Athens Locally Grown

How to contact us:
Our Website: athens.locallygrown.net
On Twitter: @athlocallygrown
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/athenslocallygrown
On Thursdays: Here’s a map.

Market News

There’s not much I can say about all this rain. It’s good to get it in the water table, but it’s just been wet for so long now, I nearly forget what solid ground feels like. It’s really hard on the growers and gardeners, too, who are working hard to get summer plants in the ground right now. Our clay soil works against us here. A bit of clay in nice, rich soil is a good thing, as it holds moisture when things get dry. However, if there’s too much clay (and we’re famous for our red clay) and the ground is wet, then trying to till or otherwise prepare beds for planting works the clay exactly like a potter or brickmaker. Then, when things do dry out again, that clay layer gets super hard and can keep anything from passing through — roots, worms, sprouting seeds stuck underneath. It’s a real problem, and it’s easy to get caught between gardens that are too wet and not enough time remaining to get all the work done, especially if you’re a home gardener who can only get a few hours here and there to get things in.

It does look like we’ll have a few dry days again this week, maybe, before the rains come back in time for the weekend. I’m hoping to have my rice paddies ready by then. I’ve got my hands on some Carolina Gold rice, and I think this’ll be the perfect year to plant it.

Thanks so much for your support of Athens Locally Grown, all of our growers, local food, and our rights to eat it. You all are part of what makes Athens such a great area in which to live. We’ll see you on Thursday at Ben’s Bikes at the corner of Pope and Broad Streets from 4:30 to 8pm!

Other Area Farmers Markets

The Athens Farmers Market is open on Saturdays at Bishop Park and Wednesday afternoons downtown at Creature Comforts. You can catch the news on their website. The Comer Farmers Market is open in downtown Comer on Saturday mornings. The Oconee County farmers market is open Saturday mornings in front of the Oconee County Courthouse in Watkinsville. The Shields Ethridge Cultivator Market is held monthly in Jefferson. The other area markets are all still closed for the season, I believe. If you know of any markets operating, please let me know.

All of these other markets are separate from ALG (including the Athens Farmers Market) but many growers sell at multiple markets. Please support your local farmers and food producers, where ever you’re able to do so!

We thank you for your interest and support of our efforts to bring you the healthiest, the freshest and the most delicious locally-produced foods possible!