Farmers markets opening in Oakland County, 2026

Birmingham Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays, May 3, through Oct. 25 at Public Parking Lot 6 at 660 North Old Woodward Avenue in downtown Birmingham. On May 3, activities include live entertainment, kids’ crafts, and complimentary reusable tote bags (while supplies last). Parking is free on Sundays in public garages and at metered spaces, https://downtownbirmingham.com/visit/farmers-market.
Clarkston Area Farmers Market: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, June 13 to Oct. 10 in the front parking lot at the Clarkston Community Education Center, 6558 Waldon Road, Clarkston, clarkstonareafarmersmarket@gmail.com, clarkstonareafarmersmarket.com.
Clawson Farmers Market: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. May 16, June 13, June 27, July 11 and Aug. 15, at the intersection of 14 Mile & Main Street, downtown Clawson. Also 3-8 p.m. July 25, during Cinema in the Street, www.cityofclawson.com.
Farmington Farmers and Artisans Market: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, May 2 through Nov. 7, at Walter E. Sundquist Pavilion, 33113 Grand River Ave., at Grove St., farmingtonfarmersmarket.com.
Fenton Farmers Market: 5-8 p.m. Thursdays, May 14 to Sept. 17, in front of the Fenton Community & Cultural Center, 150 S. Leroy St., Fenton, facebook.com/fentonmarket, slpr.net, pets are not allowed in market space.
Spicer Orchards: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, at 10411 Clyde, Fenton, 810-632-7692, spicerorchards.com.
Highland Farmers Market: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, July 11 to Oct. 3, at Highland Township Complex, 205 N. John St., Highland, www.facebook.com/HighlandFarmersMarketMichigan, www.highlandfarmmarket.com.
Holly Farmers Market: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays, May 3 through Oct. 25, at Crapo Park, downtown Holly, hollyfarmersmarket.weebly.com, www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568281307212.
Fogler's Greenhouse & Farm Market: Open daily, seasonally from spring to late fall, 559 S. Lapeer Road, Lake Orion, and 3979 Rochester Road, Rochester, foglersgreenhouse.com, 248-652-3614.Rochester market opened March 30 and Lake Orion market opened May 1.
Milford Farmers’ Market: 3-7 p.m. Thursdays, May 7 to Oct. 8, (no market on July 2 or Aug. 6) at East Liberty Street between S. Main St. and Union St., in downtown Milford, fresh produce in season, live music, family activities, milfordfarmersmarket.org.
Northville Farmers’ Market: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursdays, May 7 to Oct. 29 at 550 W Seven Mile Road, Northville, 248-349-7640, northville.org/farmers-market-vendors.
Oakland County Farmers Market: 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, May 2 through December, summer market hours, (the market is open year-round on Saturdays) at 2350 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford Twp., email OCmarket@oakgov.com, 248-858-5495, www.facebook.com/OaklandCountyFarmersMarket.
Oak Park Farmers Market: Sneak Peak is 1-5 p.m. Sunday, May 31, at Oak Park Community Center, 14300 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park. The regular market hours are 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursdays, June 25-Nov. 19, next to Oak Park City Hall, 248-691-7555, oakparkmi.gov, www.facebook.com/opfarmersmarket.
Ortonville Farmers Market: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, June 13 to Sept. 26, downtown Ortonville, Market Info Booth, 476 Mill St., facebook.com/ortonvillefarmersmarket.
Davis Family Farmers Market: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, May 2 to Oct. 10, at Seymour Lake Township Park, 2795 Seymour Lake Road, Oxford, https://oxparkrec.org.
Downtown Oxford Open Air Summer Market: 4-7 p.m. June 18, July 16 and Aug. 13, at Washington Square, Oxford. (Also, Summer Concert series is 6:30-8 p.m. Thursdays June 18-Aug. 13, excluding July 2), https://downtownoxford.info/events.
Harvest Time Farm Market: Open daily, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, at 1125 S Lapeer Road, Oxford, www.facebook.com/harvesttimefarmmarket, https://harvesttimeoxford.com. Retailer offering fresh produce and locally sourced goods.
Downtown Rochester Farmers' Market: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, May 2-Oct. 31, (closed July 4). The market will be moving back to its original location at the corner of E. Third and Water St., just one block east of Main Street, downtown Rochester. On opening day, free tote bags for the first 500 adult customers (also a giveaway for children, while supplies last), www.downtownrochestermi.com/farmers-market.
Royal Oak Farmers Market: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, year-round, and limited market is open 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays, May through November, 316 E. 11 Mile, Royal Oak, 248-246-3276, romi.gov/farmersmarket. Antiques and Collectibles show is 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays. Sights & Sounds + Food Truck Rally is 4-9 p.m. May 13, at the market.
South Lyon Farmers and Artisans Market: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, May 2 through October, at the parking lots at Liberty and Lafayette, downtown South Lyon, 248-388-7404, www.facebook.com/SouthLyonFarmersandArtisansMarket.
Midweek Markets & Music: Troy Farmers Market to be held, 3-7 p.m. Wednesdays June 10-Sept. 30, and Summer Concerts are 7–8:30 p.m. Wednesdays June 10-Aug. 26, at Jeanne M. Stine Community Park, 241 Town Center Drive, Troy, troymi.gov/farmersmarket, www.facebook.com/TroyFarmMkt, visit the farmers market, then set up lawn chairs and blankets for free concerts from 7–8:30 p.m. at the Troy Community Foundation Performing Arts Stage.
Walled Lake Market Place: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays, May 6 to October, at 1499 E. West Maple, Walled Lake, 248-624-4847, walledlake.us, www.facebook.com/WalledLakeMarketPlace.

