Sierra Vista Farmers Market Vendor Update for 5-19-2022 – –

Welcome to the Sierra Vista Farmers Market Update for May 19, 2022

The Most Popular Garden Fruit in America?

By Uncle Ralph (Ralph Wildermuth) 11 May 2022

The Farmers’ Market will be open from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

I overheard a conversation the other day at the Farmers’ Market about bare root trees versus potted trees and thought that now might be a good time to touch on that topic of interest, while we still have time to plan for the fall planting season.

In order to determine which is better, you need to know a few factors about each and then decide what you want to accomplish. Personally, I prefer the bare root.

Where do trees come from, either potted or bare root? Since it is already a tree, albeit small, it probably came from a large tree farm, like thousands of its cousins.

If you think about it, it was a tree growing in an agricultural field somewhere in the U.S. After the small tree is harvested it is shipped off to a different type of large nursery. At this point it either becomes a bare root tree or a potted tree. If it is to be a potted tree the roots are trimmed and then the tree is put into the plastic pot. The roots probably being larger than the pot have nowhere to go, so they are wound around in circles. When you go to take it out of the pot and plant it in the ground, the roots are meshed in a ball. No matter how hard you try, getting the roots untangled is difficult and usually requires cutting some of the roots to make it less tangled. Unfortunately, this rooting habit learned while in the pot may take its toll on the tree ten or twenty years later when the tree strangles itself with a girding root.

Once a tree has been manicured, so to speak, and placed in a pot, the pot is filled with some strange material that comes from a place different than the ground the tree was growing in. This medium is usually a combination of shredded bark, perlite, vermiculite, and peat moss. The medium is also probably somewhat sterile in nature, primarily to prevent disease and also to let you figure out what you need to feed it to make it grow and survive the transplant.

So now you have a tree that was growing in the ground trying to grow in a plastic pot filled with sterile materials and no food. To make the tree more appealing and give it some top growth, it is fed chemical fertilizers, its only “food.” The fertilizers are cheap and give the tree an energy boost of excess nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Think, a kid on a candy high. Once the tree has a good top growth its time for a scenery change to the local box store.

Another downside to potted plants is the chemical trail. Since the only “food” potted trees get is chemical fertilizer, the chemicals lead to additional problems. Chemical fertilizers are made from salts. These salts do not bind to soil, in fact they will kill most soil organisms, and earthworms will leave when they are applied. Additionally, chemical fertilizers are water soluble. Every time it rains or you water the tree the fertilizers leach out through the bottom of the pot.

Bare root trees are generally cheaper to buy and are dug up, either by hand or machine when they are dormant. Trees can be transplanted better when they are not leafed out or flowering. By this time, they look like a stick with roots. They are also usually shorter in size, which also means younger, about 4-5 ft tall versus potted trees that are about 6-8 feet tall. Bare root trees are lifted out of the ground and the dirt is shaken free from the roots. Once they are removed from the soil the roots need to be packed in something moist like damp shredded newspaper or sawdust. They don’t need to be planted right away, but within a couple of weeks, as long as they are stored in a protected place. If convenience is what you are looking for, potted trees win out as they can be left in the pot for a much longer time. Bare root trees do better and adapt faster than their potted cousins in the long run. The argument sways back and forth about which type of tree will fruit sooner, probably the potted one, but just keep in mind that most potted trees start out as bare root trees, so they get to be transplanted twice.

Your choice in the end will boil down to timing. Bare root trees need to be planted right away, whereas the potted tree can wait a little longer. If you are not ready to plant then potted is best. If you have the hole already dug then go with bare root.

The remaining considerations are one of money and variety. Bare root trees are generally, 30 to 50% cheaper than potted trees. They are lighter, take up less space for the nursery, and reduce shipping costs.

When it comes to variety of tree species, local nurseries usually carry a larger selection of bare-root trees than potted trees because bare-root specimens require less space. You can also order bare root trees on-line or through mail-order that are native to other parts of the world.

