Go Local: 3 Kinds of Watermelons

Story by Hal Goodtree | August 12, 2010 | Tags: agriculture, Farm Markets, Food, Go Local

Story and photos by Hal Goodtree

Cary, NC – This week, why not buy your fruits and vegetables at the local Farm Markets? We have two in Cary plus farm stands and markets in nearby communities as well.

3 Kinds of Watermelons

Last Saturday, I went to the Downtown Cary Farmers Market to take some pictures for this story.

The mini-pear tomatoes were a fun and tasty variation on one of the joys of summer.The blueberries were plump and ripe and ready to eat at 2 cartons for $5.

It’s been a good season for peppers. Cantaloupes were heavy and sweet.

And then there were the watermelons. Field-ripened and massive as artillery shells.

Three varieties filled the bed of a pickup. David Norris, working the farm stand, told me the truck had been full at 8 AM. I said I wanted one of the long melons.

“Sangria?” he asked.

“No thanks, it’s a little early in the day for me,” I replied.

“That’s the name of the melon,” David said. He then told me all about the different watermelons in his truck:

• Crimson Sweet – A round “refrigerator’ type. Nice flavor, keeps well, few seeds.
• Mickey Lee – Another refrigerator type with pale green skin.
• Sangria – A traditional (long) watermelon. Very deep red, densely sweet with a fresh smell to slices that reminded me of summer camp long ago.

Chatting With the Farmer

Don’t get me wrong: I love all my supermarkets. But lately, I’ve been holding off on the fruit and vegetable purchases so I get a chance to visit the farm markets and really enjoy summer’s bounty.

Where else can you chat with the farmer about the watermelons and pear tomatoes?

Another Farm Tip – Keeping Birds Off Blueberries

I remarked to the blueberry man that my bush grows berries but the birds get them all.

He recommended “ribbon tape,” available at agricultural supply outlets. He described it as shiny, brightly colored and a definite distraction and deterrent to birds.

Cary Farm Markets and Stands

Downtown Cary Farmers Market
It’s in the Chatham Square shopping center near the corner of East Chatham and Maynard. Open Saturday 8-12 and Tuesdays 3-6.

Western Wake Farmers Market
The Western Wake Farmers Market is on Morrisville-Carpenter Rd. just west of Davis Drive. It’s open 8-12 every Saturday until November.

DJ’s Berry Patch
1223 Salem Church Road
Apex, NC 27523
Monday – Saturday 9:00 am – 6:30 pm
Sunday 12:00 pm – 6:30 pm

Farm Market Map

Here’s a map showing the locations of the three farm markets mentioned above:

View Farm Markets in Cary in a larger map