Organic Gardening, Farmer’s Markets in Reno-Sparks
July 13, 2009
First Lady Michelle Obama made the news when she hosted a “harvest party” in the White House gardens last month. Organic gardening and farmers markets have received increasing attention across the country as people become more health conscious and look for fresher, better tasting fruits and vegetables than what can be found in local supermarkets.
If organic gardening is on your list of interests, you will want to attend a seminar on July 25th (10 am), which is being hosted by Nevada Naturals. The seminar will take place at the UNR Agricultural Experimental Station located at 910 Valley Road. The seminar will focus on growing vegetables without the soil by using hydroponics and aeroponics systems. Admission to the seminar is free. Call (775) 771-2976 for more details.
If growing your own fruits and vegetables is not quite your thing, you may want to visit one of the farmer’s market events held in Reno each week. The newest farmer’s market can be found in downtown Reno at the West Street Market. The Sparks Hometowne Farmer’s Market is considered by many to be the best of the best.
Both the West Street Market and the Sparks Hometowne Farmer’s Market offer more than veggies and fruits. These markets are more like mini-fairs, with attractions an d entertainment. The Sparks Hometowne Farmer’s Market even offers cooking demonstrations. You will not only find fresh, great-tasting fruits and vegetables, but bread, pastries and more at many of the local farmer’s markets.
If you don’t have time to shop, you can have your fresh veggies delivered to your door. Farm Fresh To You not only delivers fresh fruit and vegetables right to your door, they also offer farm tours. This month’s tour (July 25) offers tomato tasting and a best picnic basket contest. The farm also offers overnight camping sites. For more information regarding tours and camping, call Moyra (800-796-6009).
Farmer’s markets do not always offer the best prices in town, but they do offer organically grown, great tasting, “kissed by the gods” fruits and vegetables . Shopping local farmer’s markets is easy in the Reno area, as there is a market open every day of the week, except Mondays.
Reno – Sparks Farmer’s Markets:
Tuesdays:
Shopper’s Square
Plumb Lane & S Virginia St, Reno
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
United Methodist Church
1231 Pyramid Way, Sparks
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Wednesdays:
Somersett Towne Square
7650 Towne Square Way
4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Thursdays:
Sparks Hometowne Farmer’s Market
Victorian Square, Sparks
4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Fridays:
Tamarack Junction Casino
13101 S. Virginia St., Reno
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Saturdays:
Reno Village Shopping Center, California Ave & Booth St
8 a.m. – 1 p.m., June 6 – Oct. 3
Sundays:
West Street Market
Downtown Reno, between 1st and 2nd Streets
5 a.m. – 2 p.m.
