Well, spring is here and hunting and trapping season has begun. I’m talking slugs here – not mammals. I think April very well may be the official “month of the slug.” They ruined so many of my vegetable starts last year that I have vowed to take revenge and therefore am on the lookout for any shiny, slimy trails leading to foliage. Strike up a conversation with just about anyone, farmer or no, and you’ll get an earful of ideas to trap these pests. I think the old “beer in a bucket” trap is an ethical way to get rid of them. Parting with an occasional bit of brew isn’t as hard as it seems. Isn’t it ironic that we are both attracted to beer? I mean, hey, you’re really living in the Northwest when you are sharing a beer with a slug! My four-and-a-half year old son, who cannot appreciate this, resorts to slicing them up with his trowel. Gruesome but effective and on that note I’ll move right along to more important matters like the Kingston Farmer’s Market opening day.
We’ve decided to move the official date for opening the market to May 2 this year, continuing to coordinate with Stillwaters and their environmental event, Ecofest. Usually this has been in April but this year, due to other circumstances, they have decided to bump it back a couple of weeks. This is actually good news for our farm vendors as it’ll give them a couple more weeks for their produce to grow. I’ll never forget our opening day last year: white flakes falling from the sky and a handful of vendors making the best of it. There was actually an impressive selection to choose from that day. This year, as usual, I am banking on warmer weather and so far things aren’t going my way (as I’m writing this it is snowing!) If the weather does decide to cooperate you will likely see over-wintered vegetables on opening day such as leeks, carrots and beets. Radishes and greens may show up as well. Nursery plants will also be available, so take a look around your garden and see what needs replacing or brightening up. Between the sheep getting out and my sister-in-law’s dog racing through my ornamental beds, I know I’ll be looking to fill a few spots.
If you enjoyed the Kitsap Regional Library’s “Storytime” last year, you’ll be glad to know they will be joining us once again. They are currently working on staffing so they can be sure to begin no later than May 15, Also, our market manager, Clint Dudley, is working on lining up some great, live entertainment. At our last board meeting we had a scare when he announced that Cesar Medel, the fabulous flamenco-style, classical guitarist was heading back to Spain. He has since changed his plans and we are fortunate to have him back once again.
Be sure and mark your calendars for May 2 and we’ll see you there.
Contributed by Pam Buitenveld.
