By all accounts, the weekend's weather forecast is going to have "farmers market" written all over it.
There's more coming out of the ground than the calendar might otherwise suggest. Chances are that weekend farmers market shoppers will encounter Minnesota-grown asparagus, herbs, mushrooms, nettles, rhubarb, salad greens and spinach. Other items will probably include baked goods, bedding plants, cheeses, chocolates, eggs, flowers, honey, maple syrup, poultry, meat and more.
Here's what's open this weekend:
Midtown Farmers Market: Drop in for breakfast or lunch at the market's second-annual Food Truck Fest, featuring the Moral Omnivore, Gastrotruck, MidNord Empanada Truck, Habanero Tacos, Emconada Food Truck and others, as well as market regulars Fireroast Cafe and Kabomelette. Donate to the Memorial Blood Centers blood drive, and enjoy the skee ball ramp, ping pong table and other attracttions at the Corcoran Parklet. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Mill City Farmers Market: Get answers to lawn and garden questions from Hennepin County Master Gardeners, grab free samples of smoked salt from the Wedge Community Co-op booth, pick up cooking tips (from 10:30 to 11 a.m.) from chef Jenny Breen (asparagus with citrus and olive marinade), enjoy live music (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) from the Roe Family Singers, have the kids make free Mother's Day gifts (potted herbs and flowers) and enjoy a quick breakfast or lunch from the market's many prepared-foods vendors, including Black Cat Natural Foods, the Chef Shack, Gorkha Palace, Crepes by Spoonriver, Cafe Palmira, Abrothecary, Salty Tart, Heritage Breads and Solomon's Bakery. Open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Minneapolis Farmers Market: Master gardeners from the University of Minnesota Extension will be on hand from 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday to answer questions about everything from pruning shrubs to dividing perennials to creating container gardens. Open 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily. The market's downtown Minneapolis outlet is open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday on the south plaza of the Hennepin County Government Center, on the block bounded by 6th and 7th Streets and 3rd and 4th Avenues.
St. Paul Farmers Market: Kids can create a free Mother's Day gift (a painted pot with a flower, free) from 9 a.m. to noon on both Saturday and Sunday. Open 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.
Next week, keep in mind that the Aldrich Arena Market (Wednesday, 8 a.m. to noon), Andover Farmers Market (Tuesday, 2 to 6 p.m.), Burnsville Farmers Market (Mary, Mother of the Church location, Thursday, noon to 5 p.m.), Roseville Farmers Market (Tuesday, 8 a.m. to noon), Excelsior Farmers Market (Wednesday, starting at 2 p.m.) and St. Paul Farmers Market (St. Thomas More location, Friday, 1:15 to 5 p.m.) are now open.
