The scent of fresh-baked goods fills the air. Tender greens cover tables. A band plays as visitors tap their feet. And taste buds water at the prospect of locally grown fruits and vegetables. Now that spring has arrived after one of the longest, hardest winters in memory, outdoor farmers markets are opening around the Twin Cities metro area. Each week this month and into June, more markets will open, expanding the number of places to find locally grown foods, handmade arts and crafts, and cheerful company. Here's a list of many farmers markets around the area. If you know of others, e-mail events@startribune.com.

Apple Valley

Location 1: 7100 W. 147th St.

Hours: Saturdays from June 14 to Oct. 25, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location 2: Minnesota Zoo, 13000 Zoo Blvd.

Hours: Wednesdays from July 9 to Aug. 27, noon to 4 p.m.

Belle Plaine

Location: Court Square Park, 410 N. Cedar St.

Geedha Gudavali looked over hanging flower baskets at the farmers market at Mary Mother of the Church in Burnsville. May 8 was opening day at the market, which runs noon to 5 p.m. Thursdays until Oct. 30.

Hours: Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Bloomington

Location: Bloomington Civic Plaza in the east parking lot, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Rd.

Hours: Saturdays from June 7 to Oct. 11, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Burnsville

Location 1: 200 W. Burnsville Pkwy.

Hours: Saturdays from June 14 to Oct. 25, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location 2: Mary, Mother of the Church, 3333 Cliff Rd.

Hours: Thursdays through Oct. 30, noon to 5 p.m.

Chanhassen

Location: City Center Park, 78th Street and Market Blvd.

Hours: Saturdays from May 31 to Oct. 25, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Chaska (Carver County Farmers Market)

Location: At the County Government Center parking lot in Chaska.

Hours: Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. No start date is set, just June through October.

Eagan

Location: Eagan Festival Grounds at Central Park, 1501 Central Pkwy.

Hours: Wednesdays from June 4 to Sept. 24, 4 to 8 p.m.

Farmington

Location: 3rd Street, downtown.

Hours: Thursday, June 19 to Sept. 18, 2:30-6:30 p.m.

Inver Grove Heights

Location: Veterans Memorial Community Center, 8055 Barbara Av.

Carmen Robertson of Great Harvest Food Co. spread out her homemade baked goods for customers on opening day May 8 at the farmers market in the parking lot of Mary Mother of the Church in Burnsville.

Hours: Sundays from June 22 to Oct. 5, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Lakeville

Location: 208th Street W. and Holyoke Avenue.

Hours: Wednesdays June 11 to Oct. 29, noon to 5 p.m.; Saturdays from June 21 to Sept. 27, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Northfield

Location: Riverside Park on W. 7th St. downtown.

Hours: Tuesdays and Fridays from 11:45 to 1 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m., from mid-May to the end of October.

Prior Lake

Location: Hwy. 13 and County Road 21

Hours: Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon through October.

Richfield

Location 1: Veterans Memorial Park, 64th Street and Portland Avenue S.

These cookies from Great Harvest Bread Co. were snapped up by farmers market customers in Burnsville last Thursday.

Hours: Saturdays from May 17 to Oct. 25., 7 a.m. to noon until September and 8 a.m. to noon during October.

Location 2: 6400 Lyndale Av. S.

Hours: Wednesdays from June 4 to Sept. 10, 2-7 p.m.

Rosemount

Location: 13885 S. Robert Trail.

Hours: Tuesdays June 17 to Sept. 30, 1 to 5 p.m.

Savage

Location: Quentin Avenue and Hwy. 13.

Hours: Sundays from June 1 to Oct. 26, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

South St. Paul

Location: 1151 Southview Blvd.

Hours: Wednesdays from July 2 to Sept. 24, 3 to 6:30 p.m.

West St. Paul

Location: Signal Hills Mall, 1201 S. Robert St.

Hours: Fridays from June 13 to Oct. 31, 8 a.m. to noon.

Danielle Dullinger is a University of Minnesota student reporter on assignment for the Star Tribune.