Farmers' markets are opening!

There's a bunch of farmers' markets that are open now. I would like to list all the farms that sell to the public. If you know of a farm or market not listed, please comment or send an email to me at kathyblake1@aol.com.

Macomb County farmers markets
Gibraltar Trade Center, 237 North River Road, Mount Clemens, open noon to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, 586-465-6440.
Mount Clemens Farmers Market, 141 N. River Road, Mount Clemens, open 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 586-493-7600.
New Baltimore Farmers Market, on Washington at Main, New Baltimore, opens in July, 586-557-4841, www.ridethewavenb.com.
Shelby Township Farmers Market, 49965 Van Dyke, 586-943-5785.
Warren Farmers Market, on City Center Drive in Warren, 586-943-5785.

Oakland County farmers markets
Auburn Hills Farmers Market, 3308 Auburn Road, open 3-7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 248-504-8102, www.auburnhills.org.
Birmingham Farmers Market, 660 N. Old Woodward Ave., Lot No. 6 N. Old Woodward Ave., north of Harmon, open 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Sundays, 248-530-1200, www.birmighafarmersmarker.org.
Clarkston Farmers Market, downtown Clarkston, across from Depot Park. Opening June 18, www.clarkstonfarmersmarket.org.
Clawson Farmers Market, 1080 N Custer Ave., Clawson, opening July 17, 248-435-6500, www.clawsonfarmersmarket.info
Farmington Farmers and Artisans Market, at Walter E. Sundquist Pavilion, 33113 Grand River Ave., at Grove St., open 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. Call 248-473-7276 ext. 13, www.downtownfarmington.org/AbouttheDowntown/FarmersMarket.html.
Lake Orion Farmers Market at Howarth United Methodist Church, 550 E. Silver Bell, east of M-24, open Wednesdays, beginning June 15, downtownlakeorion.org.
Lake Orion Farmers Market, S. Anderson St., two blocks south of Flint Street and one block east of Broadway, near Children’s Park, 248-693-9742, www.lakeorionfarmersmarket.com. Opening 2-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 1.
Milford Farmers Market, on Liberty Street between S. Main St. and Union St. Open 3-8 p.m., www.milfordfarmersmarket.org.
Novi Farmers Market & International Street Fair, 46100 Grand River Ave., Novi, 248-504-8102, www.novifarmersmarket.com, open 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturdays, beginning June 18.
Orion Farmers Market at Canterbury Village on Joslyn Road north of I-75, open 2 p.m.-dusk, Tuesdays and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays beginning June 14.
Oakland County Farmers Market, 2350 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford Township. Open 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays, 248-858-5495.
Ortonville’s Beets, Beats and Eats, Crossman Park, downtown Ortonville 6-9 p.m., beginning June 17, 248-240-0907, www.downtownortonville.org/bbe.
Oxford Farmers Market, open 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursdays, May 26 through Sept. 1, northwest corner of Burdick St., behind the Funky Monkey toy store, 248-693-7067, orionfarmersmarket.com.
Rochester Farmers Market, E. Third and Water St., open 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, 248-656-0060, www.DowntownRochesterMI.com.
Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak Farmers Market, 3601 W. 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak, 248-898-3031.
Royal Oak Farmers Market, 316 E. 11 Mile, open 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 248-246-3276, www.ci.royal-oak.mi.us/farmersmkt/index.html.
Southfield Farmers Market, on Greenfield Road, south of J.L. Hudson Drive, open 3-7 p.m., Thursdays, June 2 through Oct. 13, 248-796-5196, www.southfieldfarmersmarket.net.
South Lyon Farmers Market, at Pontiac Trail and Liberty St., South Lyon, open 2-7 p.m. Wednesdays, 248-437-1735, www.southlyonmi.org.
Springfield Farmers Market, 1200 Davisburg Road, Davisburg, open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays beginning June 19, 248-846-6558.
Walled Lake Farmers Market, 1499 E. W. Maple, Walled Lake, open 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays, 248-624-4847.
Wixom Farmers Market, 49399 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, 3-7 p.m. Thursdays, 248-624-2850.

Roses are red, yellow, pink, orange, white, etc...

