On the Market.

(Photo by M. Adam Kendall.)

Wild flowers and weeds aren’t just a nuisance. They are actually useful as well. They can be used in recipes that both detoxify and invigorate your body. Weeds like chickweed, dandelions, stinging nettle, violets, and wild onion and garlic are all both delicious and nutritious. Read Take a Walk on the Wild Weed Side for more on these wild plants and recipes for dishes like Nettle Tea with Lemon Balm and Mint, Favorite Wilted Greens, Spring Tonic Salsa Verde, Spring Green Soup, Wild Greens Omelet, and Spring Harbinger Salad.

All along Market Street merchants have decorated pots provided by Downtown Roanoke Inc. with fresh flowers and plants as part of the effort to clean up Downtown Roanoke. Everyone who participates is being judged to see who has the best pot. This pot, created by Pauline of Shades of Color, is my favorite.

There’s more than one type of hot dog to be found on the Roanoke City Market. Vendors and visitors to the Market enjoy all the friendly fur balls that come down for a stroll.

Barry of Sumdat Farm Market bundles this season’s first crop of homegrown asparagus he has for sale. Try cooking up some Roasted Asparagus with Balsamic Browned Butter or Asparagus-Turkey Wraps with Roasted-Pepper Mayonnaise.

Linda Jo brought out a variety of her paintings she has for sale. Painted on wood, this work features two wolves howling at the moon.

You could also buy cheese this Saturday from a brand new vendor, Mountain View Farm Products. They sell their own farm fresh eggs, beef, and cheese. Their Farmstead Cheese was available in colby, white cheddar, swiss, gouda, jack, and a spicy jack. The cheese is excellent. After a tasting I walked away with three different types. You can contact them by phone at (540) 460-4161 or by email at drnkmlk2@yahoo.com. The company is located in Fairfield, VA.

Additionally, Sandy River Pork will have brats back in stock this coming Saturday.

There were so many beautiful things to see on Saturday at the Roanoke City Market I went a little overboard with the pictures. Hopefully your internet service can handle all the photos I want to share with you.

From the Farmers

Rolling Meadows Farms had loads of beautiful daisies for sale.

They were available in a number of different colors.

Tim also had flowers in what he calls his Virgina Tech colors. These flowers came in burgundy and peach.

He also carries a wide assortment of succulents.

Julia Light had fresh cut flowers for sale alongside iris bulbs and hyacinth bushes ready for planting.

Scott sold beautiful wreaths made from dried flowers.

Walter’s Greenhouse offered a huge assortment of plants including this interesting yellow flower that just says “Wow!”

I also thought this pink trailing flower was beautiful.

Riverside Nursery had some neat looking ageratums ready to plant.

John was also selling this beauty.

Jack Ferguson was selling fresh eggs and kale.

There were also delicious cuts of pork from Sandy River Pork.

From the Crafters

Dana James was selling butterfly and dragonfly sun catchers made from fused glass.

Ben Crooks had his usual assortment of rocks, minerals and fossils on hand.

Linda brought her beautiful sea glass jewelry down to sell.

While Little Creek Forge was selling key chains of the state flower, the dogwood.

Penny Lane had more of her wonderful fungi jewelry for sale.

And Steve of Little Blue Woman Candles brought these tea light candle holders to lure potential customers.

Sherry was selling unique, hand thrown vases.

And pots.

Anne brought more of her jewelry down to the Market. I especially like this piece as the stones remind me of acorns.

This pendant also grabbed my attention.

Kari was selling her hand painted, tin wall vases along with an assortment of fun birdhouses and mirrors.

Kyle and Dave were selling their party platters. I thought this blue platter really stood out.

Rebecca’s Soap Delicatessen brought out her new Juicy Grapefruit soap and lotion for a perfectly pampered you.

And Cheryl had a new one of a kind journal for sale.

From the Shops

Okay, so I didn’t really get to focus much on the shops along Market St, but here are a few things I did find. If you’re interested in seeing more from the Market Street shops, please let me know.

Baking dishes on sale at Ladles and Linens.

Yard art from Good Things on the Market.

And a cat shaped watering can from The Gift Niche.

There are a lot of beautiful flowers to be found on the Market. Now is the time to begin preparing to plant for spring. Here’s a little bit of the color you can expect to find.

Beautiful, fresh cut pink flowers from Julia Light.

Early spring bloomers from Sumdat Farm.

Heucheras from Rolling Meadows Farms.

And vibrant color from Walter’s Greenhouse.