A new level has been reached at the Homer Farmers’ Market.  I know it’s hard to believe, but the Market can get even better.

Every week I keep a tally of the veggies coming in, so that we can track the seasonality of the produce at the Market. How early can we get carrots? How late can we have romaine? Over the years our local farmers have gotten more skilled at bringing in more varieties earlier and later.

Last weekend a new milestone was reached: corn. Yes, even that Midwestern specialty can grow here in our high tunnels, and Christina from Snowshoe Hollow had some for sale.  

The last few weeks have shown that between the heat of this summer and high tunnels or greenhouses, we are getting some amazing produce. We have even seen artichokes and pumpkins since the beginning of August.  

These fresh veggies are like a dream. Paul and Jen from Willgrow Farm have beautiful, plump fennel bulbs of a variety carefully selected to make sure they don’t bolt. Dan and Luba have their many varieties of potatoes dug so new that their soft skins just flake off.

And the variety of veggies available is only rivaled by the quantity of veggies available. 

Get ready to make some pesto; Jon and Lynn have so much basil at their booth that they don’t know what to do with it all. Matthew Roberts is manning a booth for his grandfather and doing his best to give a great deal on huge heads of cabbage and kohlrabi. One look at all his bins of cabbage had me calling Jen Dickson who makes great sauerkraut (and will be leading a Chef at the Market demonstration this weekend). 

And don’t forget to keep an eye out for those interesting specialties that come up throughout the season like Bob’s “strawberry spinach” due to debut at this weekend’s Market.  Not only does it have leaves you can eat, it has sweet “berries” too.

Come on down to the Farmers’ Market this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or Wednesday from 3 to 6 p.m. and take full advantage of what this summer has to offer.

Kyra Wagner is the director of Sustainable Homer and the Homer Farmers’ Market’s biggest fan.