Farmers Markets are a wonderful place to discover local farmers and food producers. You will find fruits, vegetables, dairy products, nuts, flowers, meat, fish, preserves, baking, snacks and a variety of unique artisanal works. As the spring turns to summer, and summer to autumn, the offerings change up and you will enjoy the full bounty that our Fraser Valley has to offer.

All of these local markets offer something unique – mark them on your summer calendars and give them each a try! We are excited to visit the Fraser Valley’s newest market – The Eco Market in Sardis!

by Alex Pope

Abbotsford Farm & Country Market
www.abbotsfordfarmandcountrymarket.com
Montrose at George Ferguson Way, Abbotsford
Saturdays 9AM – 1PM
May 12 – October 15, 2012

Chilliwack Farmers Market
www.ChilliwackFarmersMarket.com
10015 Young Road, Chilliwack
Saturdays 9AM – 2PM
June 23 – September 15, 2012

Cultus Lake Market in the Park
www.cultuslake.bc.ca
East side Main Beach parking lot
Saturdays 9AM – 3PM
June 9 – September 1, 2012

Fort Langley Village Farmers Market
www.fortlangleyvillagefarmersmarket.org 
Orchard of the Fort Langley National Historic Fort
Sundays 10AM – 3PM
Begins April 21

Haney Farmers Market
www.haneyfarmersmarket.org
Memorial Peace Park on 224th, Maple Ridge
Saturdays 9AM – 2PM
Begins May 12

Langley Farmers Market
www.langleycommunityfarmersmarket.com
Kwantlen University Parking Lot
20901 Langley By Pass, Langley
Wednesdays 2PM – 6PM
May 23 – October 3, 2012

Mission Farmers Market
www.missioncityfarmersmarket.com
Lane Creek Park (2nd & Horne), Mission
Saturdays 9AM – 1PM
May 5 – September 29, 2012

Pitt Meadows Farmers Market
www.haneyfarmersmarket.org
Spirit Square (12007 Harris Road), Pitt Meadows
Sundays 10AM – 2PM
Begins July 8

Surrey Urban Farmers Market 
www.SurreyMarket.org
North Surrey Rec Centre Courtyard
10275 135 Street, Surrey
Wednesdays 1PM – 6PM
June 13 – October 4, 2012

The Eco Market
www.theECOmarket.ca
Sardis Park, Chilliwack
Wednesdays 4PM – 8PM
May 9 – October 10, 2012

White Rock Farmers Market
www.whiterockfarmersmarket.ca
15154 Russell Avenue, White Rock
Sundays 9AM – 1PM
Begins May 27

Adopting a healthy lifestyle and sticking to a retirement plan can add years to your life. That’s the message organizers plan to convey at the first annual Fraser Valley Retirement Planning and Healthy Living Show, May 25 to 27 at the Chilliwack Heritage Park. The new trade show takes a holistic approach to planning for your future by combining health and stress management with financial planning for retirement. The event will featuring an array of displays and demonstrations of products and services, plus presentations from various speakers, including B.C.’s popular media doctor, Dr. Art Hister.

“There’s no doubt that life is busy these days and extremely expensive, especially in B.C., but that shouldn’t stop you from living your life to the fullest and planning for your retirement,” said Gary Moran, owner of Fantasy Farms and producer of the Fraser Valley Retirement Planning and Healthy Living Show. “It’s never too early or too late, to put your healthy living and retirement plan in place, and stick with it.”

Presenters at the the Fraser Valley Retirement Planning and Healthy Living Show include key note speaker, Dr. Art Hister, a local celebrity doctor and well known medical and healthy living expert with weekly broadcasts on Global Television and CKNW radio’s “Medical Minute”. Dr. Art Hister will provide expert advice during his presentations on March 26th about the simple steps people can take to enjoy longer and healthier lives.

So this year, I was determined to learn the basics by asking lots of questions. Not only was Brian able to help us get a better idea of where to start, he also filled us in on the common mistakes beginners make and how to avoid them. We focused on container gardening, which is perfect for herbs, cucumbers, strawberries, lettuce and tumbler tom tomatoes.

1.  Pick A Container That’s Big Enough

Whether you’ve decided to grow something to eat (fruits and veggies) or something pretty to look at (flowers), it’s important to choose a container that is big enough for your plants. You want to choose a container  approximately 14-18 inches wide with adequate drainage holes on the bottom. Yes, you will have to ensure there is something below to catch the draining water, but a plant with proper drainage is a happy one plant.

2. Don’t Cheap Out on the Soil

The soil world can be a confusing one. With so many different kinds at varied price points, it can be hard to tell which ones are worth the extra dollars. If you want your plants to bloom, it’s important to choose a professional growers soil mix. It’s usually written on the bag’s packaging but if you aren’t sure you can always ask. Don’t worry you won’t sound silly if you tell them you are looking for a professional growers soil mix – they may even think you know what you’re talking about! If you are growing vegetables and are looking to go the organic route, be sure to look for quality organic soil blends as there are a number of them out there.

