by Rex Coker

Created on: May 20, 2009   Last Updated: July 14, 2009

A simple stroll through the local farmer's market can be an enlightening experience if you know what your looking for. Whether it is in season or not when you get there, most produce comes onto the market in different intervals. Berries and vine fruits such as tomatoes and strawberries can usually be found in the early spring through the first parts of summer. Melons like watermelon and cantaloupe come in around mid-summer, before the fourth of July. Most all beans and peas are grown during the summer months and it can be beneficial to anyone that loves to can their food for the winter months.

Raw peanuts and other green vegetables can grow up until the late summer months, depending on what part of the country you live in; a treat for anyone that likes to have fresh, tasty produce on their table. Potatoes, yams and turnips grow into the fall months and serve up a tasty meal for any vegetable lover. Collard greens, new potatoes and late asparagus can be found in the farmer's market during the early fall months as well.

Apples and pears are a commonly grown fruit that is grown locally and can be purchased early spring through the summer. Most farmers that run the booths can tell you when to expect certain types of produce to come in. Many locals already know, but newcomers to the area may have difficulty making such determinations as to what fruits and vegetables come into season at what time of the year. The best way to know these things about the farmer's market cycle is to ask the people that run the booths in the establishment.

A quick search on the Internet can give you much information on seasonal vegetables and fruits. These sites give the consumer a heads-up on the best times to buy the produce they need, without the aggravation of being too early or to late to buy them. Many of the market stalls provide fruits and vegetable recipes at their booths. Vinegar salads that have cucumber and onion with tomato in them are a cool way of taking the edge off a hot day in the market place. Many stall owners make homemade strawberry ice cream and strawberry short cakes to add to your pleasure and palate. The best by far if you live in the deep south is the different aromas of things cooking at the market. Boiled peanuts or roasted, along with cut watermelon will not only have you leaving tired but full as well.

Farmer's markets have the festival feel and smells that make you want to go back more often. People are friendly and go out of their way to make sure you get the best advice and produce. Most of all they can let you know during what season specific produce will become available. This along with growing vegetables in green houses have helped many farmer's markets offer more to the general public in the availability of off-season produce. Many of these can be found year round without having to wait for a particular season.

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