Tag Archives: plants

Blue Skies and Warm Weather bring out New Customers to Farmers Market

Never mind that one week ago, we had snow and ice on the ground. Saturday, it was sunshine and pleasant temperatures at the market. We even spotted a few folks dressed in t-shirts and shorts happily strolling around the market. It was a good day to grab great fresh food. Colorful carrots, apples and squash were plentiful, along with tender fresh lettuce.

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Fresh Carrots from Norton Family Farm

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Just picked kale from Kirkview Farm

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Squash and carrots from Kirkview Farm

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Fresh eggs from Moonshadow Farm

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Homemade soups from Lucy’s Kitchen

Lots of dairy goods and sweet treats too, such as cookies, pies and muffins were being snatched up and not all of it was making it out of the market. We spied some of you happily munching away while you walked around.

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Home baked cookies from Dozen

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Fresh made hummus from Hummus Chick

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A young shopper with her basket

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Handcrafted Jewelry from Rockin’ Robbin Ranch Design

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Antler dinnerware from Antlers

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Maple Pecan Bars from Flying S Farm

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Farm made goat soap from Totty’s Bend Farm and Dairy

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Barwood Signs from Tom the Furniture Guy

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Nursery Plants from Earth Advocates Research Farm

And what is it about sunshine and warmer temperatures that make us want to fire up the grill? There seemed to be quite a few of you walking out of the market with steaks or hamburger to grill out. The official first day of spring is just 10 days away and we’re ready for the greening of trees and lawns, along with the beauty of spring flowers. Everybody got a little tease of spring at the market, with early blooming plants with bright flowers. All in all, we have to say it really was the perfect sunny day at the market!

With warmer temperatures and sunshine comes the urge to start digging in the dirt. You know what we’re talking about. It’s time to get gardens in shape and start growing. And while gardens can take a lot of work, it’s a great place for kids to learn a lot. Things like where food really comes from or why ladybugs are super heroes in a garden. With classes like the Poop Pot Project and Doing the Worm Wiggle, kids can learn a lot in the market’s Growing Kids Educational Garden this spring. It’s a fun, hands-on way to learn about the environment, nutrition and how things grow. The free classes at the garden begin on April 22nd and are designed for kids pre-k through 3rd grade. Registration for April and May classes begins today. Get more info about the Growing Kids garden and download registration forms by clicking here. Learn to Grow – Grow to Learn!

Want to see more pictures from this past Saturday’s market?  Just click here.

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Farm ground cornmeal from Beaverdam Creek Farm

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Fresh made granola

New Fall Events Coming to Farmers Market

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Norton Family Farm Fresh Carrots

Fall is definitely in the air. At the market this past Saturday, it was a bit cool with a light breeze, making it the perfect morning to stroll around with a warm doughnut and a cup of hot coffee from Ellie’s Doughnuts.

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Flying S Farm White Chocolate Friendship Bread

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Pumplin Rolls sell out fast from Norton Family Farm

Other signs of fall at the market too, like the first appearance of winter squash, more root veggies, apple cider…

…and lots of pumpkins.

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A Pumpkin Helper

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Cinderella Pumpkins

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King Farm Pumpkins Invade the FFM

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Small Pumpkins for young visitors

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King Farm Flat Bed Trailer Filled with Pumpkins of all colors and sizes

But the thing that tells us that fall is really here is the big question we’re asked every year – When do you close down for winter? The answer is, we don’t. The Franklin Farmers Market goes on year-round. Surprised? You’re not alone. A lot of folks wonder how a farmers market that’s dedicated to food from local farms can be open during the winter. In Tennessee, our winters are a bit milder and that allows farmers to extend their warm weather crops a little longer.

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Beautiful Tomatoes still in good supply

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Beaverdam Creek Farm Fall Eggplant

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Trish holding a CSA from Beaverdam Creek Farm

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Bloomsbury Farm Wheat Grass and Beets

And a number of farmers now use “tunnels” which consists of metal frames with plastic stretch over them. The plants are in the garden patch like they normally would be but the protection of the tunnel keeps frost from killing the plants. And finally, there are quite a few vegetables that prefer to grow in cool weather, like broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage or carrots and potatoes.  The winter season for the Franklin Farmers Market begins in November.

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Fall Mums and Custom Baskets from Bloomin’ Baskets

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Fresh Jams and Preserves from Jones Mill Farms

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Brenda of Moonshadow Farm hosting Kenny of Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese

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Pilgrims Produce with their fall produce selection

Meat lovers, rejoice! Next Saturday, October 5th is the Day of the Grill at the market with samples of tender beef, pork, chicken and lamb from our Tennessee meat farms at the market. Enjoy tasty bites of meat from Triple L Ranch, Bear Creek Farm, West Wind Farm, Peaceful Pastures, River Cottage Farm and Beaverdam Creek Farm.  Chef Jeff Lunsford will use his talents on the grill to prepare the delicious samples.  Chef Jeff is a grill expert extraordinaire from The Hearth and Grill Shop. The Hearth and Grill Shop is locally owned and has been Middle Tennessee’s favorite spot for top-notch grills for over 40 years. This is your chance to enjoy mouthwatering samples of meat grilled to perfection on a Big Green Egg Smoker & Grill, which considered by many to be the best grill ever made. Don’t miss it… next Saturday, the Day of the Grill at the Franklin Farmers Market!

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Persimmons bring a smile to Lauren of Bloomsbury Farm

Giant smiling pumpkins and tiny little scarecrows were spotted at the market this past Saturday and they were all pointing to one thing… The Invasion of the Scarecrows is coming soon with lots of fun for the family. How about a kids pumpkin patch, funny face painting and a pumpkin decoration booth? And the best part is it’s free. It’s happening on October 19th  – The Invasion of the Scarecrows at the Franklin Farmers Market.  Presented by our good friends at Williamson Medical Center.

Visit our Photo Gallery to view pictures from this past Saturday’s Market and all Saturday Markets since May of this year.