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.

Save the seeds for next year's garden

This year, I am looking at buying seeds from heirloom seed companies, rather than purchasing whatever is available at my local hardware store or greenhouse. Last year, when greenhouses were closed due to the governor's executive order, I bought seeds on Amazon, which I regretted. I received seeds from all over, including China. There was a story circulating about seeds being sent from China to people who didn't order them. I had actually ordered seeds from China, but I burned the seeds, just in case.

Google "mystery seeds from china" if you want more information.

This year, I'm planning to start with good seeds, and then harvest the seeds from the crops at the end of the season. I've done a little bit of it in the past, but want to make a deeper commitment to it, going forward.

There's a workshop about saving seeds, tomorrow.

The Lyon Township library is hosting a "A Seed Saver's Garden" workshop, at 6:30 p.m. EST, Monday, Feb. 1, via Zoom at  lyon.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/a-seed-savers-garden/

Here's the heirloom seed companies' websites where I will be shopping:

Seed Saver Exchange, www.seedsavers.org

Baker Creek, www.rareseeds.com

Gurney also has heirloom seeds, www.gurneys.com

Social distancing in the garden

We've had a fairly mild winter in Southeast Michigan, this year. I looked back at 2019, and my garden was still frozen, as of March 12.
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.

Our trusty rhubarb shoots have sprung up.
I'm looking forward to rhubarb bars and pie.

6 steps to starting plants 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.

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

Garden is off to a late, but delicious start

It's been an odd year for gardening. Many plants got off to a late start, due to the cool wet spring. I planted beans FOUR times. We planted late, May 25, because we were out of town at the usual mid-May planting time. I think those seeds rotted, due to the continual rain in May and early June. So I planted again, and the same thing happened. Then, I was out of new seeds, so I planted some old seeds from several years ago, and they were duds. I gave up and went back to the store and bought some more seeds and they have sprouted and look like they're going to grow.

On the other hand, the lettuce, Swiss chard and the rest of the greens are coming along very well.
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.

Growing herbs in the kitchen

On the left: Watex Plant Garden Desktop Kitchen Farm

My wonderful daughters bought me the Watex Plant Garden Desktop Kitchen Farm for my birthday present. They know how many times I've burnt dinner, running out to the garden to cut herbs for a meal, haha. But seriously, I have made some "farmer brown" meals, (to quote neighbor Bill), by going to the garden in the middle of preparing dinner. Often I set out to simply pick an herb to add to the meal.

Now, if all goes well, I will have herbs right on my kitchen counter.

The plastic structure has eight slots for the eight planters. There is a hole at the top to pour water into, and my daughters had me pour water in, to see how fast it went through. That was a good idea, because I saw that the water stopped half way up the side of the planter, and then the rest of the water goes through to a tray at the bottom.

My daughters also sent seeds, but after the experiment, I see that the apparatus would not allow water to make it to the top of the planters where the seeds are starting. So I am starting the seeds in the planters, in a tub, and when they have roots, I'll move to the Desktop Kitchen.

I'm not sure how well this will work, but it's tidy, compact and it might keep me from burning dinner.

For more information, visit watexgreenliving.com.

I emailed Watex customer service to ask for instructions, because 

this is all that came with the package.

