Sierra Vista Farmers Market Vendor Update for 5-26-2022 – –

Welcome to the Sierra Vista Farmers Market Update for May 26, 2022

Growing Fruit Trees in Arizona?

By Uncle Ralph (Ralph Wildermuth) 25 May 2022

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

I can’t tell you how many people have told me since I moved to Arizona 30 years ago, that you can’t grow citrus fruit trees in Arizona. Really! But I’m here to tell you that you can.

Arizona contains a unique set of climates that are perfect for growing citrus and many other kinds of fruit trees. The balance between chill hours and heat is what determines the type of fruit trees that can survive in our “desert environment.” The low desert is great for tropical trees like citrus. Whereas the northeast part is better for peaches, plums, apples, and cherries.

Fruit trees come in all types and styles. There are berries, tropical fruits, and vine growing such as grapes for instance and you can find all of them here in Arizona. Each fruit has its own story behind it and depending on the level of effort provided can be grown by anyone who is determined to find the right fruit tree for them.

Arguably, the first fruit tree known to mankind was the apple, as portrayed in Genesis of the Christian Bible. Fruit trees of all kinds have varied origins and some are found only in certain locations around the world. Fortunately, for us here in Arizona, many of these fruits from around the world have been imported along with the immigrants that brought them to Arizona.

First of all, what is a fruit? Simply put, from a botanical standpoint, fruits are the mature and ripened ovaries of flowers. One of their main purposes is to spread the seeds and allow the plant to reproduce. As a matter of fact, all flowering plants produce fruit, regardless of whether the fruit is edible, sweet, or soft. Even though we call peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes vegetables, they are technically fruits.

So, you might ask, “What is the difference between a fruit and a vegetable?”.

The answer is: a fruit develops from the flower of a plant, while the other parts of the plant are categorized as vegetables. Fruits contain seeds, while vegetables usually consist of roots (including the swollen portions known as tubers, think potatoes), stems, and leaves.

Did you know that citrus production is a major fruit in Arizona?

Arizona is listed among the top producers of citrus in the country, number one being Florida, then California. Texas and Arizona fill out the top four. The citrus industry in Arizona even predates statehood by several decades.

The size of Arizona alone provides an assortment of different climate environments. For instance, the northern areas endure cold winters and occasional water shortages, therefore contributing to a low citrus output. A majority of the state’s citrus production comes from just four southern counties, Yuma, Maricopa, Mohave, and Pinal, where lemons, limes, mandarins, grapefruit, and oranges thrive in the warm sun and fertile soil of this region.

 

Arizona produces the second most number of lemons in the United States filling about 18 percent of all American demand. Our orange and grapefruit production ranks fourth — behind Florida, California and Texas. Arizona also produces about 13 percent of America’s tangerines.

Unfortunately, citrus production nationwide has been on a downward slide for the last couple of years. 2020 -2021 production was down 12 percent from the same time period in 2019-2020 and Arizona lemon output has dropped 56 percent during that same time period.

For you, as an expectant fruit tree grower, these figures should assure you that fruit trees do grow in Arizona as long as you pick the right kind of fruit tree based on the balance of chill hours and heat hours.

Some fruit trees also require a little more attention than others. Depending how much time you want to invest in them will determine which tree is right for you. The biggest mistake most people make, resulting in failure to produce fruit, is thinking the tree can take care of itself if only I just water it. Not so. The fruiting result is based on the maintenance need of the tree.

If you are new to fruit trees and want the easiest tree to grow for your first time, try the pomegranate. It’s almost harder to kill one of these trees than it is to grow one. It is hands down one of the easiest fruit trees to grow. It has low water and fertilizer needs and they are self-pollinating. It is drought-tolerant and very adaptable to a variety of soil conditions. You can grow them as trees or bushes depending on how you prune them and they will be covered in beautiful flowers in the spring that slowly grow into wonderful red fruits as the season progresses. They should be planted in the spring (February – March).

A few tips on having a successful fruit tree grow come from Shamus O’Leary of Greenlife Nursery (https://www.greenlifebyshamusoleary.com/) in Phoenix, AZ including:

When planting from a container dig the hole two-three times as deep and twice as wide as the original container. When watering for the first time, provide four times the gallon size of the container your new tree came in. For example, a three-gallon container would require 12 gallons of water. Thereafter, provide two times the container size in gallons using the following schedule.

