Monday, May 12, 2025
Farmers markets opening in Oakland County
Monday, June 14, 2021
It's strawberry season in Southeast Michigan
The short but sweet strawberry season has arrived in Southeast Michigan. The season usually lasts two-three weeks, dependent on the weather.
In addition to area farms and orchards, many farmers markets sell fresh strawberries. Customers are advised to check picking availability at farms, before going, and to follow COVID-19 safety measures such as social distancing.
Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill, 17985 Armada Center Road, Armada, 586-784-5343, blakefarms.com.
CLOSED Middleton Berry Farm, 4888 Oakwood Road, Ortonville, www.middletonberryfarm.com, www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064893062748.
Spicer Orchards, 10411 Clyde, Fenton. Open 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily, June through October, 810-632-7692 or www.spicerorchards.com, U-pick strawberries, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., while supplies last.
Verellen Orchards, 63260 Van Dyke Road, Washington Township. Call 586-752-2989 for picking availability. U-pick strawberries and cherries, while supplies last. Buy already picked apples, peaches and plums in season at roadside market. The picnic area has an old-fashioned train, www.verellen orchards.com.
Westview Orchards and Adventure Farm, 65075 Van Dyke Road, Washington Township. Call 586-752-3123 or visit www.westvieworchards.com. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for U-pick. The market is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. for already-picked strawberries in June; cherries and raspberries in late June through mid July; peaches in early August through Labor Day; apples in late August through end of October and pumpkins in late September through October.
Sunday, January 31, 2021
Save the seeds for next year's garden

Sunday, March 22, 2020
Social distancing in the garden
When my husband saw that the ground wasn't frozen, he ran the rototiller through the garden and on March 7, we planted peas and spinach. Then last week, on March 15, we planted Swiss chard, carrots, radishes, green onions and scallions. I worry that we may have jumped the gun, since the past two nights' temperatures have been in the 20s, but it should be alright.
It's a great distraction to have a spot in the yard to dig around and plant vegetables during this time of seclusion due to the coronavirus outbreak. And it might reduce trips to the grocery store later.
We're planning to invest in a small greenhouse, to start more of our own plants from seed. It will be more work, but hopefully it will be worthwhile.
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Our trusty rhubarb shoots have sprung up. I'm looking forward to rhubarb bars and pie. |
1. The best containers are wood pulp pots or peat pots. You can also use plastic cell containers with covers or egg cartons with holes poked in the bottom and saran wrap on top. (Or reuse the annual flats from last year.) Whatever you use, make sure it has drainage.
2. Fill with potting soil, preferably a mix with sphagnum peat moss. Moisten the soil.
3. Plant a few seeds, not many, about 1/8 inch deep and pat the soil lightly. Then cover with plastic and place in a very warm place, out of direct sunlight.
4. Keep watered. Once the seeds sprout, move the pots to a bright spot, a south-facing window is best. Water often, but not too much or too fast. The plants are fragile. If they get too big for their containers, move them to bigger pots.
5. When it gets close to planting time, it's time to harden them by placing them outside during the day, to get used to it, but not in direct sunlight at first. Bring them in every night.
6. When it's warm enough at night, transplant to the garden. Dig a hole slightly deeper than the pot and put the plant in, supporting it with your fingers. Firm the soil gently around the stem. Water carefully.
For tomatoes, it takes 6-8 weeks before they'll be ready to transplant outside. For Southeast Michigan, wait until Memorial Day to put tomatoes and peppers outside, because they are very frost sensitive and will grow much better when it's warmer at night. Occasionally, there is frost after Memorial Day, so watch the weather and cover plants when there's a frost forecast.
Southeast Michigan is mostly in Plant Hardiness Zone 5 with a few areas in Zone 6.
For more information, visit Burpee's guide to indoor seed starting, www.burpee.com/gardenadvicecenter/areas-of-interest/seed-starting/indoor-seed-starting/article10002.html
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Garden is off to a late, but delicious start
I have to brag about the seed variety, Burpee White Paris Romaine lettuce. I don't usually look forward to eating a salad, but this variety is delicious and the plants are healthy and productive. The weather definitely helped, as the conditions were optimal for green leafy vegetables.
We also had a healthy crop of spinach, and we're picking Swiss chard, carrots, green onions, parsley and broccoli. (We bought broccoli transplants). We were going to redo our raised bed garden, but haven't yet, and now there is volunteer dill and cilantro coming up. I didn't realize that cilantro is much like a weed. I've found it growing on the lawn. But that is a good thing at my house.
Everybody I've talked to has had a good garden this year. But the cold wet spring has adversely affected the real farmers who grow soybean and corn, because they couldn't get in the fields to plant the seeds early enough.
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Growing herbs in the kitchen
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On the left: Watex Plant Garden Desktop Kitchen Farm |
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I emailed Watex customer service to ask for instructions, because
this is all that came with the package.
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Thursday, March 14, 2019
6 steps to starting garden indoors
I've been sprouting Mung beans for my gardening fix during the winter. It's so easy and offers nearly instant gratification.
For information on sprouting, visit wholefully.com/sprouting-101
I really want to get motivated and start plants indoors. That's not nearly as easy as growing sprouts, but when it works, it is very rewarding.
6 steps to starting garden indoors:
1. The best containers are wood pulp pots or peat pots. You can also use plastic cell containers with covers or egg cartons with holes poked in the bottom and saran wrap on top. (Or reuse the annual flats from last year.) Whatever you use, make sure it has drainage.
2. Fill with potting soil, preferably a mix with sphagnum peat moss. Moisten the soil.
3. Plant a few seeds, not many, about 1/8 inch deep and pat the soil lightly. Then cover with plastic and place in a very warm place, out of direct sunlight.
4. Keep watered. Once the seeds sprout, move the pots to a bright spot, a south-facing window is best. Water often, but not too much or too fast. The plants are fragile. If they get too big for their containers, move them to bigger pots.
5. When it gets close to planting time, it's time to harden them by placing them outside during the day, to get used to it, but not in direct sunlight at first. Bring them in every night.
6. When it's warm enough at night, transplant to the garden. Dig a hole slightly deeper than the pot and put the plant in, supporting it with your fingers. Firm the soil gently around the stem. Water carefully.
For tomatoes, it takes 6-8 weeks before they'll be ready to transplant outside. For Southeast Michigan, wait until Memorial Day to put tomatoes and peppers outside, because they are very frost sensitive and will grow much better when it's warmer at night. Occasionally, there is frost after Memorial Day, so watch the weather and cover plants when there's a frost forecast.
Southeast Michigan is mostly in Plant Hardiness Zone 5 with a few areas in Zone 6.