmond Rd. It's just a hop, skip and a jump outside of Man 'O War Blvd. Parking is right there so you don't have to drive around hunting for a spot to park. The parking lot is also paved and that makes it very stroller and wheelchair friendly!

The Bluegrass Farmers' Market is Lexington's only

100% homegrown/produced farmers market!

And, each of our farmers are certified Kentucky Proud and GAP trained...

that means we know Good Agricultural Practices!

Have a safe Memorial Day weekend and please take a moment to remember our service members and their families.

I couldn't believe that I actually saw red tomatoes at the market last Saturday! Granted, they were grown in a greenhouse and there were not many of them...but what a treat after a rainy and cold day. We thoroughly enjoyed a BLT with locally grown vegetables and homemade bread! The tomato was sweet, the lettuce was crisp and the bread was wonderful!!! Honest to gosh locally grown and produced is well worth the trip to the Bluegrass Farmers' Market. :)

 ~*~ BIG NEWS ~*~

The Tuesday Market Is Now Open For The 2011 Season

Yup, you can now shop each Tuesday from 3 until 6:30.  Same great location with convenient parking and nothing but homegrown/produced goodness!  I'll keep this blog updated each Monday so you will know what will be available at the Tuesday market.

But, before we even think about the Tuesday market, we have all sorts of great thins available at the Saturday market!  Here's just a sampling of what you'll be able to find...

ASPARAGUS

STRAWBERRIES

LETTUCE

GREENS

ONIONS

BOK CHOY

SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS

RHUBARB

TOMATOES (limited amount)

RADISHES

EGGS

BEEF

BAKED GOODS

JAMS & JELLIES

HERB SEASONING

HONEY

HOMEMADE SOAP

HERB PLANTS

VEGGIE PLANTS (including heirlooms!)

BEDDING PLANTS

HANGING BASKETS

FLORAL PLANTERS

~*~ 2011 MARKET HOURS ~*~

Saturday 9 until 2 or until sold out

Tuesday 3 until 6:30 or sold out

We'll be set up in the beautiful tree lined parking lot of Pedal the Planet and Fast Signs, right next door to the Glenn Auto Mall on Richmond Rd. It's just a hop, skip and a jump outside of Man 'O War Blvd. Parking is right there so you don't have to drive around hunting for a spot to park. The parking lot is also paved and that makes it very stroller and wheelchair friendly!

The Bluegrass Farmers' Market is Lexington's only

100% homegrown/produced farmers market!

And, each of our farmers are certified Kentucky Proud and GAP trained...

that means we know Good Agricultural Practices!

It's an exciting week at the Bluegrass Farmers' Market! And, you ask why? Because...

We've got strawberries!

~*~ and ~*~

The Tuesday market is now open for the

2011 season!

Yup, that's right...the Tuesday afternoon market is now open and here's a just a bit of what you'll be able to find this Tuesday...

STRAWBERRIES

ASPARAGUS

LETTUCE

ONIONS

RADISHES

JAMS & JELLIES

AMISH GROWN HANGING FLORAL BASKETS & BEDDING PLANTS

VEGETABLE PLANTS...

POSSIBLY HEIRLOOMS TOO

AND, SO MUCH MORE!

~*~ MARKET HOURS ~*~

Saturday 9 until 2 or until sold out

Tuesday 3 until 6:30 or sold out

We'll be set up in the beautiful tree lined parking lot of Pedal the Planet and Fast Signs, right next door to the Glenn Auto Mall on Richmond Rd. It's just a hop, skip and a jump outside of Man 'O War Blvd. Parking is right there so you don't have to drive around hunting for a spot to park. The parking lot is also paved and that makes it very stroller and wheelchair friendly!

The Bluegrass Farmers' Market is

Lexington's only

100% homegrown/produced farmers market!

And, each of our farmers are certified

Kentucky Proud and GAP trained...

that means we know

Good Agricultural Practices!

I can't think of a better way to start the Memorial Day weekend out than a trip to the Bluegrass Farmers' Market. Family, friends, cooking outdoors using all locally grown foods...it just doesn't get any better than that! Please take a moment out of your festivities to remember those who served so bravely in order for us to enjoy the freedom that we have. We thank them and their families for the sacrifices they have made. Fly a flag in their honor!

Now, what will you be able to find at the market on Saturday for that Memorial Day picnic table? Here's just a sampling of what will be available...

Strawberries

Rhubarb

Lettuce

Green onions

Green garlic

Asian greens

Kale

Swiss chard

Spinach

Tomatoes

Radishes

Asparagus

ASH free beef

Baked goods

Jams & jellies

Herb seasoning

Homemade soaps

Honey

Vegetable plants

Hanging herb baskets

Herb plants

Hanging flower baskets

Bedding plants

Tropical plants

And so much more!

Thought I would share a recipe from Local Harvest...sounds like a perfect Memorial Day pie to me!

Have a wonderful holiday weekend and sure hope you spend some of it with us at the Bluegrass Farmer's Market!

