It looks as though it may really be coming spring, when a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of…

the local Farmers’ Market, of course!
(with apologies to Alfred Lord Tennyson)

For some time, the Market Managers have been pondering this question: How can we get the young man’s fancy lightly to turn to Manchester Locally Grown market? (as well as that of the older man, and all the ladies out there too!)

We have put together a short survey. Our thinking is that if we know where our current customers first heard of us, that might give us an idea of where our advertising dollar is best spent. And if we know some of the good things and not-so-good things about our market, from our customers’ perspective, we should be able to make the necessary improvements to help our market grow into the best farmers’ market ever!

So please help us out. Please send us your thoughts by completing the short survey you will find here:
Manchester Locally Grown customer survey
In return, we will enter your name (if you choose to identify yourself) into a drawing for a $25 market gift certificate.

In addition, please tell your friends, neighbors, co-workers – sure, even your enemies! – about our market. When one of them makes a purchase and tells us you sent them, you will be entered into the drawing a second time. There is no limit to how many entries you can earn this way.

So complete the survey, tell your friends, and start planning how to spend the $25 certificate when you win the drawing! (Entry deadline is April 15.)

From Dogwood Valley Greenhouse:

Dogwood Valley Greenhouse is beginning to look a lot like spring! All of the previous list are still in bloom, including Catchfly, Creeping Phlox for sunny areas (most colors, now), Primrose, Pulmonaria, and variegated Vinca. In addition, several more varieties are beginning to bloom, including the woodland Phlox stolonifera, variegated Jacob’s ladder, and variegated Solomon’s Seal. Also the herb plants are getting bigger by the day: Cat Mint, Greek Oregano, Peppermint, Salad Burnet, Chocolate Mint, Orange Mint, and others. Lamb’s Ear, all the Sedums, and Valerian (Garden Heliotrope) are growing like crazy and would love to do so in your garden. Just coming into bloom are my one gallon Flowering Almond bushes, and I still have just one of the large ones in a three gallon pot. The very earliest of the one-gallon azaleas is beginning to bloom as well. And the Euonymous (burning bushes) are beginning to leaf out. The first ferns, Ostrich, are also growing vigorously, although the other ferns will wait a while to get started. Don’t forget our beautiful houseplants (a selection of potted ones and some really nice Wandering Jew hanging baskets).

It’s a good time to put in your spring plant order, so you will find the selection of perennials that you want. If there is anything specific you’d like for your spring garden, please let me know so I can be on the lookout for you. But remember: only trees, shrubs, and perennials should be planted this early. Please don’t plant summer vegetables or annuals till after May 1, when the ground is warm enough to encourage their growth.

Hello from Kountry Vittles. I usually fill the newsletter with teases of my tasty treats, but this time I thought I would tell you a little about Kountry Vittles.

Kountry Vittles is owned and operated by me, Molly Cornelison. I was a Federal Food Inspector in the military (I’m picky about my cleanliness and my food quality). I’ve taken numerous nutrition courses (I needed to learn a lot, considering I am the mother of a special dietary needs daughter). And I’m an all-around old-fashioned style cook, which means I like things made the way my grandparents and parents used to do it. My thinking is I prefer to enjoy my food, not eat preservatives from a box. All my pies and goodies are made the old-fashioned way with real ingredients.

A few years ago, I owned and operated a “meat & three” restaurant in Manchester that some of you many remember. It stayed open for two years and, well, I had a few personal issues and had to close down. I have continued to offer my cakes, pies, and goodies along with my plate lunch meals that I deliver daily, locally. This is how I make a living solely for my family. My husband was hurt a year ago, and therefore I provide the sole income for my family. It’s a struggle, but God sees me through. I truly enjoy what I do and firmly believe it is a God-given talent. I hope everyone enjoys the delicious treats I offer as well.

It was recently mentioned that folks might like smaller portions, such as cakes and pies by the slice. I am currently working on a way to provide you a couple of selections each week, so stay tuned. If there is something particular you may be interested in, please let our Market Manager know, and she will be sure to pass along the message to me. Thank you, and have a blessed and wonderful week, everyone.

(Clockwise from upper left): Country Cherry Pie; Pineapple Upside Down Cheesecake Cake; Fudgy Fudge Pie; Ole Fashioned Carrot Cake.

(L to R, top): Phlox stolonifera (for shade), small Euonymous (“burning bush”), cat mint.
(L to R, bottom): Yellow creeping sedum, garden valerian, and white azalea streaked with pink.