A study conducted by Cornell University, says that a bare-root tree contains 200% more roots than the same tree sold potted or balled-and-burlapped, which is dug with soil intact around roots and wrapped in burlap to hold soil in place.

Bare-root trees frequently take off more quickly than their potted cousins because they aren’t transitioning from the sterile container medium to your local soil. Bare-root trees are planted during dormancy, which for us here in warmer climates is late fall (or as soon as trees become available) to early winter. This dormancy time will give them weeks of root growth that spring-planted container trees lack.

If you are thinking about getting a healthy plant then a branching, fibrous, a bare root tree is far superior to a potted one with its circling root ball, that has been “fed” water and fertilizer.

The choice is yours, but for the best outcome, I would recommend bare root over potted any time.

Take care and see you next time!

As always, many of the market vendors accept WIC Farmers Markets & Senior Farmers Markets Vouchers in exchange for fresh fruits and vegetables. SNAP vouchers can also be used at some of the vendors booths. You can use your EBT card at the info booth for SNAP vouchers and Double UP tokens (unlimited amount right now).

ENJOY SUMMER SQUASH IN ABOUT 50 DAYS (reprinted from the Herlad/Review)

By John Chapman

According to the University of AZ Cochise County Vegetable Planting Guide, Summer and Winter Squashes may be planted between May1 – July 1.

Types of Summer squash include the yellow crooked neck; yellow straight neck, white scallop, oblong green, gray or gold zucchini.

Summer squash are harvested immature while the outer rind is still soft, compared to winter squash that are eaten when the fruit is mature and has a harder shell that we usually cut off like pumpkin, acorn and hubbard.

Summer squash must be eaten fresh while winter squash will keep for several months. If you want some quick and easy success gardening then I’d recommend summer squash which harvest in about 50 days. It is probably the easiest to grow and it just keeps on producing. One plant will produce many squash, so don’t over-plant. You can plant in a set-aside garden area, or just plant among your existing landscape shrubs, great addition and the water is already sourced to the existing shrubs.

Site selection needs to be open with at least 8 hours of sunlight.

In addition to good light soil we need to add some fertilizer before we plant so the seedings will have some nourishment as soon as they emerge so we will mix in some 16-20-0, (ammonium phosphate); or 16-16-16, (balanced). Sprinkle it on like you would sprinkle pepper on your food. We also need to mix in some sulfur at about the some amount as you would sprinkle some powdered sugar on chocolate cake. Mix these altogether; water it and when the soil is dried to moist; PLANT. A month later plant again. Successive planting successive harvesting.

Prepare the seed by gently filing along the edges of the seed to give the seedling an easier time to get out; afterwards soak the seed in tepid water for 3-4 hours to soften it. These tips will shave a few days of germinating time.

Space summer squash 2 to 3 feet apart. A family only needs two or three plants from several types unless you want to supply the whole zip code.

Daily watering is a must during the summer. If you use a set-aside garden area, you can create a simple automatic watering system by hooking up a line to a nearby outdoor hose faucet. You can obtain a battery operated irrigation controller at home supply or hardware stores. You can have the water turn on daily for the time you choose. Use a brass Y at the faucet so you can still use it for other watering chores. Be sure to turn off the hose water at the Y, not at the faucet or the timer won’t have a supply of water to turn on.

Cucurbits which include squash, melons and cucumbers, have a unique flowering habit. They grow separate male and female flowers on the same plant. For fruit to develop, pollen has to be transferred from male to female flowers. The pollen is sticky and is normally transferred by bees; however very often this doesn’t occur. So, hand pollinating is the easiest and best way to ensure fruit development and it’s simple to do.

You can determine the difference between male and female flowers by looking at the flower base. Female flowers can be recognized easily by the presence of a miniature fruit at the base of the flower. The male squash flower has a long, slender stem but no baby. Pick a male flower and remove the pedals and dab the sticky yellow center on the stigma in the center of the female flower. One male will pollinate several female flowers. It’s important to use only freshly opened flowers when hand-pollinating in the early morning because the pollen is receptive for only one day.