6 steps to starting garden indoors

It warmed up today, so I'm dreaming about gardening. Our garden is a mix of mush, ice, snow and muck. So I'm thinking about starting 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.

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

Oakland County farmers markets

• Birmingham Farmers Market: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays May 6-Oct. 28 at Public Parking Lot 6, 660 North Old Woodward, Birmingham, www.BirminghamFarmersMarket.org.

• Clarkston Farmers Market: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturdays June 9 to Oct. 13 in the front parking lot at Clarkston Community Education, 6558 Waldon Road, Clarkston, 248-821-4769, clarkstonareafarmersmarket.com.

• Clawson Farmers Market: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays, May 20-Sept. 23, at Clawson City Park 1080 N. Custer Ave., Clawson, 248-435-6500, www.cityofclawson.com.

• Farmington Farmers and Artisans Market: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, May 19-Oct. 27 at Walter E. Sundquist Pavilion in George F. Riley Park, 33113 Grand River Ave. at Grove St., 248-473-7276, ext. 13, www.farmingtonfarmersmarket.com.

• Beaumont Hospital, Farmington Hills Farmers Market is 9:30-11 a.m., Wednesday’s through September at 28050 Grand River Ave., Farmington Hills, www.beaumont.org.

• Franklin Farmers Market on the Green: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays, June 3- Oct. 28 at Franklin Community Park, 32325 Franklin Road, Franklin, 248-672-4565.

• Hazel Park Growers and Makers Market: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays, July 8-Oct. 14 at Green Acres Park near the city’s recreation and community centers at 620 Woodward Heights, SNAP/Bridge Cards, www.facebook.com/hazelparkgrowersandmakersmarket.

• Lathrup Village Farmers Market: 3:30-7 p.m., May 16 to October at 27400 Southfield Road, Lathrup Village, 248-557-2600 ext. 224, www.lathrupvillage.org, WIC, SNAP/Bridge Cards.

• Milford Farmers Market: Thursdays May 10-Oct. 11; 3-7 p.m. May, September and October; 3-8 p.m. June-August, at East Liberty Street between South Main and Union streets in downtown Milford, fresh produce, live music, family activities, milfordfarmersmarket.org, SNAP, Bridge Cards.

• MSU Tollgate Farmers Market: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, May 30 throughout season, at MSU Tollgate Farm and Education Center, 28115 Meadowbrook Road, Novi, 248-347-0269 x229, www.canr.msu.edu/tollgate.

• Fogler’s Orchard & Farm Market: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily at 3979 Rochester Road, near Gunn Road, Oakland Township, 248-652-3614, foglersgreenhouse.com, seasonal produce.

• Oakland County Farmers Market: 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, May to December at 2350 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford Township, 248-858-5495, www.oakgov.com/parks/parksandtrails/farmers-market/Pages/default.aspx, WIC, SNAP, Bridge Cards.

• Rochester Farmers Market, East Third and Water Street, Rochester: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, May 5 - Oct. 27, 248-656-0060, www.downtownrochestermi.com, Bridge Cards accepted.

• Royal Oak Farmers Market: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays, May to December and Saturdays, year-round at 316 E. 11 Mile, open 248-246-3276, www.romi.gov/389/Farmers-Market.

• Beaumont Health & Wellness Center, Coolidge, Onsite Farm Stand is 3-5 p.m. Thursdays through Sept. 28 at 4949 Coolidge Hwy., Royal Oak, www.beaumont.org.

• Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak Farmers Market is 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursdays through Oct. 4 at South Tower Pavilion, 3601 W. 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak, ,www.beaumont.org.

• South Lyon Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays May 5 to Oct. 27 at Pontiac Trail and Liberty Street, downtown South Lyon, 248-437-1735, www.southlyonfarmersmarket.org.

• Troy Farmers Market: 3-7 p.m. Fridays, June 1- Oct. 26 at the Troy Public Library Parking Lot off Big Beaver & Civic Center Roads, fresh and seasonal, local Michigan grown fruits and vegetables, flowers and products, food trucks, musical entertainment and children’s activities, 248-524-1147, www.troymi.gov/farmersmarket.

• Farmers Market at Beaumont Hospital, Troy is 3:30 - 5 p.m., Tuesdays through September at 44201 Dequindre Road, Troy, www.beaumont.org.

• Walled Lake’s Park & Recreation Commission Farmers Market: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays May to October at the Walled Lake City Event Field, 1499 E. West Maple Road Walled Lake, 248-624-4847, www.walledlake.com.

