Gardening!

[Susan Maslowski]

I know that several members of the Covered Bridge Garden Club read this board and I've been told they will soon be making a trip to Capitol Market to look at plants and have lunch at SOHO.

I've discovered a new vendor at the market who is knowledgable, interesting, and has affordable plants, most of which are indigenous to our region. After AEP cut down all of the trees in my yard, I decided to find something that will offer a little shade and privacy and uniqueness to the landscape.

I consulted with the owner of Plants & Gnome, Chris Higgins, whom I found to be very helpful. I have had 2 male kiwi's die out, and was happy to see that Chris had them for sale. They were cheaper than any mail-order catalogue and I didn't have to pay for shipping. My husband added another fig tree to our collection.

Higgins is an interesting fellow. He is British and met his wife, a Glenville native, while both were working in Ireland. Higgins worked for Terra Salis and has nurseries in both Glenville and Charleston. He has disease resistant fruit trees, fringe trees (Chinese and American), bottle brush bushes, magnolias, red flowering buckeye trees, shaggy bark maples, ginkos, etc. He seems to specialize in trees, but has other plants, too.

Most of his sales are via the Internet. http://www.plantandgnome.com/about_us.htm

But, I definitely recommend a visit at the market if you are in Charleston. His booth is near the end by SOHO restaurant. Tracy...you would love it!

[Orchard St Wildwoman]

I love SOHO's (: Their tiramisu is amazing.

[Susan Maslowski]

The Putnam Co. Farmer's Market is open again.

Tuesday and Thursday: 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to Noon

It is located in the grassy area at Valley Park behind the former Museum in the Community.

They are still looking for crafters/vendors. The cost to join is $25. Each time you set up a booth it is $5. There are certain Health Dept. and Dept of Agriculture regulations, but you can get info from the director if you go to the market. Only people living within a 50 mi. radius can sell goods there. Last yr., there were several gardeners from Milton who sold items at the market, so go support them! You can get fresh eggs, ground beef (no steroids), homemade bread, bedding plants, and fresh vegetables, etc.

Also...I learned the Putnam Co. Parks and Recreation Board has purchased the Museum Building from the Putnam Co. Bank for $1.5 million. The building has basically been empty for a few years, with exception of a church meeting there. The Park Board hasn't decided what to do with the building yet, but have discussed offering classes, exhibits, and mini-Tamarack. I wish them well. It is a beautiful building, if it hasn't deteriorated too much. Hopefully, whatever is offered will compliment the market and park. Not much could be done with the building after the Museum defaulted on payments, because it sat on park land. It was a very strange business arrangement. I was surprised the bank loaned money to the museum for a building that was to be built on land they didn't own. It really was a white elephant, so I am glad to see Jack Wilson from the bank made the park a deal and I hope they have vision and can develop the facility into an area attraction.

Go out and support our local growers.......

[Susan Maslowski]

The Putnam Farmer's Market will kick off the summer growing season on Tuesday, July 20 from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at their location behind the former Museum in the Community at Valley Park in Hurricane.

In addition to the 30 regular vendors, Tuesday's celebration will include a hog roast, cooking demonstrations with guest chefs, samples of locally grown produce, fruit and meat. There will also be live music and other craft demonstrations.

I spoke with the market manager who says there will be meats and eggs and baked goods made with local ingredients.

The market accepts Senior Citizen vouchers, which OSW has posted in another section, plus...WIC Farmer's Market vouchers.

You can check out the Putnam County, WV Farmers Market on Facebook, or call Putnam Co. Extension Agent Chuck Talbott at 304-586-0217 for additional information.

This looks like a nice event. Get out and support our local gardeners and farmers!!!!!!!!