3. Don’t Plant Too Deep!

Whether you are starting with seeds, or repotting starter plants (ones that have had time to grow already), make sure not to plant them too deep into your pot. Pay attention to how deep they are planted in the pot that you purchased them in, and aim for the same depth in your new plant. Planting seeds, vegetables or flowers too deep will cause them to have to work too hard to grow and may cause them to die. The one exception to this rule is tomatoes, since they are naturally able to continue to grow even when planted deeply in a planter.

4. Use a Time Release Fertilizer

If you purchased a quality soil mix, you are not required to purchase anything additional to add to the soil mixture. If you are looking to give your flowers an extra boost (to help them grow, or just keep them healthy), look for time-release fertilizers to add to the top of the soil only. As you water the plants, it activates the fertilizers and continues to release small amounts of them that will be absorbed by the plant throughout the day. These kinds of fertilizers last approximately 4-6 months, so you don’t need to worry about continually adding more to your plants.

5. Watch Your Watering

When it comes to watering your plants the general rule of thumb is to give your plants something to drink in the same manner you give yourself something to drink – when you’re thirsty! When the soil of your plants starts to get dry, give them a really good drink. You want to give them enough water that the soil becomes moist, but not so much that there is extra water left sitting on top of the soil. To help prevent plants from molding, only water your plants in the morning and never at night. This gives your plants the chance to absorb the moisture before the dampness of the evening, keeping them much healthier.

Finally…. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions!

Although you may think you sound silly asking the very basic of questions, you can be sure lots of other people have had the same ones! Nursery owners are recognizing that the more people become involved with technology, the less time they end up spending outside in their gardens. Not only do they want to be there to answer your questions, the majority of them are actually excited to be given the opportunity to share their passion and knowledge with you!

We hope that these guidelines have inspired you to get out and create something beautiful for your backyard, front porch or even your tiny balcony! Container gardening is an affordable way to test out the gardening waters and still have something to show off to others once you get the hang of it.

What are some great gardening tips that you’ve learned over the years?

Below is a list of a few consignment stores in the Fraser Valley. Some of these carry children’s or men’s clothes too, but for this feature I’ve focused on women’s clothing. I’m pretty sure you’ll be seeing a children’s consignment store post from yours truly in the future!

1. DD Booski
106 – 23343 Mavis Avenue, Fort Langley

I’ve been shopping at d.d. booski for years now. This is not just a consignment store, though, they also carry lots of new items at affordable prices. How? Much of it is department store overstocks and the such. It’s a great place to visit, whether you are in need of something special or just fancy a browse. And, heck, it’s a trip to Fort Langley which is always fun! Click here to learn more about their consignment policy.

2. Unika
102 – 5658 Vedder Road, Chilliwack

Unika – a lifestyle company is a really, really neat store. They describe their store as a modern blend of new, almost new and vintage clothing, accessories, jewelry and home decor. If you are the type of person who likes to have that one-of-a-kind shirt/dress/outfit that everybody adores and nobody else has, Unika is for you. Click here to learn more about their consignment policy.

3. Clothesline Consignment
5685 176 Street, Surrey (Cloverdale)

Cloverdale’s Clothesline Consignment was the first consignment store I ever visited – and it set the bar high. The store is packed from wall to wall with fashions for women of all ages, great accessories – even shoes! And it’s all at a fraction of what you would have paid for the garments when they were new. The store is merchandised nicely and though it’s not a huge store, you’ll be in there for quite some time looking through racks and racks of great finds. Click here to learn more about their consignment policy.

4. Crazy About Clothes
11952 228 Street, Maple Ridge

Maple Ridge’s Crazy About Clothes boasts an ‘upscale’ consignment collection, and it didn’t disappoint. Designer fashions, like-new brand name handbags – they have it all. The store is stocked full of awesome fashions and they host regular events that look like lots of fun. Click here to learn more about their consignment policy.

5. Klassy Katz Consignment
10 – 32904 Ventura Avenue, Abbotsford

Klassy Katz’ mission statement is “To offer impeccable quality, name brand apparel in an assortment of sizes and styles to accommodate all varying body styles and shapes while providing the best shopping experience available in the world of consignment clothing”. And they have succeeded in their mission, if you ask me. I’ve only just discovered this store but the staff were super helpful, the collection of clothing was diverse and I found some awesome deals! Click here to learn more about their consignment policy.

Bonus #6 – Cashmere & Cupcakes
21594 48 Avenue, Langley

This designer consignment boutique caught my eye recently. Local fashionistas will love this adorable boutique stocked with brand name clothing, jewellery and other accessories.  We’re talking Coach, Gucci, Chanel – real, quality designer finds.

Every week I’m finding more good ones scattered throughout the Fraser Valley. Where is your favourite local consignment store?