• Henry’s Market on Main at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wednesdays, June 6 to mid-November at 6777 W. Maple Road, in West Bloomfield, 248-325-2060. Fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, seedlings and products such as pesto and salsa, made in Henry’s, the hospital’s café. Henry Ford West Bloomfield chefs will share recipes and free samples of dishes using ingredients grown in the hospital’s greenhouse. The market accepts cash, credit card, S.N.A.P., Project Fresh, www.henryford.com/locations/west-bloomfield/campus/main-street/henrys-market.

Winning the war on weeding

We found the flowers in our rock garden, mostly thanks to my husband, Ken and the weed eater. When times get tough and the weeds are taking over, what else can we do?
Well, there are a few things, with prevention being the easiest.

Here are some ways to reduce weeding or at least make it more fun:
1. Cover it up.  Black plastic or low pile carpet scraps (not Shag, it just doesn't look right). Place cover down where you aren't growing anything, like in walkways and borders around the garden. Black plastic with mulch on top, is good for the walkways. Rototilling between the rows is efficient for keeping the weeds under control, but it needs to be done every three weeks. Weed block or landscaping cloth can help, but it has to be replaced in time. My advice, is don't bother buying the cheap woven kind, the roots of the weeds get stuck, creating more work. There's a bonded type, if you want to spend the money.
2. Mulch to reduce the need to weed. You can use a number of items. I am heading out to the garden this morning to rake water weeds from the pond for mulch. Other materials you can use, to avoid buying expensive bags of mulch include wet newspapers, straw, grass clippings, leaves, aged manure and aged compost. Manure should not be fresh.
3. Hoe hum.  Hoe the little weeds, that are less than once inch and pull the larger weeds. Hoe 3 to 4 inches deep. I really don't like to hoe, so I usually wait until the weeds are big enough to pull.
4. Weeding is Zen. Weed when the soil is moist or water beforehand and wait a few hours. Remember to water after you weed. I take a tool and loosen the soil before pulling weeds. A tool like the hula hoe which looks like a hoop on a stick or the mini rake or a pronged tool can help loosen the soil. You can use a hand trowel to dig up the big weeds. I do my best thinking while weeding.
5. Garden yoga. My friend Mickey told me her trick to weeding includes the three yoga poses of weeding, (no kidding). Bend over and pull. If you do that too many times, you'll feel it for a week. Squat down on your haunches. I can only do this for a few minutes. Kneeling. This works great until you need to move. You can add various yoga poses, like crossing your legs while stretching over to pull weeds, maybe meditate a bit too while you're down there. The main thing is to change positions to prevent continuous repetitive motions.
May your weeds be few and your produce bountiful.

When a tree falls in the garden

I didn't hear the Popple tree fall in our garden. It happened during the night of May 30. The wind had been gusting. It was amazing that there wasn't much damage. If it had hit the house, there would have been broken windows or torn shingles, possibly a hole in the roof. But plants are tough. Our only loss was that we lost most of the branches of two Brussels sprout plants. They were still alive, and ready to recover and carry on. We also lost a few leaves of lettuce and spinach plants.
The clean up took several hours. We spread it over two days. Ken found the cause of the tree's demise when he started sawing logs with his chainsaw. Although it looked healthy from the exterior, carpenter ants had weakened the tree.

Asparagus and rhubarb recipes to start the garden season

Grilled or baked asparagus
Rub olive oil on spears, sprinkle with salt and pepper and bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or grill for 5-10 minutes, depending on temperature and thickness of asparagus.

Freezing asparagus for later
When there's an abundance of asparagus, wash and bake or grill it all. Take out some for dinner and shock the rest in cold water, drain, place in freezer bags and freeze. The whole spears, baked or grilled, have a better consistency than blanched asparagus.

Ham and Swiss, asparagus spirals
Pre-fry asparagus spears in olive oil, then lay on a slice of ham and cheese, dollop with Dijon mustard and roll up with the asparagus in the middle. Slice into spirals 1-1/2 inches wide. Dip in seasoned bread crumbs, insert toothpick to hold each spiral together, and fry in oil.

Cream cheese rhubarb pie
Filling
¼ cup corn starch
1 cup sugar
½ tsp salt
½ cup water
2-1/2 cups rhubarb, cut in ½ inch pieces
(This makes too much. The idea is to have equal parts rhubarb and cheesecake. The extra rhubarb mixture can be used to pour over ice cream, when the pie is gone.)