Remember male flowers will open first so don’t be discouraged if your plants lack female flowers. Female flowers open somewhat later, so be ready to hand-pollinate when female flowers do appear. If the squashes and cucumbers start to grow and then the the tip dries up, it simply means that fruit was not pollinated.

John Chapman was, garden teacher on radio, TV and garden columnist in Phoenix, AZ media for years and practices what he preaches. He now lives in Southern, AZ   Questions; john@johnchapman.com

Vendor Updates
Please see the vendor listings below with updated vendor information and the products they will be bringing.

Market Hours: Thursdays from 10 am to 2 pm at Veteran’s Memorial Park.

Music Entertainment: Simmons Family Band

Last chance to buy wine from Zarpara Vineyards before the summer at the market

BASA is a volunteer board non-profit with a mission: “to promote local, sustainable food production, marketing and education in southern Arizona.

Webpage: http://basamesquite.org/
Weblog: http://bajaaz.blogspot.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/125627894978189
Email: brownchristie1@gmail.com

Updated Vendor Listing & Contact Information

– – Vendor Grown – –
Agricultural and Produce Vendors with the – – Vendor Grown – – seal are known to grow at least 85% of the products they sell.
– – Vendor Brokered – –
Agricultural and Produce Vendors with the – – Vendor Brokered – – seal do not grow a majority of the produce they sell and are known to purchase  a majority of their products from third parties.

Produce & Plant Vendors

Allred Family Fungi – – Vendor Grown –
Oyster mushrooms and other varieties.

Backyard Gardening & Growing  – – Vendor Grown –

Kale, kohlrabi, bok choi, spinach, lettuce, red and golden beets, iris rhizomes, and plants.

Beatty’s Orchard – – Vendor Grown –

Edith will be back next season.
520-378-2728 or 520-678-9443

Cazador Ranch

Echoing Hope Ranch – – Vendor Grown –
Variety of greens and herbs from their green house.
Kale, radishes, lettuce and more.

Horton’s Farm  – – Vendor Grown –

Mark and Jessica will be back soon.
Cucumbers, Garlic, onions, Eggplant, chilies, patty pan squash, lettuce mix, radish, zucchini, tatsoi, red Russian kale, and beets.
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook

Nat Hutchins
Local and Asian plant. Seasonal produce. Fresh chicken eggs.

Ruth’s Hens & Garden

Ruth’s gardening starts in January planting seeds of tomatoes which she has researched to find the best plants for this hot climate. Her plant varieties include cherry tomatoes, large beefsteak tomatoes and medium sized, plus tomatoes for cooking. All of these produce a variety of flavors and colors which come in a variety of sizes. New this year are Dwarf tomatoes which grow to about 2 ft. and produce large regular sized tomatoes. These sturdy plants do well in containers or in the garden and promise to be fun to grow. Her collection of tomato plants is extensive. Come early to select your variety. For the Farmers Market She will have a complete collection for your viewing.

In addition, a variety of bedding plants, houseplants and perennials will be loaded on their trailer. Winter produces is some of the finest vegetables of the year. The cold brings out the natural sweetness and crispness of lettuce, turnips, radishes, and a large variety of greens. These will be available too at the Farmer’s Market. Come see what they have to offer.

SAS-Z Nuts – – Vendor Grown –
Locally Grown Pistachios
For more information, please visit one of their links: Facebook

Sivonn’s Garden – – Vendor Grown –
Fresh Seasonal Garden Produce such as mushrooms, salad mix, collards.

Tawin’s Gardens and Crafts – – Vendor Grown –

Seasonal Garden Plants

Triple J & R – – Vendor Grown –
Ralph and the children will be back soon.
“We are a family providing homegrown microgreens and sprouts. We carry a varied selection of microgreens and sprouts grown hydroponically on food safe screens using only pH balanced water and food grade nutrients for microgreen growth. If you don’t see one you like just let us know and we will grow it for you. Email us at triplej&r@arizonaremountstation.net or give us a call at (520) 266-2479. Our Website is arizonaremountstation.net.”