I received the following inquiry and wanted to share the answers.

To Kathy,
I am looking to have some rose bushes and other flowers planted for the summer.
Is this something you do?
When is an appropriate time to start due to the weather?
H.H.

 Dear H.H.
Sorry but I can't help with the planting. Maybe you can find a high school student to help.

Roses should be planted in early Spring, so I hope you can get them planted soon.
All flowers and summer plants can be planted now. It might frost again,
but probably won't. The next 10 day forecast calls for lows in the 50's in northern
Oakland County.

Here's a good link for planting roses.
http://www.diy-home-tips.com/planting-rose-bushes.html

Auburn Hills Perennial exchange

Auburn Hills 19th annual Perennial Exchange is 11a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at River Woods Park Pavillion, just south of M-59 and Squirrel Road. Those attending should bring perennials in pots. The event features complimentary baked goods, raffle and a presentation on gardening.
Call 248-364-6946.

How to Prevent Back Pain When Gardening and Playing Sports

Here's a real backsaver from Dr. David Wang, a specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at The Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine (www.kaplanclinic.com)

 MCLEAN, VIRGINIA – (May 16, 2011) – With the weather getting warmer, millions of people will be playing sports or getting out in the garden. However, some may find their efforts thwarted by back pain, which can develop if they jump into things and exert themselves too quickly. The good news is that whether you are gardening or engaging in sports, there are ways you can minimize the chances of getting back pain, and ways to manage back pain if it does develop. “Over 80% of people will have low back pain at some point during life, although most of them fortunately recover on their own.” explains Dr. David Wang, a specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at The Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine (www.kaplanclinic.com), located in McLean, VA.  “When it comes to gardening and back pain, your body may need a few weeks after the long winter to become accustomed again to the physical stresses of gardening, such as squatting, twisting, lifting and digging.” 
Precautions you can take to limit back pain when gardening include:

• Begin slowly, rather than trying to do too much in one session.  Split larger gardening projects into several shorter sessions while you build your stamina.
• Think of it like other forms of physical activity, and always warm up before you begin with 10-20 repetitions of gentle exercises like standing hip circles, toe touches, back bends, and leg lifts.  Again, gentle is the key! 
• Pay attention to your body position when lifting heavy objects, such as planters and bags of fertilizer.  Keep the item close to your body, and bend your knees (squat) so that you can keep your back as vertical as possible when you pick up the object, allowing you to lift with the leg muscles rather than straining the back muscles.
• Be sure to take breaks and to change your position every 15 minutes or so, especially if you are kneeling, squatting, or sitting in a bent or twisted position.
• Invest in good, long-handled gardening tools, which will help minimize the amount of back bending that you need to do.
• If back pain is a consistent problem, consider creating raised garden beds, which will also help to reduce the amount of bending that is needed.

When it comes to minimizing back pain when playing sports, much of the same advice holds true.

• It is important to always warm up, avoid over-exerting muscles, use proper equipment, , and take breaks to give your body time to rest.
• If your muscles are not very flexible, it is also important to stretch after activity, holding each stretch for 30 seconds, to gradually improve your flexibility and reduce your risk of injury.
• Consider working with a physical therapist or highly-qualified and experienced personal trainer for several weeks before starting the sports season.  This will allow you to properly prepare and condition your body for sports-specific activities.

Although most episodes of back pain get better on their own, there are certain situations where you should see a physician.  These include pain that is progressively worsening or lasts longer than three weeks, back pain accompanied by problems with your balance or bladder/bowel function, or back pain accompanied by leg pain, numbness and/or weakness.  If you do end up requiring medical care, it is important to realize that not all back pain is the same, and it can actually be quite complex.  “Several different factors may be contributing to your symptoms, including ligaments, tendons and mechanical alignment, and not just the discs, joints and nerves which are sometimes inappropriately blamed for back and leg pain,” states Dr. Wang.  “As such, be sure to see a specialist who has knowledge about a wide range of diagnoses and treatments, both surgical and non-surgical, and who focuses on treating the whole person and not just the symptoms.”
About The Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine and Dr. David C. Wang, DO
The Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine, located in McLean, Va., was founded by Dr. Gary Kaplan, a board-certified doctor of family medicine, pain medicine and medical acupuncture. The center is lead by a team of board-certified physicians with over 25 years of experience. Dr. Wang, who completed his training as Chief Resident at Harvard Medical School, has expertise in hands-on osteopathic manual treatment, medical acupuncture, musculoskeletal ultrasound, and prolotherapy/platelet-rich plasma injections, which are powerful regenerative treatments that encourage natural healing of injured joints, ligaments and tendons.  The specialists at The Kaplan Center also incorporate physical therapy, craniosacral therapy, chiropractic, and the sophisticated McKenzie Method of spine rehabilitation, among others, as part of a truly integrative approach to healing and health maintenance.  To learn more about The Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine, visit the website at www.kaplanclinic.com.