Topping
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1/2 cup sugar

1 unbaked regular or graham cracker pie crust

In a 1 quart 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 or blueberries with vanilla ice cream.


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.

Morel hunting in Southeast Michigan

Our 2018 morel season yield so far.

The elusive morel has been sighted. It's a little late this year, but it looks like this season will bring an average harvest, barring a sudden weather change.
We've found morels in a lot of places, and my husband who is a certified hunter/gatherer, brings home the fungi. Also we're fortunate that we have great neighbors who don't like morels.
Many people are afraid of picking the poisonous variety, by mistake. This is a valid concern. The main difference is that the true morel has a hollow interior, including the cap and stem and the cap is not separate as in a typical mushroom. If you're new to morel hunting, please do plenty of research and become completely familiar with the fungi. Here's a link for a good start: www.mushroom-appreciation.com/morel-mushroom.html.
I just saw that the Michigan DNR has a hunting guide with map, for finding morels, at www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79136_79237_81034-408642--,00.html
If you'd rather buy morels, that's an option too. I found this retailer, based in Washington state, nwwildfoods.com/product/fresh-frozen-morel-mushrooms/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5oOIqqmU2wIVST2BCh3A1AFHEAQYAiABEgLgzPD_BwE

Planting time comes to Southeast Michigan

It was a long winter and it felt good to get out and feel the sun warming the Earth today, on Earth Day. Today we planted peas, Swiss chard, spinach and onions. We still need to plant lettuce. In 2 weeks, we plan to plant more spinach.

Looking back to 2017, we are planting later this year. Last year, we planted the greens and onions in mid April, (and that was later than normal).

And last year, we planted broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage on April 22.
In Southeast Michigan, it is time, actually past time, to plant peas, potatoes, lettuce, onions, radishes and parsley, and of course the greens: spinach, Swiss chard, kale, etc...
Finding the right seed can be a challenge, especially if you desire organic and non-genetically modified.

There are many different types of seeds available. Not only are there different varieties of the same plant, there are different ways the seeds are produced. There are cultivar (cultivated variety which can be a hybrid or open-pollinated); genetically engineered; genetically modified; open-pollinated; hybrid; heirloom and of course organic. For more information on this, visit www.ezfromseed.org.

Here's some of the top seed and nursery catalog companies:
www.gurneys.com seed and nursery
www.seedsavers.org nonprofit heirloom seeds
www.burpee.com since 1881 seed and nursery
www.jungseed.com since 1907
www.johnscheepers.com since 1908
www.reneesgarden.com

6 steps for growing indoors, when winter won't leave

Since the cold weather has not loosened its grip on Southeast Michigan, I dug up some information for growing plants indoors. Hopefully, it will soon warm up enough that gardeners can work the soil and plant greens seeds outside.
Southeast Michigan is mostly in Plant Hardiness Zone 5 with a few areas in Zone 6. I think our yard is in the colder Zone 4, this year.
While I wait for the ground to thaw out, I've been sprouting Mung beans for my gardening fix.
For information on sprouting, visit organicgardening.about.com/od/vegetablesherbs/a/growingsprouts.htm
or www.verticalveg.org.uk/6-easy-steps-to-sprout-heaven

Here are the indoor growing tips:

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.

For more information, visit Burpee's guide to indoor seed starting

Air plants are fun and easy

Photos by Julia, from Julia's air plant collection.

My boss/friend, Vicki, gave me an air plant recently, and I wasn't quite sure what to do with 
it. So I sat it on the kitchen counter, where everything goes when it is in the transition from arrival to placement.
 After a week passed, I wondered: Is this a live plant and does it require water?

The air plants on my kitchen counter.

Uh, yes, and thanks to Google and my friend, Julia, my air plant is now being watered.

Air plants are little plants that grow without soil. The proper name is Tillandsia, a genus of more than 650 species of evergreen, perennial flowering plants, native to Central and South America, the southern United States and the West Indies, according to Wikipedia.

In those climates, air plants grow outdoors, on trees. They are particularly plentiful on trees that are stressed, because it allows more sunlight on the plants. But according to most reports, the air plants don't kill trees. However, if there are too many, it can create further stress on the tree, and block light for the tree.

From Julia's air plant collection.

Air plants don't require frequent watering. They only need to be soaked for a few hours (or overnight) once a week. Allow the plant to air dry before placing it back in its container, according to Plantstr.
Air plants flower one time, and that's all. (usually between winter and spring), according to Hinterland Trading. Then, the plant will produce little leaves at the base, that grows into a second plant.

