Better to plant late, than not at all

We're off to a late start here at the Blake Garden. We lost last weekend due to a bad cold that hit both my husband and me. So today, we were busy catching up, planting beans, and stuff that we just hadn't got around to planting, like broccoli plants and red onion sets.
I planted parsley a few weeks ago, but it didn't come up. The spinach, Swiss chard, kale and green onions are coming along nicely.
Our asparagus and rhubarb have made their annual return and are producing well. I still haven't made rhubarb pie, but I gathered all the other ingredients from the grocery store. The recipe is on a recent post.
We have an excessive amount of volunteer cilantro growing in the raised bed garden. I guess I will dry it and save it for salsa season.
 We probably could have planted tomatoes and peppers today, but we always wait until Memorial weekend, even though I think it's warm enough at night now.

Oakland Schools Technical Campuses host plant sales

• 44th annual Garden Center Sale is open during class hours, 8-9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. through June 8 at Oakland Schools Technical Campus Southwest, 1000 Beck Road, Wixom: Open plus weekend sale, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. May 21-22, 248-668-5634.
• Spring Plant Sale at Oakland Schools Technical Campus Northwest, 8211 Big Lake Road, Clarkston: Open 8 a.m.-2 p.m. May 18-May 25, annuals, perennials and vegetables.

Farmers markets are opening

 Here's the list of farmers markets open or opening soon in Oakland County:

• Birmingham Farmers Market, 660 N. Old Woodward Ave., Parking Lot No. 6 N., Birmingham: Open 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Sundays, May 1-Oct. 23, 248-530-1200, www.birminghamfarmersmarket.org.

• Clawson Farmers Market, 1080 N. Custer Ave., Clawson: Flower day is May 22, regular market is open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays, starting June 5, 248-435-6500, www.cityofclawson.com.

• Davisburg-Springfield Farmers Market, 12000 Davisburg Road, Davisburg: Open May 15 for plant day, and then 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays, June 5-Oct. 2, 248-249-1592, springfieldfarmersmarket.wordpress.com.

• Farmington Farmers and Artisans Market, at Walter E. Sundquist Pavilion, 33113 Grand River Ave., at Grove St., Farmington: Open 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays May 14-Nov.5. Call 248-473-7276 ext. 13, www.downtownfarmington.org/AbouttheDowntown/FarmersMarket.html.

• Franklin Farmers Market on the Green at Franklin Community Park in Franklin: Open 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays, May 1 through season.

• Downtown Holly Farm & Flea Market, 202 S. Saginaw St., Holly: Open 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays and 4-8 p.m. Thursdays, May 7-Oct. 29, 248-735-0500, www.HollyFarmandFlea.com.

• Huron Valley Farmers Market at 300 W. Livingston, Highland: Open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, May 7-Oct. 1, www.hvs.org.

• Milford Farmers Market, Liberty Street between South Main and Union streets: Open 3-8 p.m., Thursdays, May 5-Oct.13, www.milfordfarmersmarket.org.

• Northville Farmers Market at Northville Downs Track, Seven Mile and Sheldon, Northville: Open 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Thursdays, May 5 to Oct. 27, Flower sale is May 27-28, 248-349-7640, www.northville.org.

• Oakland County Farmers Market, 2350 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford Township: Open 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, May-December. Spring Flower Day Sale is May 22, 248-858-5495, www.destinationoakland.com/countymarket.

• Oxford Open Air Market at Centennial Park, Oxford: Open 2-7 p.m. Thursdays (hours during Concerts in the Park are 4-9 p.m. Thursdays, June 16-Aug. 25) and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays, May 5-Oct. 1, 248-693-7067, www.oxfordopenairmarket.com.

• Rochester Farmers Market, East Third and Water Street, Rochester: Open 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, May 7-Oct. 29, 248-656-0060, www.DowntownRochesterMI.com.

• Royal Oak Farmers Market, 316 E. 11 Mile, Royal Oak: Open 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays, May-December and 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays year round, 248-246-3276, www.ci.royal-oak.mi.us/farmersmkt/index.html.

• South Lyon Farmers Market, at Pontiac Trail and Liberty St., South Lyon: Open 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, May 7-Oct. 29, 248-437-1735, www.southlyonmi.org.

• Walled Lake Farmers Market, 1499 E. W. Maple, Walled Lake: Open 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays, May-Oct., 248-624-4847.

• 44th annual Garden Center Sale is May 2-June 8 at Oakland Schools Technical Campus Southwest, 1000 Beck Road, Wixom: Open during class hours, 8-9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. plus weekend sale, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. May 21-22, 248-668-5634.

• Spring Plant Sale at Oakland Schools Technical Campus Northwest, 8211 Big Lake Road, Clarkston: Open 8 a.m.-2 p.m. May 18-May 25, annuals, perennials and vegetables.

Old reliable rhubarb brings a springtime treat

Every year, the perennial rhubarb plants shoot up out of the Earth and quickly become the first taste of spring at our house. Below are our family's favorite rhubarb recipes. I saw a rhubarb pudding pie recipe somewhere that sounded interesting and I've always wanted to make a standard rhubarb pie, but can't get past these two delicious recipes.
My Mother, Genny, gave me the "Rhubarb Bars" recipe and my Mother-in-law, Minnie, sent the "Rhubarb Cheesecake" recipe.

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.

Rhubarb Cheesecake
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 first 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.