Meat, Milk, Egg & Honey Vendors

Golden Rule Dairy – – Vendor Grown – –
NEW: Raw butter and Ghee.
Golden Rule Dairy Special: Their very own chicken eggs!
Fresh Raw Milk, Cream, and Dairy Products and their yummy granola.
Golden Rule Dairy Special eggs will be available in July and August.
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, Facebook
Instagram-  golden_rule_dairy
goldenruledairy@gmail.com
www.goldenruledairy.com
520-210-2857

Papa Mike‘s Jerky 
Locally Made Jerky
For more information please visit one of their links: Website Facebook

Rocky Creek Ranch

Duck, chicken, and quail eggs

San Ysidro Farm – – Vendor Grown – -,
Jackie/Nathan will be at the market (first and third Thursday) with beef, lamb, pork, chicken, turkey and frozen pasties.
email jackie.syf@gmail.com
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, Facebook

Sky Island/47 Ranch – – Vendor Grown – –

– Locally Raised Range fed Criollo Beef, and Navajo Churro Lamb.
All natural, no hormones, no antibiotics, and no grain feeding.
– Wild caught sockeye salmon from Naknek Fisheries, Bristol Bay, Alaska.
– Apple or Mesquite smoked bacon from Willcox Packing House (uncured bacon, nitrite, and nitrate free), pork chorizo, and pork sausage.
– Homemade Cowboy Style Peanut butter (made with slightly-roasted organic peanuts, no salt or sugar added).

YouTube Channel (Ranching in the Right Hemisphere): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrfx3NWeUSGZ7KOnV8XL4tQ

For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook and YouTube
520-507-5203
crossu@vtc.net

Simmons Honey Ranchito 

Our many varieties of local honey will be available in one pound jars up to one gallon jugs.
520-364-2745, no text, no call id
520-368-2039 text welcome
simmonshoney1@powerc.net

Whitecane Sockeye Salmon

Alaskan caught sockeye salmon, king salmon, halibut, ling cod, shrimp, snowcrab, Bairdi crab, Dungenese crab.

Randy will be back in November 2022.

Baked Goods & Snack Vendors

Designs by Copper Canyon
New: Gluten-free breads by request.
Delicious truffles and sweet & savory breads.
Home decor items.
coppercanyonind@gmail.com

Ginny’s Eclectic Kitchen
Crumb coffee cake, oatmeal sandwich cookies, sourdough, and another fun bread.
Instagram is @ginnyseclectickitchen

Incredible Snacks
An Incredible Variety of Snacks
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook

Katerina’s-It’s Original Greek
Fresh Made Greek Baked Goods and Prepared Food
New: Artisan Greek breads.

McDonald Farm
Baked goods such as cinnamon rolls, pies, and nut bars. Fresh eggs, pecans, beans (black, pinto, 9-bean mix), chicken and duck eggs.
SAS-Z-Nuts pistachios
Leave a message for Dona 520-220-3000

Mystic Eatz
Baked goods such as quick breads, cinnamon roll muffins, and seasonal pies.

Sweet Arizona
Locally made Toffee, Brittle, & Fudge
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, Facebook
www.sweetarizona.org
520-312-5351

Wild Arizona Gardens
The bread selection will include na’an, green chili and cheddar bread, 5 seed bread, honey oat bread and rye bread. Also on the menu will be apple pie and strawberry rhubarb crisp. If you would like to have some held for you, please text 520-508-2494.

Personal Health & Household Vendors

Ancestral Herbals (Arizona Soap Company)

www.ArizonaSoapCompany.com
Hand made soap, lotion, balm, muscle rub, etc.
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, Facebook

Chloe’s Creations
All-natural hand-made soaps and lotions.

Soaps for every skin type from dry to oily, to sensitive. She uses only essential oils to scent her products (lavender, peppermint, cedarwood) with all natural coloring.
No dyes, no fragrances, no phthalates, no sulfates, no parabens.
Custom made batches at a discount.