• Winter (below 70 degrees): water once every 7-14 days
• Spring and Fall (70-90 degrees): water once every 5-7 days
• Summer (90-110 degrees): water once every 3-5 days
• Extreme Heat (above 110 degrees): water once every 1-3 days

You can check out Shamus’s website for more information.

Aside from the citrus trees mentioned earlier in this topic, you can also think about such trees as Persimmon, Apple, Asian Pear, Apricot/Plum, Nectarine/Peach, Jujube, Fig trees, and Grapes.

Be bold and go where you haven’t gone before: plant a fruit tree in your garden. In the coming weeks I’ll dip into these trees in a little more depth. In the meantime, stop by our Market and get some tips and good advice from the tree vendors here. Maybe take home a tree and begin that new adventure this week.

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).

We are looking forward to seeing you all at this coming week’s Market. For more information on all our vendors and the products they will be bringing, please see this week’s Farmers’ Market newsletter at www.sierravistafarmersmarkets.com.  Also, check out our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/sierravistafarmersmarket/.

SWEET, CRISP CARROTS YEAR ROUND

By John Chapman

 

Carrots are one of the most efficient users of soil, are well adapted to our western soils and can be sown almost year-round – one of the longest growing seasons of any vegetable matched only by green onions. Germination is slow about 10 days to 2 weeks in warm weather and up to 3 weeks and even longer during the cooler winter months so sow the seed thick and thin later with a pair of scissors just below the soil line.

 

If being sown in a square foot block, sow the seed in sixteen separate small soil indentations, two seeds to each indentation and covered with light covering of soil. During the cold months plastic coverings will be needed to heat up the soil and encourage germination.

 

Hard dry and rocky soil causes forked carrots so compost is a great soil amendment because it not only helps to lower the pH but also helps to break up the clay soil to make water penetration easier and to improve the looseness of the soil. Initially, up to four inches of compost should be worked into the top 8 to 12 inches of soil.

 

In subsequent planting seasons, the application should be repeated because the compost will decompose and disappear within a couple of seasons. Long rooted grocery store varieties like Imperator need loose soil tilled to a depth of 12 inches or more or you get forked hairy carrots. Nantes types are about three fourths as long and half longs like Chantenay are better for home gardens and can be grown in as little as six inches of soil.

 

Sowing seed is tedious because the seed is so small but easy to grow once you get the seedlings started. They must have constant moisture until almost mature to grow quickly and continuously without stops even if this means covering with cloth in warm weather and watering several times a day until the seed sprouts. As they near maturity slow down the watering or they will crack.

 

Plant another crop about every three weeks to have a continuous harvest for 9 months. Thin the carrots in about six weeks or so or they will not fill out. Do this with a pair of scissors just below the soil line.

 

Harvest the largest carrots first; you can tell which ones they are by digging around them with your finger to check, then replacing the soil if immature. Don’t wait until they are the largest, harvest them young when they are their sweetest and most tender.

 

Some years ago, some of my grandchildren visited me while I was working in my carrots. All agreed they hated carrots. I told them to then leave my carrots alone because they were too good and sweet for them. I then dug up some mature carrots, washed them off and proceeded to eat them. Some of my grandchildren asked for a bite and testified to the others how good they were. Soon all wanted to dig, wash, and eat carrots. Shortly they wiped out about 50 carrots. I chided them that they all had agreed that they hated carrots. “Oh grandpa, we hate store carrots, we love your carrots” they responded.

 

Plant a few carrots every three weeks in your existing landscape for continuous harvest of sweet crisp carrots year-round.

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: Rich Kettner

 

 

 

 

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 –

Onions are ready! Red and golden beets, kohlrabi, 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

TOMATO PLANT SALE
spring has turned into summer and I just finished setting out the last of my own tomato plants. This will provide a full 6 months of tomato growth.
Our tomato plants are now on sale so you can add a later season tomato yield to your garden.
Herbs: mint, catnip, yarrow, fennel, garlic, garlic chives and onions.
We have strawberry plants, fig trees,
a variety of flowering shrubs, trees, etc.
The fruit season has started with Apricots that are now ripening.Veggies this week:
carrots, peas, turnips, kale, chard, onions, garlic. spinach, dill and cabbage.
Come see us at Ruth’s Garden

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
Kathy and Jim will be back in October.

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
Victor will NOT be at the market this week.
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

 

 

 

 

 

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