Eat Local: Farmers Markets in Muskoka

It's summer and there is no easier time to eat locally in Ontario!

Here in Muskoka we're lucky to have some amazing food producers.

I wrote last year about the benefits of eating locally. There are usually less pesticides, less packaging, and less distance to travel to deliver (= less burned fossil fuels). David Suzuki recently published an article called: Small farms may be better for food security and biodiversity. In it he concludes that "we need to grow food in ways that make feeding people a bigger priority than generating profits for large agribusiness." Below are some folks you can support in order to get involved in our local food scene right here in Muskoka.

Our favourite producers continue to produce healthy, fresh, delicious, and nutricious food that we can get nearby:

Muskoka Meats & 100 Mile Store

Brooklands Farm (fruit & veggies)
Lavender Hills Farm (honey products, candles, & cosmetics)
Ivanita Farm and Meats
Muskoka Brewery
Lake of Bays Brewing Co.
Any many, many more. Too many to list here...but Savour Muskoka has a very comprehensive list.

Of course, the local markets play an important role in the distribution of the wonderful food and locally produced wares. Be sure to check them out!


Bracebridge Farmers Market
When? Saturdays, 8:30 am – 1 pm, Victoria Day Weekend to Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend
Where? Memorial Park, Manitoba Street, Bracebridge (beside Norwood Theatre)
More Info: http://www.thebracebridgefarmersmarket.com/


Rosseau Farmers Market
When? Fridays, 9 am – 2 pm, July 1 – Sept 2
Where? Waterfront on Lake Rosseau at the end of Short Street
More Info: http://www.rosseaumarket.com/



Huntsville Farmers Market
When? Thursdays, 9 am – 2 pm, Victoria Day Weekend to Halloween
Where? Canadian Tire Parking Lot, 77 King William St
More Info: http://buyfromthefarm.ca/farmers-market/huntsville-farmers-market


Rivermill Park Farmers Market (Huntsville)
When? Saturday's 9am-1pm starting July 2nd
Where? Rivermill Park
More Info: http://www.rivermillmarket.com/#SlideFrame_2


Port Carling Farmers Market (new this year!)

When? Thursdays, 9 am – 2 pm, June 30 to September 1, 2011

Where? Hanna Park, Port Carling

More Info: http://www.portcarlingfarmersmarket.com/

Gravenhurst Farmers Market
When? Every Wednesday 9am - 2pm, 18th May 2011 - 5th October 2011
Where? In the special events field at Muskoka Wharf (across the road from Boston Pizza)
More Info: http://www.gravenhurstfarmersmarket.com/
Carling Farmers Market (District of Parry Sound)
When? Saturdays, 8 am – 1 pm, last Saturday in June – Labour Day Weekend
Where? Carling Recreation Hall, Carling, Ontario

Enjoy the succulent strawberries that are now ripe for picking at Brooklands Farm and Taylor Farms!!

Composting 101

Get a high quality soil conditioner to improve your garden!

Reduce household waste by up to one third!

COMPOST!!

May 1-7 is International Composting Awareness Week!

What is compost?

According to the Compast Council of Canada, composting is a natural biological process, carried out under controlled conditions, which converts organic material into a stable humus-like product called compost. During the composting process, various microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, break down organic material into simpler substances. Composting is an aerobic process, meaning that the microorganisms require oxygen to do their work.

Benefits of Composting:

*Compost helps to maintain a healthy soil pH so that plants grow better

*Compost helps plants cope with stresses from drought and frosty temperatures

*Compost helps improve texture of soil

*Compost helps increase a sandy soil's moisture holding capacity
*Compost keeps earthworms content so that they can go about their work of aerating the soil

*Compost is a great source of plant nutrients

A special nod to coffee:

Coffee grounds fit the standards set by gardeners for compost materials. The grounds, when mixed with soil, release nutrients that make the ground richer and more acidic. Plants that flourish in acidic soil will be healthier since they can get the needed nourishment from the ground. If you have a good supply of coffee grounds, just spread them evenly in your garden. Your plants will reward you by producing robust blooms.

*New for Muskoka: Visit Oliver's Coffee (Bracebridge, Port Carling, or Bala) for your free bucket of grounds.

Worried about wildlife?

*Don't compost food scraps. Use a worm bin (i.e. vermicomposting) indoors instead. Or bury your food scraps directly in the garden, about a foot below the soil's surface.

*Make sure your compost pile doesn't smell. Strong odors attract pests. Odors in a compost pile are the result of anaerobic activity, which means your pile is compacted or too wet and air can't reach all of the materials. Be sure to turn it regularly to avoid this problem.

Not a gardener?

If you can't use the compost in your garden, you can still compost! Most communities in Muskoka offer curbside compost pick-up. If you just can't generate enough compost, some towns offer days where compost material is available for pick-up for use in your garden.

Want to know more?

Compost Coucil of Canada

Peterborough Green-Up Fact Sheets: a whole series on composting!!

Environment Canada: Composting Tips

District of Muskoka: kitchen organics

District of Muskoka: backyard composting

Green Action Centre (Manitoba) has some good information

How to Compost

Muskoka's Native Plants

Spring is here - and so is the Muskoka Heritage Foundation Annual Native Tree & Shrub Sale!

Wild Columbine Aquilegia canadensis

This flowering plant is drought tolerant and likes sand or loam soil types with partial or full sun- and it's so pretty! It attracts birds, hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies which makes it useful in the oh-so-important pollination.

Staghorn sumach Rhus typhina

Spectacular red, edible, and showy seeds on this shrub. It likes clay, sand, and loam soils, partial or full sun, and normal to dry moisture.

Butterfly weed Asclespias tuberosa This red/orange flowering plant attracts pollinators and is also drought resistant.

Bear berry Artostaphylos uva-ursi This native ground cover is suitable for your shoreline restoration projects, in the riparian area. it is drought and salt resistant. It also attracts pollinators and adds a splash of colour to your garden!

I wrote last spring about why native plants are important for your gardening projects. Who can resist a garden that is colourful, disease and pest resistant, low maintenance, and provide habitat for wildlife? It just makes good sense!

WHAT YOU SHOULD CONSIDER WHEN PLANNING YOUR GARDEN THIS SPRING:

• Duplicate natural growing conditions


• Consider soil type, moisture, sunlight, wind


• Take clues from what is already growing

WANT TO KNOW MORE?:

• More tips on starting your own native plant garden


• Tips for choosing native species: wildflowers, trees, & shrubs


• Not sure if it's a native species? check the native plant database


• Problems with deer? Check out these deer resistant gardening techniques


• Need planting tips? Check out this information sheet

ORDER PLANTS:

• Orders must be placed by May 9th (email form or call in)


• Pick up your order in Huntsville, Bracebridge, or Bala on May 14, 2011


• Special workshops and information available at Bracebridge location

Happy Gardening!