2010 Market Information

When

Saturday 9-2

Tuesday 3-6:30

Where

3450 Richmond Rd. in the Fast Signs and Pedal the Planet parking lot, right next to the Glenn Auto Mall.

Parking is always FREE and we are stroller and wheelchair friendly!

Why

Because we think everyone who shops at a farmers market deserves to be talking to the farmer who grew, baked, made or created what they are selling!

We are Lexington's only 100% homegrown/produced farmers market!

Tuesday's market will be loaded with farm fresh strawberries so you can create the perfect Memorial Day dessert! Slice them and add some whipped cream, make a strawberry shortcake or just eat them in all of their red perfection! Nothing says Happy Memorial Day better than strawberries!

Here's a few little known facts about this luscious fruit...

Strawberries are a member of the rose family and are not technically a berry!

Strawberries are the only fruit with the seeds on the outside and the average berry has over 200 of them!

Eight medium strawberries only have 45 calories!

They are packed with fiber and high in folate and phytonutrients that are sure to boost your general health!

It's even said that they can help improve your memory...we all need that! Lol

The best thing about a strawberry is that it is the first fruit to ripen in the spring...we all get to enjoy them fresh from our farms!

2010 Market Information

When

Saturday 9-2

Tuesday 3-6:30

Where

3450 Richmond Rd. in the Fast Signs and Pedal the Planet parking lot, right next to the Glenn Auto Mall.

Parking is always FREE and we are stroller and wheelchair friendly!

Why

Because we think everyone who shops at a farmers market deserves to be talking to the farmer who grew, baked, made or created what they are selling!

We are Lexington's only 100% homegrown/produced farmers market!

The Tuesday market will be loaded with farm fresh strawberries!

I came home from the market on Saturday and made some freezer jam but I have to admit that I kept one in the fridge just so I could enjoy it with my Sunday morning breakfast!  It was wonderful and you can bet I'll be buying more this week!  Maybe you would prefer to let someone else make the jam for you...not to worry, there will be plenty available at the market!

If you are still searching for beautiful and useful plants, the Bluegrass Farmers' Market is the place to shop.  You'll find hanging herb baskets, herb plants, heirloom tomatoes, flowering plants and maybe even a peanut plant or two!

The Tuesday market is just now starting to kick off.  When you are a 100% homegrown market it takes a bit longer to get up to full swing.  So, please be patient and enjoy the homegrown goodness that our few farmers have to offer.

Hope you all get a chance to stop by and visit our Tuesday market...stay tuned for the Saturday market information.

2010 Market Information

When

Saturday 9-2

Tuesday 3-6:30

Where

3450 Richmond Rd. in the Fast Signs and Pedal the Planet parking lot, right next to the Glenn Auto Mall.

Parking is always FREE and we are stroller and wheelchair friendly!

Why

Because we think everyone who shops at a farmers market deserves to be talking to the farmer who grew, baked, made or created what they are selling!

We are Lexington's only 100% homegrown/produced farmers market!

Chances are this will be the last week for strawberries. I'm gonna miss those beautiful red ripe strawberries but my mouth is watering just thinking about the blueberries that will make their first presence at the market tomorrow! Blueberries are my very most favorite of all. Here's a super simple recipe that is always a crowd pleaser.

Blueberry Crisp

4 cups fresh blueberries

1 cup all purpose flour

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup mayonnaise

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place blueberries into an 8 inch square baking dish. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, sugar and cinnamon. Stir in the mayonnaise and mix until it resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over the top of the blueberries. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the top is lightly browned. Serve with whipped cream. This recipe will serve 4 unless you are like me, then it will only serve 2!

Unfortunately strawberries aren't the only treat that will be making their last appearance at the market for the season. The asparagus will probably only be with us for this week and then they will be gone until next spring. Buy a bunch and freeze them for use during the winter. I just blanch mine for 2-4 minutes depending on the size, then give them an ice bath dunk. Pat them dry and spread them out on a cookie sheet and pop it into the freezer. Once they are frozen solid just put them in a plastic storage bag to keep in your freezer. That way you can just pull out the amount that you need for each meal.

The wonderful sugar snap peas and the snow peas can be frozen the same way...you'll find them at the market tomorrow too! And, don't forget about the rhubarb! Think strawberry rhubarb pie...yummy!

The Tuesday market hours are 3pm until 6:30pm...shop on your way home from the office!

Stay tuned for the Saturday market offerings and remember...

The Bluegrass Farmers' Market is 100% homegrown or produced and we are all

Kentucky Proud!

The sun will be shining and the farmers will be smiling this Saturday at the Bluegrass Farmers Market!

That's because they'll be bringing the freshest and the very best that the area has to offer to our market location at 3450 Richmond Rd. The trucks will be unloaded and the tents will be set up and ready for business at 9am!

Make plans to come and visit with us especially if you are looking for beautiful red, ripe strawberries! Or maybe you're looking for something green like sugar snap peas, snow peas, crisp lettuce, mixed greens, asparagus, rhubarb or broccoli. Perhaps something in a brownish tint like the wonderful new potatoes or farm fresh eggs. Don't forget the beautiful golden yellow color of honey, beeswax candles, lip balm, home baked breads and Amish cheese. It could be that you are looking for something white and you can be sure to find plenty of spring onions too. Who said eating fresh food wasn't colorful!!!