From Julia's air plant collection. Photos by Julia.

Fresh apples and pumpkins

Michigan apple orchards are open with fresh apples and cider mills are pressing out the cider as the season kicks into gear.

Apple orchards and cider mills in Oakland County
• Ashton Orchards, 3925 Seymour Lake Road, Ortonville, 248-627-6671 - Apples, cider mill, doughnuts, pies, baked goods, seasonal produce, playground equipment. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday, August through October, then hours vary.

• Diehl’s Orchard & Cider Mill, 1479 Ranch Road, Holly, 248-634-8981, www.diehlsorchard.com - Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, Aug. 15 through Oct. 31. Weekends in November. Apples, cider mill, doughnuts, hayrides and corn maze. A museum wall is coming soon, commemorating more than 60 years of family ownership.

• Erwin Orchards & Cider Mill, 61475 Silver Lake Road, South Lyon, 248-437-0150 erwinorchards.com/wordpress/ - Orchard open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily Aug. 18-Nov. 5. Cider mill is open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hours vary. Already picked and u-pick apples, cider mill, petting zoo, corn maze in season, seasonal produce.

• Fogler’s Orchard & .Farm Market, 3979 Rochester Road, (Rochester and Gunn Road), Rochester Hills, 248-652-3614, foglersgreenhouse.com - Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Oct. 31. Apples, corn, tomatoes, peaches, melons, u-pick raspberries, pumpkins and hay rides. Open now.

• Franklin Cider Mill, 7450 Franklin Road, Bloomfield Hills, 248-626-8261, www.franklincidermill.com-. Cider mill, doughnuts, pies, apples, pumpkins.

• Goodison Cider Mill, 4295 Orion Road, Rochester, 248-652-8450, goodisoncidermill.wordpress.com - Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through November and weekends in December. Cider mill, apples, caramel apples, doughnuts, pies and Pistachio Nut Bread.

• Long Family Orchard Farm & Cider Mill, 1540 East Commerce Road, Commerce Township, 248-360-3774, www.longsorchard.com - Apples, cider and fresh produce. Open noon to 6 p.m. daily through October. U-pick hours vary.

• Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Road, Oakland Township, 248-656-3400,www.paintcreekcidermill.net - Open all year, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Cider mill, doughnuts, ice cream, cafe, by Paint Creek Trail.

• Rochester Cider Mill, 5125 N. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 248-651-4224, www.rochestercidermill.com -Open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, hours vary later in the season. Cider mill, doughnuts, pie, apples, produce.

• Yates Cider Mill, 1990 E. Avon Road, Rochester Hills, 248-651-8300, www.yatescidermill.com - Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and Labor Day, open through November. Cider, apples, ice cream, fudge, Dearborn brand hot dogs and Knackwurst, pony rides, petting zoo, river walk.

Apple orchards and cider mills near Oakland County
• Blake’s Big Apple Orchard, 71485 North Ave., Armada, 586-784-9710 and Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill, 17985 Armada Center Road, Armada, 586-784-5343, www.blakefarms.com.

• Hy’s Cider Mill, 6350 37 Mile Road, Romeo, 810-798-3611, www.hyscidermill.com, 

• Middleton Cider Mill, 46462 Dequindre Road, Utica, 586-731-6699.

• Miller’s Big Red Apple Orchard, 4900 32-Mile Road, Washington Township, 586-752-7888,millersbigred.com, open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

• Historic Parshallville Cider Mill, 8507 Parshallville Road, Fenton, 810-629-9079,www.parshallvillecidergristmill.com. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, through mid November.

• Parmenter’s Northville Cider Mill, 714 Baseline Road, Northville, 248-349-3181,www.northvillecider.com, Cider mill, doughnuts, pies and other food products and wine from the Northville Winery, across the parking lot.

• Porter’s Orchard Farm Market & Cider Mill, 12060 E. Hegel Road, Goodrich, 810-636-7156, portersorchard.com. Open through Dec. 24.

• Spicer Orchards, 10411 Clyde Road, Fenton, 810-632-7692, www.spicerorchards.com. Open through Dec. 31. U-pick and already picked apples, raspberries, and seasonal produce, playground equipment, winery and ice cream.

• Stony Creek Orchard and Cider Mill, 2961 W. 32 Mile Road, Romeo, 586-752-2453, www.stonycreekorchard.com.

• Verellen Orchards, 63260 Van Dyke, Romeo, 586-752-2989, www.verellenorchards.com. Open daily, all year.