Nature’s Premium Skin Care
Aloe Vera miracle cream

Prepared Foods & Beverage Vendors

Big Woody’s
Hot Dogs, Mac & Cheese, BBQ, and Pulled Pork
For more information & their menu please visit one of their links: Facebook

Bombshell Sweets
Variety of cotton candy and new hot cocoa mix and hot cocoa by the cup.

Café Cultiva
Fresh Coffee and Hot Beverages
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, Facebook
774-316-2328

Crazy Coyote Concessions

Kettle Corn and Smoothies
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook
520-904-2327
kettlekornaz@gmail.com

Julie & Sammie’s

Variety of ice creams, novelty candies, and more.

Mi Burrito
Burritos from the grill with fresh salsa for lunch.

Lazy KJ Ranch
Locally Grown Organic Pork for lunch specials.
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook

Lasagna and More
Complete line of Take-n-Bakes, sauces, Chef Burritos, SW Spice Blend
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, Facebook

Mulcogi

Spices and herb mixes.

Queen Ceviche
Fresh Made Salsa, Ceviche, Hand Sanitizer, and hibiscus syrup.
For more information, please visit one of their links: Facebook
520-904-4715

Sivonn’s Asian Cuisine

Lo mein, fried rice, steamed buns

Specialty Coffee of Colombia- Vendor Brokered

-Fresh Specialty Coffee from Colombian Farms

-SCA Rating of 85 and 83, rich and smooth

-For more information, please email manager.virtualworks@gmail.com

Zumi Juice
Come quench your thirst with a delicious, fresh, raw, cold juice made to order at our bright orange tent.  All of our juices are made from fruit to cup with no additives, just pure goodness.  Fresh Limeade is always served.

Pet Food & Product Vendors

Maggie’s Dog Treats & Accessories
All Natural Pet Snacks and Treats

Services

Hone Ranger

Knife sharpening at the market.

Artisan Vendors (are back) 

Greenstone Pottery & Crafts
Hand Made Pottery, Jewelry, & Crafts
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook
520-537-4859
courage.4life4u@gmail.com
530-539-4859
greenstone.collection@gmail.com

Bannuar Trading & Sporting Goods

Handcrafted jewelry and cut antlers for dog chews, Meyer lemons

Bernie & Bill Medley
Paintings, Custom Frames and Woodwork
Every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month.
For more information please visit one of their links:

Doug Merrill

Handmade wooden boxes, tables, coat racks, benches, and wind chimes.

The Humble Daisy

– Local greeting cards made using Arizona photography, local art, and origami.
– Come get your greeting cards here. Personalization available.
-wire wrapped stones
-Spend time at Pam’s beading table

Sierra Vista Gems
New batch of blue oak and mesquite pens.
Cheri’s front license plates.

Suzy Bingham
Framed paintings.

Artisan Vendors (once a month)

Chalia’s Craft

•Crochet earrings

•Crochet & Macramé Plant Hangers

•Crochet bags and baskets

•Wall Decor

•Pillow Shams (seasonal item)

•Throw Blankets (seasonal item)

Shop: chaliascraft.Etsy.com

Instagram: @chalias_craft

Jim Williams
Jim will be at the market on May 5 and 19.
Wood works such as Lazy Susans, checker boards, and unique writing utensils

Rita Obenauf’s Windchimes

Up-cycle bottle wind chimes
909-957-0368
Insta-gram Lifeabove100

Rincon Valley Artisans

New artisans:

desert Owl Forge
Leta’s Gallery
Crafts by Kate
Allie’s Attic
Victoria’s Blankets
Rincon Valley Artisans
Jeffrey Block Jewelry
R & W Gifts
Blue Bear Trading
Moonflower Remedies
Black Market
Phyllis Liddle
Native Southwest
Tombstone Pottery
Allie’s Attic

This Week’s Weather Forecast