Speaking of color, how about making your outdoors as beautiful as your plate. Our farmers will be bringing plenty of vegetable plants, bedding plants, hanging baskets, herb plants and even some tropical plants like banana trees!

Now that you have the color in your home covered how about some wonderful scents! Can you smell that kettle of homemade bean soup cooking? Or the wonderful scents of the herb seasonings while you're cooking on the grill. Maybe you just want to relax in a tub of warm water with a beautiful bar of scented soap. And, finish the day off with a bite out of a fabulous cookie or jam cake!

You'll be able to find all of this and much more this Saturday at the Bluegrass Farmers Market! Don't forget that if you see it at our market, you'll also see the farmer that grew it, baked it, raised it, made it or created it! We are 100% homegrown or produced...guaranteed!!!

You can find us in the tree lined parking lot of Fast Signs and Pedal the Planet just next door to the Glenn Auto Mall on Richmond Rd. We'll be there from 9 until 2 and sure hope you'll come visit Lexington's only 100% grower/producer market!

What a beautiful day Saturday turned out to be. Mother Nature was very cooperative by holding off the rain until after the market and that meant that our shoppers could enjoy the sunshine as much as we did. Speaking of shoppers, it was wonderful to see so many new faces! I guess word is getting out that there is a market in town that guarantees 100% homegrown or produced items. It's hard to compete with other markets that have tomatoes, corn and melons available. But, we sure are glad that folks like the thought of going to a farmers market and finding items that the farmer actually grew, raised, baked or made and not stuff purchased at a terminal. It makes all of our hard work more enjoyable to see the smiles when they know we really did it ourselves!!! And, it makes the saying “buy local” all the more important.

Our Tuesday market is a bit small because many of our farmers have “real” jobs in order to support their love of farming. But I can tell you that the offerings that will be there are great. I know because our family enjoyed some of the asparagus last night for dinner and I swear, it's worth driving back into town to buy more! Something tells me that the new potatoes that I purchased on Saturday will be just as good with tonight's dinner. Might be another reason for me to drive into town cause there'll be plenty of them available on Tuesday too. Well, heck I might just as well plan on going to town on Tuesday to see my farmer friends because I missed out on the broccoli Saturday and I was assured that there will some on Tuesday. Probably ought to buy more sugar snap peas too because I haven't quite filled my freezer so that I can enjoy them all winter long. Oh, darn...I forgot about the wonderful strawberries and rhubarb! Sounds like I might be baking a pie when I get home. Now I know I'll be heading towards Lexington on Tuesday afternoon.

As you can see, there is still plenty of good stuff available at the Tuesday market. It runs from 3 until 6:30  and is located at 3450 Richmond Rd.  in the parking lot of Fast Signs and Pedal the Planet.  That's next to the Glenn Auto Mall just outside Man O'War.

This bit of good news just in...there will be heirloom tomato plants available too! And, maybe snow peas!

100% local and Kentucky Proud...that's us!

Yes, it's hard work but all you have to do is look at the smiling faces of our farmers and know that the members of the Bluegrass Farmers Market love what they do! They grow, they create, they bake, they raise and they come together each Tuesday from 3 until 6:30 and every Saturday from 9 until 2 to share all of their hard work with you. Smiles are free!

This Saturday you'll be able to find wonderful strawberries, crisp lettuce and garden greens, crunchy spring green onions, bright green spinach and broccoli, snappy peas, rhubarb for that pie and fresh cut herbs! No tomatoes or corn because we only sell what we grow and they just aren't in season in Kentucky yet. But hang in there, they're coming soon!

Want to grow your own fruits and veggies? We'll have berry plants and loads of tomato and pepper plants...even heirlooms! Think maybe you need to dress up your yard, deck or planters with some color? You'll be able to find a great variety of beautiful plants, hanging baskets and even some tropicals!

Maybe you're looking for a great loaf of home baked bread, or jams and jelly. How about some golden honey? Or maybe some herb seasoning. Beautiful dried beans ready for the soup kettle. Or maybe just some homemade soap. Heck, we even have Llama poo! Don't laugh, it's a great fertilizer for your garden. And you should see what can be created with the Llama wool!!!

The best part is we are all Kentucky Proud and we take it seriously! So plan to make a stop at Lexington's only 100% homegrown/produced farmers market this week. You'll leave smiling cause the farmer that grew that veggie or made that bread will be smiling at you the whole time. In case you haven't noticed, we love what we do and we love to talk about it. So a visit to the Bluegrass Farmers Market is also an educational trip!

Hope to see you at our Saturday market located in the tree lined parking lot of Fast Signs and Pedal the Planet, next to Glenn Auto Mall on Richmond Rd. There's plenty of parking available. I'll update and let you know what you'll find at the Tuesday market as soon as I find out what my farmer friends will be bringing.

Happy 100% local...guaranteed!