Sierra Vista Farmers Market Vendor Update for 6-2-2022 – –

Welcome to the Sierra Vista Farmers Market Update for June 2, 2022

 

Growing The Forbidden Fruit in Arizona?
By Uncle Ralph (Ralph Wildermuth) 1 June 2022

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

Last time we touched on growing fruit trees in Arizona. I mentioned pomegranate trees as an easy grower here in our part of the world. Pomegranates are mentioned numerous times in the Old Testament and in the Jewish temple.

Today I would like to talk about the tree which some researchers say was the forbidden fruit that began it all referenced in Genesis 3 of the Christian Bible.

Research conducted by some Archaeobotanists says that the dawn of agriculture may have begun with the domestication of fig trees in the Near East some 11,400 years ago, about 1,000 years before crops such as wheat, barley, and legumes. If accurate this dates the domestication of figs to about 5,000 years earlier than previously thought. That makes figs the oldest known domesticated crop.

Could it have been the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden? Perhaps.

Popular lore has the apple as the forbidden fruit Eve ate from, probably because the apple is, arguably, the most familiar fruit in the world. It is grown in temperate environments around the globe and its history is deeply intertwined with humanity. Even Walt Disney used a juicy, red, poisoned apple to symbolize temptation.

Scientists believe that apples were first domesticated in the Tian Shan region of southern Kazakhstan no more than 3000 years ago.

But, herein lies the problem.

Even though the exact location of the Garden of Eden has not been found, and some people even believe it doesn’t exist, an oasis in the middle of the Iraqi desert has been given credit. This site has even been designated a world heritage site by UNESCO.

Unfortunately, this oasis is some 1600 miles from where the domesticated apple tree originated.

Genesis, however, never names the fruit. It only says in Gen 2, “but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” Hebrew scholars have also pointed to other parts of the Bible specifically mentioning that fig leaves (very large, some up to 10 inches) were used to cover Adam and Eve and Jesus cursed the fig tree on his way to Jerusalem.

So, how did the apple become the star of Genesis? Well, we may be able to pin it to Rome in A.D. 382., when Pope Damasus I (366 to 384 AD) asked a scholar named Jerome to translate the Bible into Latin. You see the Hebrew word for fruit is “peri” and Jerome translated it into “malum” which translates into “apple” in English. It was an honest mistake, however, as malum was also a generic term for “fruit.” A better translation might have been to use the Latin word “fructus” and save the controversy from even beginning.

On a side note, I have often wondered whether mankind’s insatiable lure for godlike knowledge wreaking havoc on the human race had anything to do with the logo that appears on all Apple iPhones (an apple with a bite mark), a device that approximates godlike knowledge if ever there was one.  A nod to Eve’s original sin? An ode to humanity’s insatiable hunger for infinite knowledge? Perhaps.

Well, you can put your mind to rest on that one as Rob Janoff, designer of the logo in 1977 said “No.”

Many explanations can be decerned if the “Forbidden Fruit” was a fig from a fig tree. It explains why it was so delicious. It explains why it came to represent the fate of Israel — for good or for evil. And it explains why Jesus, on His way to Calvary before Passover, cursed the fig tree so violently. The fact that it was the first domesticated crop also helps.

You are missing a great experience if you have never tasted fresh figs right from the tree. Store-bought and dehydrated figs are nothing in comparison to a fruit freshly selected off the tree in the perfect stage of ripeness (slightly wrinkled).

Black figs have deep, rich flavors while red-fleshed varieties like Little Miss Figgy, often bring forth a berry flavor. White and yellow cored figs display a sweet, honeyed, light and fresh taste, while green figs boast a candied syrup interior. These sweet, nutritious nature’s candy are super easy to help thrive and eventually harvest. It usually takes two to three years for the first fruiting.

Figs (Ficus carica, members of the mulberry family) grow well in any reasonable moisture-retentive but well-drained soil with a pH balance of around 6.0 to 6.5. They also grow well in large containers. Plant new fig trees, bare rooted fig trees are the recommended, outside in full sunlight when they’re dormant. The best times are late fall or early spring, around March here in Arizona. It’s essential to keep them safe from cold wind and frosty conditions. Conversely, while it’s a warm weather fruit, the edible fig needs around a hundred hours of chilly weather to grow and set fruit. Watch out for clay heavy soil as this can prove to be a death sentence for your tree.

Whether you are planning for the ground or in a pot, don’t add any additional fertilizer to the soil at planting time. This will just result in lots of weak, bushy growth.

You will need to water your fig tree every three to five days due to the water evaporating faster if it is very hot and record-breaking.

After the tree is established, you don’t really need to prune fig trees if they are planted in the ground, other than to remove dead branches. If you do want to prune the fig in the ground wait until it is dormant. Being deciduous, fig trees will lose their leaves in the fall. The fruit develops from a female flower and therefore does not require pollination.

Of course, if you want to grow figs in containers than you will need to prune them to make them manageable. Use a pot that is at least 18 inches across and at least 1 foot deep. Fill it with a good quality organic potting soil, and, if at all possible, leave a few inches of space between the top of the soil and the rim of the pot (for adding mulch later, if desired). Don’t prune a contained fig tree during the first year. Wait until the second year and then prune it down to about half its size for manageability.