• Westview Orchards & Cider Mill, 65075 Van Dyke (M-53), at 30 Mile Road, two miles south of Romeo, 586-752-3123, www.westvieworchards.com.

Easy ways to preserve vegetables and fruits

Whether to can, freeze or dry produce, depends on what it is and how much effort and time a person wants to devote. Freezing is the fastest in prep time. Canning takes longer, but is better for maintaining vegetable or fruit texture. Canning is definitely best for salsa and pickles. Drying might be the easiest, but it has limited use, such as for herbs, mushrooms and fruit.

Easy freezing

It’s easy to freeze vegetables and fruits. Some don't require cooking or blanching. For celery and rhubarb, just wash, chop, bag in serving sizes and freeze. To freeze zucchini for making bread: shred or grate and freeze without blanching. For peppers, just cut out the seeds, wash and let dry, then freeze in bags. The quality and texture is reduced after freezing, but they still have that garden fresh taste when used in cooking.

Apples

To prepare apples, wash, peel and core. Then slice or cut into chunks or quarters. As you prepare apples, dip the cut pieces in a solution of 1 tablespoon each salt and vineqar to 2 quarts of water, to prevent darkening. Drain well, rinse and drain again. Then you can either pack plain, with sugar or with syrup. Leave a ½ inch head space for pint containers and 1 inch for quarts. When using liquid, place a piece of crumpled paper or plastic wrap on top to keep fruit under the liquid. For syrup, mix 1-1/4 cup sugar and 5-1/2 cup water to yield 6 cups of syrup.
When ready to use, thaw fruit in refrigerator or bowl of cool water. If cooking, thaw just enough to separate.

Blueberries
Blueberries can be put in the freezer with very little preparation. Remove stems and bad berries, wash in cold water, drain, pack in freezer bags. Label and freeze.

Blanching 

Most other vegetables and fruits require blanching, which is pretty easy. To blanch vegetables, you need:

* a large porcelain or stainless steel pan with basket strainer and lid, 2/3 full of water

* large bowl in the sink filled with ice water

* colander

* bags or plastic containers and a permanent marker
Bring the water in the saucepan to boiling. Meanwhile, wash and trim the veggies. Place the veggies in boiling water, close lid and time. See chart below for time. Then remove from the pan and drain quickly. Next, place in ice water for the same amount of time as boiled. When the time is up, remove and drain well in a colander. To remove more moisture, place clean towels on the counter and lay the veggies out for a few minutes before bagging in labeled freezer bags and placing in the freezer. Here are blanching and cooling times for vegetables:

Vegetable blanching times - equal time in boiling water, then ice water, (Except for corn on the cob, most vegetables should be blanched 2 to 3 minutes).

Broccoli, 3 minutes
Cabbage, 3 minutes (cut into wedges)
Corn on the cob, 6 to 10 minutes
Green beans, 3 minutes
Peas, 1 to 2 minutes
Swiss chard and other tender greens, 1-1/2 to 2 minutes (avoid matting leaves)
Zucchini slice, blanch 3 minutes

Tomatoes

Tomatoes taste better when sliced in half, and baked or roasted on a cookie sheet, (350 degrees for 30 minutes for large tomatoes). Or you can blanch them for 30 seconds.

Do not freeze too much at one time in your freezer. It could raise the interior temperature. Leave space between packages so air can circulate freely until frozen.

Can if you can

Canning takes some time. It’s more fun when you undergo the canning process with good friends or family, plus it’s less work. You will have the sweet, or sour rewards all winter long, so much better than store-bought. You will thank yourself and your canning buddies. Hot water bath canning (boiling in jars without a pressure cooker) is good for high acid foods, like tomatoes, pickles and relishes. It’s also good for sugary spreads, jams and jellies. You need to buy jars, lids and a big stockpot with wire canning rack. The pan needs to be 3-5 inches deeper than your canning jars. For other foods, like green beans, a pressure canner is needed. For further information, find the Ball Blue Book Guide to Home Canning, Freezing & Dehydration. It is a very good, easy-to-follow reference guide, and costs approximately $10. It is available at freshpreserving.com

For an easy salsa recipe, see my recipe page on the right or visit gardentogarden.blogspot.com/p/recipes.html

6 tips to ease weeding

When the weeds are larger than the intended vegetation, it's time, or past time, to take action. Last summer, my daughter, Elizabeth said, "Mom, I leave some weeds to create shade for the vegetable plants." She is a smart gardener and has professional experience, having managed a farm-to-table garden in Texas and now with her community garden in Missouri. Both of those locations receive a great quantity of sunshine, unlike my more shady Michigan garden, where weeds are not welcome, 

Here are some ways to reduce weeding and ease the chore.

