FARMERS MARKETS IN AND AROUND TOWN

By Collin Kelley and Kathy Dean

Farmers markets bring green into the metro area, inviting residents can fill their kitchens with locally-grown, organic fruits and vegetables, pasture-raised meats, whole-grain breads and pastries, organic honey and handmade jams and jellies. Flowers, herbs, coffees, teas and juices can be found at more than a few.

Some also feature area artisans and musicians, as well as renowned chefs who offer demonstrations. Many of the markets have evolved into regular social events for local folks.

Cherokee County

Canton Farmers Market

Cannon Park

130 East Main St., Canton 30114

Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., early May to October facebook.com/pages/ Canton-FarmersMarket/167712443290710

Woodstock Farm Fresh Market

Downtown Market St. at Fowler St., Woodstock 30188

Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m., early May to late October facebook.com/ ourwoodstockfarmmarket/

Cobb County

Acworth Farmers Market

First Baptist Church of Acworth, 4583 Church St., Acworth 30101

Fridays, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., early April to late October facebook.com/Acworth-FarmersMarket-237641463109406/

Farmers Atlanta Road Market

St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church, 2160 Cooper Lake Rd., Smyrna 30080

Tuesdays, 4:30-7 p.m., April to September farmsmyrna.com

Kennesaw Farmers Market

Depot Park, 2820 Cherokee St., Kennesaw 30144

Mondays, 3:30-7:30 p.m., early May to late October facebook.com/

KennesawFarmersMarket/

Marietta Square Farmers Market Marietta Square, 65 Church St., Marietta 30060

Saturdays, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., year-round

Sundays, 12noon-3 p.m., May to October mariettasquarefarmersmarket.com

Smyrna Fresh Produce Market Smyrna Market Village parking lot, 1275 Church St., Smyrna 30080

Saturdays, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., May to September smyrnacity.com/i-want-to/ volunteer-get-involved-donate/ fresh-produce-market

DeKalb County

Brookhaven Farmers Market Brookhaven Baptist Church, 1294 N. Druid Hills Rd., Brookhaven 30319

Saturdays, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., late April to mid-November brookhavenfarmersmarket.com

Decatur Farmers Market

First Baptist Church of Decatur, 308 Clairemont Ave., Decatur 30030

Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., mid-April through season cfmatl.org/Decatur

East Atlanta Village

Farmers Market

561 Flat Shoals Ave., Atlanta 30316

Thursdays, 4-8 p.m., mid-April to mid-December cfmatl.org/eav

Emory Farmers Market Cox Hall Bridge, 569 Asbury Circle, Atlanta 30322

Tuesdays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., year-round (except summer & school breaks) facebook.com/ EmoryFarmersMarket/?fref=ts

Stone Mountain Farmers Market

Municipal parking lot, 922 Main St., Stone Mountain 30083

Tuesdays, 4-7 p.m., mid-April to late November facebook.com/ stonemountainfarmersmarket/

Tucker Farmers Market

2333 Main St., Tucker 30084

Thursdays, 4-8 p.m., early April to mid-December tuckerfarmersmarket.com

Fulton County

Downtown Alpharetta

Farmers Market

Milton Ave. at Old Canton St., Alpharetta 30009

Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., mid-April to late October facebook.com/Downtown AlpharettaFarmersMarket/

Freedom Farmers Market

Carter Center Library, 453 Freedom Pkwy., Atlanta 30306

Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., year-round freedomfarmersmkt.org

Grant Park Farmers Market 600 Cherokee Ave., Atlanta 30312

Sundays, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., early April to mid-December grantparkmarket.org

Green Market at Piedmont Park 12th Street gate, 1071 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta 30309

Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., early March to mid-December piedmontpark.org

Heritage Sandy Springs

Farmers Market

6100 Lake Forrest Dr., Sandy Springs 30328

Saturdays, 8:30-12 p.m., mid-April to December heritagesandysprings.org/3485-2/ events/hss-farmers-market/

Johns Creek Farmers Market Mark Burkhalter Amphitheater, Newton Park, 3150 Old Alabama Rd., Johns Creek 30022

Saturdays, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., early May to late August johnscreekga.gov/ RecreationandParks/ Special-Events/Farmers-Market

Morningside Farmers Market 1393 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta 30306

Saturdays, 8-11:30 a.m., year-round morningsidemarket.com

Peachtree Center Green Market Peachtree Center Courtyard, 225 Peachtree St., Atlanta 30303

Thursdays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., early April to October facebook.com/peachtreecenter

Peachtree Road Farmers Market

Cathedral of St. Phillip parking lot, 2744 Peachtree Rd., Atlanta 30305

Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.-12p.m., early April to mid-December

Wednesdays, 4:30-8 p.m., mid-April to late October peachtreeroadfarmersmarket.com

Ponce City Farmers Market

The Shed at Ponce City Market, 675 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta 30308

Tuesdays, 4-8 p.m., mid-April through season cfmatl.org/poncecity

Roswell Farmers & Artisans Market City Hall, 38 Hill St., Roswell 30075

Saturdays, 8 a.m.-12p.m., mid-April to late October roswellfam.com

Gwinnett County

Lilburn Farmers Market Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 1400 Killian Hill Rd., Lilburn 30047

Fridays, 4-8 p.m., early June to late August lilburnfarmersmarket.org

Norcross Community Market Webb Park, 5 College St., Norcross 30071

Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., early June to late August norcrosscommunitymarket.com

Snellville Farmers Market

Snellville City Hall Town Green, 2342 Oak Rd., Snellville 30078

Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., early June to September snellvillefarmersmarket.com

Suwanee Farmers Market Town Center Park, 330 Town Center Ave., Suwanee 30024

Saturdays, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., early May to early October Second Saturdays of the month, 9-11 a.m., November to April suwanee.com/whatsnew. farmersmarket.php

Instant Color with Annuals

Liven up your landscape this spring and summer with annual blooms. Add a bit of contrast to your green lawn, trees and shrubs. Annuals are an easy way to brighten any space. Here are some tips when choosing which annuals to plant.

• Examine your area and determine how much sun or shade you have. If you have a landscape that’s mostly sunny all day, you’ll need to choose annuals that will take the sun. The same concept goes for landscapes that are mostly shady; look for annuals that tolerate shade well. Many people make the mistake of choosing what looks great at the nursery. You need to pick the right plants based on their sun and shade requirements.

Sarah E. Brodd is an Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent for UGA Extension in DeKalb County. She enjoys educating the community about horticulture and working with her great group of DeKalb Master Gardeners.

• Consider the correct shape and size. The space available for planting your annuals will help determine the correct shape and size of the plants for that area. If you’d like them in a container, you might choose something that will take less ground space, but will grow tall. If you want them to provide coverage for a landscape or flower bed, you might want to pick something that spreads.

• Look for strong color combinations. Choose colors that compliment your landscape. For example, if you have a dark brick wall, choose colors like lime green or yellow that will pop when seen against it.

Once you’ve made your decisions and chosen annuals for your landscape, it’s time to plant. Whether in a container or a bed, make sure you have nice soil that drains well.

When taking your plants out of their plastic containers, loosen up the roots so they’ll spread out. This is important since the roots tend to grow around each other in the container. Plant them so the base of the plant is even with the soil.

Water them well. For the first few weeks, you’ll need to water them often to make sure they don’t dry out too much. Once your plants become established, water as needed when the soil feels dry. Fertilize every four to six weeks. A water-soluble fertilizer works best.

For more information on the best annuals for Georgia landscapes, contact your local extension office for a publication, or check online at ugaextension.org/dekalb.