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Rhubarb recipes that you'll love

The rhubarb is coming up now and here are my favorite rhubarb recipes. Rhubarb and asparagus are our first garden products. I don't think they'd taste good in a dish together, but we've had a few meals which included both. We've grilled asparagus, rubbing the spears with olive oil and sprinkling with salt and pepper. Enjoy! Spring is really here!

Cream cheese rhubarb pie

¼ cup corn starch

1 cup sugar

½ tsp salt

½ cup water

2-1/2 cups rhubarb, cut in ½ inch pieces

1 unbaked pie crust, regular or graham cracker

Topping

1 package 8 oz. cream cheese, softened

2 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

In a saucepan, combine 1rst 3 ingredients, then the water and rhubarb.  Bring to boil, stirring often until mixture thickens.  Pour into pie shell and bake at 425 degrees for 10 minutes.  Protect edges of crust with aluminum foil.  Remove from oven and allow to cool.  Turn oven down to 325 degrees.

Meanwhile beat topping ingredients until smooth.  Pour on top of pie.  Bake for 35 minutes in 325 oven or until set.  Chill and garnish with whipped cream, and sliced almonds or strawberries.

Rhubarb Bars

3 cups rhubarb, chopped

1 ½ cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1 ¼ cup water

3 Tablespoons corn starch

1 ½ cup rolled oats

1 ½ cup rolled flour

1 cup brown sugar

½ tsp. baking soda

1 cup butter

½ cup nuts

Combine rhubarb, sugar, vanilla, cornstarch and water. Cook on stove until thick, cool  slightly. Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, soda, butter and nuts. Mix until crumbly. Put ¾ of mixture into 15 1/3 x 10 ½  jelly roll pan.  Spread rhubarb mixture on top. Cover with remaining crumbs. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes.

Time to plant if you can

The weather forecast for the next 10 days is well above freezing. The lowest of the lows is 43 degrees tomorrow. The highs during the 10 days are in the 50's and 60's. The downside is rain is predicted for every day except Saturday, May 21.
So the ground is muddy and it's raining off and on. Oh well, this is Michigan, we're tough, we can do it. If we don't plant seeds now, the weeds will take over and at the end of this time period, we will have to start over getting the ground ready to plant. Best of luck to all you gardeners for a fruitful season.

Plant and Seed Swap in Farmington Hills

Annual Plant and Seed Swap and Perennial Plant Sale is Saturday, May 14 at Heritage Park
Get your garden ready for spring with the Farmington Hills Beautification Commission’s Eleventh Annual Spring Plant and Seed Swap is 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 14, rain or shine, at the Heritage Park Visitor’s Center, located off Farmington Road between Ten and Eleven Mile Roads.
Trade in your extra daisies or daylilies and swap them for something new and different! Every year, both amateur and Master Gardeners come armed with plants from their gardens, eager to swap them for new and sometimes exotic species.  So come prepared, bright and early, with gloves, wagons, and your favorite plants and seeds to exchange.

School sells annual flowers in Wixom

The 39th annual garden-center sale has begun at the Oakland Schools Technical Campus Southwest campus, 1000 Beck Road, Wixom. Annual flowers are offered for walk-in and pre-order sales during regular class hours: 8 to 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and special weekend sale hours: 9 a.m. to noon May 7-8 and May 14-15 and 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, May 20. Pre-orders must be made by Friday, April 29. Call 248-668-5634.