1. Mulch to prevent weeding. You can use a number of items. I am heading out to the garden this weekend to rake water weeds from the pond for mulch. Other materials you can use, to avoid buying expensive bags of mulch include wet newspapers, straw, grass clippings, leaves, aged manure and aged compost. Manure should not be fresh.
2. Cover it up. Place cover down where you aren't growing anything, like in walkways and borders around the garden. We laid strips of old carpet one year. Black plastic with mulch on top, is good for the walkways. Rototilling between the rows is efficient for keeping the weeds under control, but it needs to be done every three weeks. If you use want to use weed block or landscaping cloth, don't bother buying the cheap woven kind, the roots of the weeds get stuck, creating more work. There's a bonded type, if you want to spend the money.
3. Hoe hum. Hoe the little weeds, that are less than once inch and pull the larger weeds. Hoe 3 to 4 inches deep. I really don't like to hoe, so I usually wait until the weeds are big enough to pull.
4. Wear your thinking cap (or a hat that won't fall off). Weed when the soil is moist or water beforehand and wait a few hours. Remember to water after you weed. I take a tool and loosen the soil before pulling weeds. A tool like the hula hoe which looks like a hoop on a stick or the mini rake or a pronged tool can help loosen the soil. You can use a hand trowel to dig up the big weeds. I do my best thinking while weeding.
5. Garden yoga. My friend Mickey told me her trick to weeding includes the three yoga poses of weeding, (no kidding). Bend over and pull. If you do that too many times, you'll feel it for a week. Squat down on your haunches. I can only do this for a few minutes. Kneeling. This works great until you need to move. You can add various yoga poses, like crossing your legs while stretching over to pull weeds, maybe meditate a bit too while you're down there. You can do a leg stretch in between weed pulling as well. The main thing is to change positions to prevent continuous repetitive motions.
6. Back exercise. Here's a quick back exercise that is like the reverse of bending over. If you don't have any health problems preventing it, lean back against a flat wall, press the small of the back against it with feet flat on the ground and hold for a minute or two. Repeat a few times everyday. If you have persistent problems, of course, visit a health professional. They can recommend exercises, or treatment.

Strawberry farms in Southeast Michigan

It's strawberry season in Michigan, but don't blink, it usually only lasts three weeks. Hopefully the storms don't damage the precious berries.

Here's a list of farms in the area that offer fresh strawberries:

• Middleton Berry Farm, 4790 Oakwood Road, Ortonville, 248-831-1004, www.middletonberryfarm.com

• Blake Orchard & Cider Mill,17985 Armada Center Road, Armada, 586-784-5343, blakefarms.com.

• Miller’s Big Red Farms, 4900 32 Mile Road, Washington Township, 586-752-7888, millersbigred.com.

• Verellen Orchards & Cider Mill, 63260 Van Dyke, Washington Township, 586-752-2989, www.verellenorchards.com.

• Westview Orchards, 65075 Van Dyke, Washington Township, 586-752-3123, www.westvieworchards.com.

• Spicer Orchards, 10411 Clyde Road, Fenton, 810-632-7692, www.spicerorchards.com.

It's strawberry season in Southeast Michigan

It's strawberry time in Southeast Michigan. Today marked the official starting date for Middleton Berry Farm U-Pick Farm, of Ortonville. Hours vary due to quantities and weather, so check before driving out. Call (248) 831-1004 or find them on Facebook, Middleton Berry Farm.

Strawberries are $2 per pound. It is recommended to bring your own container and have it weighed before picking, although they have boxes to purchase.
Also, be sure to bring cash or check, because they cannot accept credit cards.
"When the berries are ripe, they will nearly fall off when you pick them," Stacy Janiga said
She and her sister Carrie Janiga, the owners, recommend washing the berries with the stem on, this prevents water from getting inside the berries, which loses the flavor.

Middleton Berry Farm
Address: 4790 Oakwood Rd, Ortonville, MI 48462
Phone: (248) 831-1004
Directions: Go five miles east of Ortonville Road between M-15 and M-24. From I-75 take Exit 84 (Baldwin Road). Go north on Baldwin Road 10 miles to Oakwood Road, turn left. Farm is one mile on the left.
Website: www.middletonberryfarm.com