The weather this spring might be playing havoc with your back-yard garden, but never fear: As of last week, fresh-picked produce is making its way to farmers markets in every corner of Dakota County.
It's farm fresh at the farmers market
The county's farmers markets can help fill in the gaps where your garden might have failed.
With the lone exception of Mendota Heights, where efforts to get a market established haven't yet borne fruit, every large city in the county has a weekly or twice-weekly farmers market.
Rosemount was set to hold its first market of the season last week, but it was cancelled shortly after it opened because of thunderstorms and tornado warnings, said Shari Haselmann, assistant manager of the St. Paul Farmers Market, which operates the Rosemount market and most of the other Dakota County locations. They'll try again next week.
With the Inver Grove Heights and South St. Paul markets also opening last week, all the county's regular markets are up and running, weather permitting.
Lakeville's market had 11 vendors on Wednesday in its second week, but that number will balloon to about 30 by midsummer, Haselmann said. The markets have gotten off to a slower start than usual because poor weather has farmers struggling to get crops ready.
"Things are probably 7-10 days late this year," Haselmann said.
Most of the markets continue into late October.
TUESDAYS
Rosemount Farmers Market, 2-6 p.m., 13885 S. Robert Trail.
WEDNESDAYS
Eagan Market Fest (includes artisan booths, live entertainment and demonstrations), 4-8 p.m., Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Pkwy.
Hastings Farm Market, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Westview Shopping Center, 1399 S. Frontage Road.
Lakeville Farmers Market, noon-5 p.m., Holyoke Avenue and W. 208th Street.
South St. Paul Farmers Market, 3-6:30 p.m., 7th Avenue and Marie Avenue.
THURSDAYS
Burnsville Farmers Market, Noon-5 p.m., Mary, Mother of the Church, 3333 Cliff Road.
Farmington Farmers Market, 3-6 p.m., 109 Spruce St.
Inver Grove Farmers Market, 3:30-6:30 p.m., Veterans Memorial Community Center, 8055 Barbara Av.
FRIDAYS
West St. Paul Farmers Market, 8 a.m.-noon, Signal Hills Shopping Center, S. Robert Street and Orme Street.
SATURDAYS
Apple Valley Farmers Market, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Apple Valley Municipal Center, 7100 W. 147th St.
Burnsville Farmers Market, 7 a.m.-noon, Burnsville Transit Center, Hwy. 13 and Nicollet Avenue.
Hastings Farm Market, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Westview Shopping Center, 1399 S. Frontage Road.
Lakeville Farmers Market, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Holyoke Avenue and W. 208th Street.
DYLAN BELDEN