It
being the beginning of May, the outdoor farmers market season starts for us at Evergreen
Brick Works in Toronto ’s Don Valley
It
has been a long winter for everyone, of course, with more than our normal share
of cold, snow, and especially ice. We stayed home this winter with wood-fires blazing,
eyeing with envy the cheerful reports from friends in hot climes. Spring has
been tortuously slow and steady, like a dripping tap. However, we now find
ourselves just a little behind in our seasonal rhythm of digging the beds and
planting in the greenhouses. Outside, the landscape is regaining some colour
and contrast as the grasses green, the garlics poke their heads up, and the dandelions
and weeds follow. Heavy rains the last few days have left the brown earth
furrows in the plowed fields temporarily waterlogged.
The
beds in the greenhouses are now fully planted and beginning to fill in nicely
with early spring greens. At market this week, we will have bags of pre-washed
arugula, baby spinach, mixed greens, spicy greens, and baby kale – all certified
organic and freshly-picked on Friday, of course. Next week, there will be more
of these, plus baby lettuce mix and maybe baby beet greens.
And
so another growing season is underway. The joy and wonder in seeing these tiny
seeds turn into succulent, nutritious food never wanes. This year, we are
focusing marketing efforts on Saturday Brick Works and Tuesday afternoon (this
year 2 to 7pm) Riverdale
Park
