The Chelsea Farmers Market takes place each Saturday at the Palmer parking lot from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and Chelsea Update is profiling its vendors.
By Lisa Carolin
Merkel Gardens and Greenhouses has been a vendor at farmers markets in the area for more than 30 years. George Merkel, his daughter, Margaret Stech, and her husband Bill Stech, all participate in the business.
The plants are grown in greenhouses in Chelsea at 142 Van Buren St., where customers can come to make purchases.
“We have a full range of bedding plants, hanging baskets, perennials, and vegetable plants,” said Bill Stech.
In addition, Merkel Gardens does cut flowers for special events.
“It’s more of a country feel,” explained Stech.
They also do Christmas wreaths seasonally and deliver grave blankets in the winter.
“We have customers from as far away as Arizona and New York who ask for the blankets to mark graves and add beauty to them,” he said.
Below is the list of vendors who are expected to be there. Please keep in mind that sometimes the vendors aren’t able to attend the market and that planned products are not available.
Kapnick Orchards: Tart and sweet cherries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches
Afeathermations: Natural media crafts for ceremony and celebration. Bark art, wall hangings, medicine wheels, heal-the-earth wreaths, fans, rattles, and owls this week.
Fluffy Bottom Creamery: artisanal yogurt and cheese
Debbie’s Bead Design: jewelry
Two Tracks Acres: breakfast sausage, Italian sausage, chorizo, pork chops, ribs, polish sausage, pork roasts, ground pork, chicken
Goetz Greenhouse: Swiss chard, garlic, carrots, green beans, kale, sweet onions, beets, cucumbers, hoop house tomatoes, lettuce, fresh basil, sugar snap peas, shell peas, broccoli, zucchini, yellow squash, free range eggs, herbs, flower bouquets, hanging baskets
Lands of Bru-Garick: eggs, red romaine lettuce, potatoes
Country Hills Pottery: pottery
La Baguette: baked goods, baguettes
Stone Hearth Bakery: bread, cookies, brownies
Heim Gardens: carrots, kohlrabi, blueberries, cucumbers, peas, radishes, onions
H and H Sugarbush: maple syrup and other maple products
Frog Hollar: cherries, blueberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, red potatoes, cabbage, kale, onions, radishes, cilantro
Dave’s Honey: honey
HumusFilafil: hummus and falafel
Fresh: fresh roasted coffee
Bean Creek Cookie Company: old fashioned cookies made from scratch, light and fluffy caramel corn
Bordine Farms: flower bulbs, plants
Elderwoods: stone birdhouses
Heaven’s Gate Soy Candles: Soy Candles
Brieland Shoultz: eggs, vegetables, soap, jam
Elysium Soap: soap, lotions, lip balm
Bristle’s Homemade and Homegrown: knitted items, such as hand towels, dish cloths, scrubbies, and “kitty nippers” (for cat nip), potato bags, jar mixes filled for easy-soup and cookies, some produce. Special orders available for knitted items.
Herbology Organics: all natural, eco-friendly and sustainably sourced Apothecary items that are custom infused with therapeutic grade Essential Oils, Botanical’s and Extracts, ranging from Personal Bath and Body Care items, to Home and Pet Care products.
Robin Hills Farm: sweet peppers, kohlrabi, zucchini
Carolyn Myer: jams and jellies
Tantre Farms: potatoes, kale, arugula, rutabaga, lettuce mix, head lettuce, snap peas, shelling peas, spinach, collards, zucchini, radishes, beets, golden raspberries, cucumbers, fresh garlic, kohlrabi, fava beans, Swiss chard, broccoli
Mostly Green Acres: soy free, organic fed, free range chicken eggs and whole chickens, grass fed beef,
The Barn: rustic benches from reclaimed barnwood
Merkel Gardens: hanging baskets, flower and veggie starts
Chandra June: jewelry
Smith’s Daylillies: day lillies
Nick’s Blue Moon Signs: handmade signs
Activities: Kiwanis kid’s tent, live music by Bob Scon, BMI activity.
