It’s been a soggy few weeks, but the weather is starting to improve and we’re looking forward to June strawberries with great anticipation… Now’s a great time for fresh salad greens and accessories, like green house tomatoes and cucumbers. Nicole Michell of Michel Bros. Farm tells us: “”Yummy fresh red romaine! Also green romaine, green leaf, red leaf lettuces all coming out of the field! We may see a few strawberries at Michell’s this weekend as well!”
The big news is that the Peninsula Country Market is opening for the season on Saturday, June 1. However, please note that this week the market is participating in the Brentwood Festival, so you’ll find the Market at Pioneer Park in downtown Bentwood Bay. Next week, the Market will be back at its regular spot at the Saanich Fairground on Stelly’s Cross Road. Jim Townley, the PCM president, reports: “Entering its 22nd Season, the Peninsula Country Market features some of the Saanich Peninsula’s best boutiques available on the field at the Saanich Fairgrounds. Backed by picturesque Fir Trees, the market is host to 50+ vendors each week selling everything from vegetables to specialty food products. Admission is free, and there’s lots of easy to access parking. AND….the Peninsula Country Market prides itself on being ‘dog friendly’…”
Meanwhile, Heather Stretch of Saanich Organics and Mt. Newton Blueberries just down the road in the Mount Newton Valley, has been busy with her cohorts working with students at Keating Elementary School: “Michelle and I (Heather) spent much of last week at Keating Elementary as their ‘farmers in residence’. We worked with 17 classes, or 400 kids, to plant about a dozen different vegetables. “The first challenge was coming up with recommendations for crops that wouldn’t be producing their best while the kids are out for summer break. The next challenge was containing and focusing the excitement and energy of that many people around small garden beds! “The students were very enthusiastic and engaged, and we had some great conversations…” To learn more the project and what students learned, read the complete Saanich Organics blog post: http://saanichorganics.com/news-from-our-farms/blog/