Keep in mind that most fig trees are approximately 25 feet tall and just as wide, so they need a good amount of space to flourish. Some varieties of fig trees that do well in our low desert climate such as the Chicago Hardy, the Little Miss Figgy, the Yellow Fig, Brown Turkey, Mission, and the Desert King.
If you’re looking for something a little smaller, look no further than the Fenomenal dwarf fig tree. This little critter only grows to a compact 28 inches or so (height and width) and are great for container grows. They produce plentiful medium sized fruit with a medium brown outer skin and a deep pink center. These are extremely low-maintenance, just give them full sun, water regularly, and move to a warm spot during freezing weather.

Keep in mind that the fig tree is toxic to pets, even though the fruit is exquisite to eat for humans.

When the “neck” area of the fig (the point where it connects to the plant) starts to shrivel a bit and the fruits droop on the plants, it is time for harvesting. If you notice a milky white sap coming from the stem, wait a little longer. They are not quite ripe yet. You might want to wear gloves to avoid getting the sap stuck to your fingers. This sticky and milky sap has even been used by some, to remove warts from calves and foals.

It is really rewarding to grow fig trees. The fruit is quite tasty, and they produce two harvests in one growing season. You can have all the figs you can eat. Figs are an amazing source of fiber and help functional control of diabetes. What’s more, there is nothing like a health food that tastes like decadent candy. Checkout our Market and see if some of the vendors have figs yet.

Ruth and Ray with Ruth’s garden and Backyard Gardening & Growing usually carry a variety when the season starts.

Take care and see you next time!

 

 

NOTHING SAYS SUMMER LIKE SWEET CORN

By John Chapman (reprinted by Herlad/Review)

Aha, tender juicy ears of sweet corn on the cob are one of the joys of summer.

Sweet corn is different than dent corn also known as field corn. Dent corn is harvested in a mature stage and gets its name from the pronounced dent in the top of the kernel whereas sweet corn is harvested in an immature milky stage.

Dent corn is used for animal feed and mildly sweet corn syrup. After additional refining we also get very sweet high fructose corn syrup. Corn meal and corn tortillas also come from dent corn. We will be talking about growing sweet corn.

According to Mississippi State University “There are three types of genes and sweet corn. It is the genes that cause corn to form sugar instead of starch in the kernels. The first sweet corns discovered are called normal, or sugary-1 types. These varieties are designated (su-1) in catalogs. Their kernels have starch and sugar in them. The second type of sweet corn is called sugary enhanced (se) corn. They have more sugar than su-1 types but do have starch in the kernels. The third type discovered has no starch in the kernels, only sugar. They are called Supersweet, or shrunken 2 (sh-2) corns since the seeds shrivel when dry. These are the sweetest corns.”

Sweet corn takes more water and fertilizer than any other vegetable we grow in the home garden. Its popularity is second only to tomatoes. Timing is everything when growing sweet corn.

According to the University of AZ planting guide for Cochise County we should plant sweet corn May 25-July 1.

In order for sweet corn to pollinate, we have to plant in groups of 4-5 seeds 4 inches apart called hills or in 4 row blocks 24 inches apart; seeds planted 4 inches apart and after germination are thinned to 12 inches between plants. Whether in row-blocks or hills, before planting, work into the soil ammonium phosphate 16-20-0 and water it once; when the soil is just moist – plant about 1 inch deep.

Water daily if by drip irrigation- every other day if by row furrow method.

After germination, if growing in the 4 row-blocks, thin the plants to 1 foot apart – tight plants won’t pollinate properly. If growing in hills do not thin, the surviving plants will pollinate just fine.

At the 5-leaf stage, side dress rows or hills with nitrogen, either ammonium sulfate 21-0-0 or if an organic grower, blood meal. Continue to fertilize weekly until the tassle stage. After the tassle stage stop fertilizing.

Corn ear worms can attack at any time. If they get into the growing center, control with Sevin or if an organic gardener Bacillus thuringiensis Bt. As the silks begin to show, spray with Sevin or several drops of mineral oil into the silks to suffocate the larva.

As the silks begin to dry and brown, open the end of the ear and press a finger nail into a corn kernel, when the milky liquid comes out of the kernel, the ear is ready for picking.

You get about 2 ears per stock with sweet corn. Eating it raw right off the cob demonstrates why it is called sweet corn. Putting a freshly picked ear of sweet corn right into the microwave oven husk and all for 3 minutes and it is steamed, ready to butter up and eat.

For frozen storage, the sooner the ears are shucked, blanched, and freezer bagged, the more tender the thawed corn will be when you enjoy it later.

Personally, I plant “Peaches and Cream” a bicolor super sweet sh-2. There are many other delicious choices also. 

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: Damon Bastrom

 

 

 

 

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, zucchini and yellow sqaush, 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.

Ravina Arizona
Micro greens

Ruth’s Hens & Garden

The apricots are here! The full crop of ripe ready to eat fruit.
Bouquets of dill are available.
The last of our spring peas.
Thank you to all you purchased for our tomato plants this year. The response was rewarding but we do have a few left. Fresh onions and beautiful heads of cabbages all available 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
Dona broke her wrist and will be absent from the market for a while.
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
Kathleen will NOT be at the market this week.
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, eggrolls, springrolls, glass noodles

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
Wood works such as Lazy Susans, checker boards, and unique writing utensils

 

Rincon Valley Artisans

 

New artisans:

Desert Owl Forge
Leta’s Gallery
Crafts by Kate
Allie’s Attic
Richard Mann -woodworkings
Dust & Sky-paintings
R & W Gifts
Blue Bear Trading
Tombstone Pottery

 

 

 

 

 

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