What’s at the market – May
The West Allis Farmers Market is officially open for the season! Even though the growing season is just beginning, the market is alive with the flowers, fresh herbs, early vegetables, and artisanal goods that mark a Wisconsin May.
When you come to the market, you will likely first notice that there are lots of flowers everywhere! Bright and colorful hanging baskets, potted plants, and flower starters fill the market aisles in May. While it is too cold for many vegetables to be grown and harvested, the farmers that bring their flowers are able to do so because they are grown in greenhouses, hoophouses, or some other climate-controlled manner.
If you’re looking to purchase flowers you can put in your own yard, Sharon Kiesow of Flower Petals Farm notes that petunias should be good to go. She also suggests nemesia, one of her favorite flowers available in May and her personal recommendation for a great Mother’s Day gift idea. Nemesia weather the chilly temperatures well and will still bloom fully. Any hanging baskets you purchase from the farmers are likely hardy enough to do well outside, but it is recommended to bring them inside if the temperature will drop below freezing at night (not uncommon in Wisconsin in May!).
As for produce, the typical May vegetables include asparagus, rhubarb, and green garlic, with spinach and radishes usually available later in the month. Jerry Wagner, the farmer behind Jerry’s Produce, notes that the season is getting off to a slower start than usual, thanks in part to some late freezes, most recently the night of May 1 (the night before opening day at the market). Asparagus cannot be harvested until at least 5 days after an overnight freeze, for example, so the unexpected drops in temperature can have an impact on what veggies are available, and when.
That said, Jerry still has a wide selection of perennial flowers, and plenty of herb and vegetable starters that he’s grown indoors. Most herbs can survive outside at this point in the year and now is a good time to get your starters if you hope to grow herbs of your own. Always do your research, though, to make sure it is warm enough to place your herbs outside. Let them share the warmth of your home with you in the meantime.
Speaking of growing indoors, Adam Fritsch has a wide variety of greens available for purchase at the market, already. This is because his entire farm is located inside his home. As a micro-greens farmer, Adam is not restricted by the temperatures. He has experimented with growing a wide variety of micro-greens and will always have multiple options to share at the market, year-round. His favorites include sunflower greens, wasabi, radishes, and kale.
Many of the artisanal vendors at the market are similarly not restricted by the temperature. Mike Brzycki of Soap Passion typically carries the same candles and soaps year-round. Additionally, Mike makes pickles and jams, sourcing his produce from other farmers at the market, as well as the fruit trees on his own property. While some of the specifics may vary depending on the season (check out his highly anticipated pawpaw jams in autumn), he will always have a full stock of jams and pickles available for purchase, regardless of the month or temperature.
Similarly, Shanon Stich of Buzzshack Apiaries will have wildflower honey available to sell, regardless of the season. The type of pollen used to make the honey may vary depending on the season. For example, she will have elderberry honey available in August once the elderberries are blooming. However, even in May, there are plenty of wildflowers in bloom, so the bees are producing honey. Having a perpetual supply of wildflower honey allows Shannon to prepare any number of infused-honey flavors each week - this week featured hot habanero-infused honey, bourbon-infused honey, and lemon-infused creamed honey.
Lastly, our prepared food vendors and food trucks will always have food available for you to enjoy. Cassie Vannucci of Cassie’s Cakes MKE has a number of delicious, sweet treats available for purchase, although even these see some seasonal variety. During the month of May, Cassie will feature lemon brownies, coconut macaroon bars, and strawberry shortcake cookies.
So, while the market is not yet full of vendors selling tomatoes, corn, or pumpkins, you can still stock up on nemesia flowers, rhubarb plants, radish microgreens, whey soap, bourbon-infused honey, strawberry shortcake cookies, and so much more. We hope to see you at the West Allis Farmers Market soon!