As I am writing this, the temperatures have dipped again, reminding us that Spring is unpredictable in our High Desert homes, especially in the nearby mountains. Be prepared with some kind of cover for your summer annuals, you may already have out in the garden, including tomatoes, peppers, squash, zinnias, and other vegetables that cannot tolerate temperatures of 40 or below at night. I suggest waiting to plant basil until the threat of frost has passed in your region. Basil is the most tender of all summer-loving plants. You may use a frost cloth, a blanket, a sheet, or any other cover to protect your plants, but make sure it does not touch the plant, as it will freeze to it. Remove it the next day as the sun comes out to warm the day.
Here at Moonstruck Farms, we are once again making a change to our routine. May 18th will be our last day at the Phelan Certified Farmers Market after more than a decade of attending as a farm and managing the market. It is time to step into another rhythm of life, and we will be selling our flowers when available, as well as jams, pepper jellies, and mustards, at Mountain Hardware in Wrightwood and the Tri Community Coop on Fridays every other week, 9 am to 10:30 am, inside the Wrightwood Community Center. In addition, our jams and mustards are available at Pochteca Produce in Oak Hills, inside the Liberation Kitchen; 5th Gen. Meat Co. in Apple Valley; and The Old Photography Lab in Fawnskin. Follow our new adventures as they unfold on our Instagram page at moonstruckfarms2 and Moonstruck Farms on Facebook. Thank you for your many years of support at the Phelan Certified Farmers Market.
As previously stated, I am stepping into another rhythm of life, so this will be my last NewsPlus article. I remember the day Don walked up to me at one of my CSA delivery locations and asked me to write a gardening article for the community. I was so touched and said yes immediately! I have enjoyed these many years of writing immensely and will miss it.
The Phelan Certified Farmers Market will be managed by Sam Torres, who grew up at the market and loves this community as much as I do. The Phelan Certified Farmers Market is every Monday, 2 pm to 6 pm, except for a few holidays, including the upcoming Memorial Day holiday. The Wrightwood Farmers Market is every Friday in Wrightwood, and hours are currently 3 pm to 6 pm, but will change to summer hours in the near future, from 4 pm to 7 pm. Please follow both markets on Instagram and Facebook for the most up-to-date information. Thank you again for your tremendous support all these years.
