Spring planting days are here

By Vicki Randolph
Birds are singing, flowers are beginning to bloom, leaves are peeking out on the tree branches, and those folks with allergies are sneezing uncontrollably. That means it's time for spring planting!

It's the time of year farmers and gardeners long for-the ground is finally thawing out, the threat of snow is ba-sically over, and the seeds and seedlings are ready to be planted. So this Saturday, May 10, will be a great op-portunity to celebrate Spring Planting Day at the Ashe County Farmers Market.

The market's nursery vendors have a wide variety of items to offer including flowering perennials, vegetable seedlings, blossoming apple trees, blueberry bushes, ornamental trees, herbs, spices and shrubs. It is also a good time to place orders for trees to be picked up in the fall, as they need to be grafted in the spring.

Members of the Ashe County Garden Club will also be at the market on Saturday. They will have a display of flowering plants set up in the grassy area behind the pavilion. Garden club members will graciously be sharing tips and information for gardening, growing flowers and caring for ornamental plants.

It will also be a fantastic opportunity to do some Mother's Day shopping. What mom wouldn't love a flower or plant on her special day? It's a gift that wasn't made in China, wasn't manufactured with petroleum, and won't clutter up her house. It's a gift that will continue to keep on giving for weeks and months to come, perhaps even years, to remind her of how much she is loved.

Young visitors are always welcome at the market, and they really do add to the fun family atmosphere. This week, residents 18-years-old and under are encouraged to come out and take advantage of the seed giveaway. Market members will be handing out packs of pumpkin seeds to the youngsters, who are then supposed to return on October 18 for the Fall Festival-at which time their pumpkins will be judged in different categories.

Children are also encouraged to take part in every aspect of the growing season. It is a perfect chance to teach the younger generation how to provide for themselves, take pride in their work, and stay closer to the land than to their X-boxes and iPods! Adults are reminded to make this happen...come to think of it, even some of the grown ups out there may need to get a little closer to the land than to their satellite dishes.
With the rising costs of store bought groceries and gas prices, it is a perfect time for folks to grow some of their own food, as well as support those who grow local produce, raise local meats and sell other locally produced goods.

So come on out for Spring Planting Day. Join in the fun and the spirit of springtime with your neighbors at the farmers market. The hours of operation are 8:00 am to 1:00 pm each Saturday on the Backstreet down town.
Until next week, when you'll get another close-up look at some of the vendors, keep it fresh and local!