It’s hard to believe it’s already April! This Saturday (April 1) at the Lodestar Gardens Winter (Spring now, I guess) Farmers’ Market, our own Barbara and Clark Hockabout and master ceramics instructor, RA, will be presenting about homemade garden supplements. The market begins at 11 a.m., with the presentation starting at 12 noon.

Please call (928) 587-1660 or e-mail bhockabout@gmail.com for a map and directions if you haven’t made a visit to Lodestar.

Two years ago, RA brought a book to our attention which described the ancient Asian practice of fermentation to promote soil fertility. It is part of a system called “natural farming.” RA experimented with the process and brought his findings to the Lodestar Co-Op.

Lodestar is experimenting with this process on the outside gardens this year, as it was so successful in the high tunnel where it was first placed. One of our primary goals is to create our own soil amendments without importing material from other areas for the purposes of:

• Soil amendment accountability
• Cost savings

It is one more way to close the sustainable living loop. We will share what we have learned with you during our noontime presentation.

As always, this Saturday enjoy free space for vendors, free hot beverages, free farm tours, and delicious homemade lunch for just $2 (soup, salad and Clark’s ancient grain bread).

This weekend we welcome back Blossom Farms as our featured vendor. Gary Hull will be selling his tomato and bell pepper starts ($1.50/plant), as well as Chinese Lettuce starts ($1/plant) and organic eggs ($3/dozen).

Marilyn Bell will also be in attendance with her herb plants – a great opportunity to trade or buy!

We will have our Spring Greens packages for sale ($3 for 1/2 lb; $6 for 1 lb.), as well as Kale and Swiss Chard. We have carrots ($3/lb.), both stored and fresh beets and rutabagas ($3/lb.), dried lavender ($2), fennel seeds ($1), parsley ($1) and our homemade, 8oz. jars of pesto (walnut $8, pine nut $10, non-dairy $12). All of our packaging is eco-friendly made of cellulous, reusable, recyclable (and compostable) bags.

Donna Daniel’s wonderful, handmade fiber arts will be available in a variety of sizes and prices, along with Monte Cunningham’s accupressure treatment tools and several other products from local artist and vendors.

Also for sale will be goat’s milk soap from Misty Mountain Milkers ($6/bar or 2 for $10), a variety of soaps from Flagstaff Soap ($6/bar or 2 for $10) and some wonderful handmade chalkboards (crafted out of recycled cabinets) by Bernie!

See you on Saturday!