Minter Gardens Country Garden Store

10015 Young Rd, Chilliwack
604-792-6612

If you have lived in the Fraser Valley for any length of time, you’ve most likely heard of Minter Gardens. A beautiful horticultural attraction in Rosedale, Minter Gardens really is a gardener’s dream. As an extension of their 35-acre show garden, Brian Minter and his family share their passion for all things plant related with other gardeners (and gardening hopefuls!) at the Minter Gardens Country Store. They have all the basics covered for the beginner, including great seminars and events, plus a wide selection of plants from across the globe for those seeking a bit more variety. The best part about the Minter Gardens Country Store? Brian Minter is a wealth of knowledge! With plenty of speaking engagements, radio talk shows and regular gardening columns under his belt, Brian knows what it takes to make your garden grow. Note that the Country Store is located at the address above, and is not in the same location as the gardens themselves.

Potters

19158 48^th Ave, Surrey
604-576-5011

If variety is the spice of life, then Potters is like a huge spice cupboard! The largest of their 4 locations, the retail space at their 48^th Avenue location is the place to be for those looking to plant a little bit everything in their gardens. Low prices and weekly specials (check out their fliers online) make trying your hand at gardening a little less scary. In addition to gardening tools, flowers and starter vegetable plants, Potters also carries an array of patio bistro sets, home décor items (including sinamay, really cool garden friendly décor mesh) and lots and lots and lots of beautiful pottery planters! So many, in fact, that they’re famous for their “buy 1 save 30%, buy 2 save 40% and buy 3 save 50%” deals, on all of their pottery planters. A good thing to remember about this garden centre is that they are open year ‘round. Their incredible Christmas store (open October – Christmas Eve) and haunted house for Hallowe’en make Potters a neat family destination.

Port Kells Nursery

18730 88^th Avenue, Surrey
778-882-1344

Situated on the Surrey/Langley border, Port Kells Nursery is a great full service garden centre destination for beginners and novices alike! With over 60 staff members, Port Kells Nursery is one of the only gardening centres in the area that can serve you in 11 different languages. They carry all your basic garden essentials as well as bulk soils, mulches, gravel, sands and lava rock. For those planning bigger landscaping projects, they also offer delivery services so you don’t have to worry about hauling it home yourself. Plus, you can even have the pros from the nursery plant what you want, in whatever you want, so it just looks like you know what you’re doing (and for a super affordable rate). Looking to plant something different this season? Ask them about adding raspberry or blackberry plants to your garden this year. These are just as easy to grow as tomatoes, but take up less space!

Cannor Nursery

34261 Marshall Rd, Abbotsford

604-854-1616

Cannor Nursery has two locations in the Fraser Valley (Chilliwack & Abbotsford), but we love their Abbotsford location the best. They have one of the greatest selections of flowers and greenery in the Fraser Valley and carry all kinds of annuals, perennials and tropical species. Cannor Nursery is a one-stop shop for those looking at getting into gardening, so don’t be shy to ask for help from one of their Canadian Certified Horticultural Technicians; they can help you pick out everything from the containers to use, the soil to fill them with and which flowers have the best chance of surviving, err I mean growing!

Ferncliff Gardens

8394 McTaggart St, Mission
604-826-2447

After being in business for 92 years, you can be sure the gang at Ferncliff Gardens know what they’re doing! They carry hundreds of catalogued varieties of flowers including peonies, dahlias, daylilies and irises – which are all listed on their website so you can browse before your visit. We love the specialized varieties that they carry like the Garden Lace Peony, and their home-grown varieties like the Ferncliff Snowfire. Plus, if you visit near the end of summer, you can find huge bunches of dahlias and wildflowers for just under $5. What an affordable way to keep that patio dinner table full of colour!

We hope you take a break from your busy schedule during the spring and summer seasons to get out and do a little gardening! Be sure to visit one of these great garden centres for great selection and awesome advice.

We’d love to hear what keeps you motivated to spend time in your garden and which garden stores keep you inspired. There are plenty of great ones – where’s your favourite?

Guests will find lots of new events at this year’s rodeo and fair, including the first-ever Cloverdale Cowboy Cook-Off which will pit world-renowned BBQ chefs in a mouth-watering competition where they can win $10,000! Also new this year is the World Freestyle Round-Up powered by ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK – a skateboard competition with the world’s top freestyle skateboarders from all over the globe. Another daring group, the Pacific Northwest Ponies will thrill crowds on Friday Night with their Mini Chuck Wagon & Chariot Races.  If you miss them Friday night, you can still catch these Crazy Ponies as part of the halftime show during the Rodeo events. Plus don’t miss millions of dollars in vintage rides at the first-ever Classic Car Show.

The Country Fair is the perfect place for families to enjoy a full, fun, exciting day out. The Fraser Valley’s largest midway features a wide variety of rides and games for the whole family. Plus, there is an interactive Kidz Zone with daily appearances from Dora the Explorer, a sports zone, animal displays in the Agri Zone, mechanical bull riding, an outdoor entertainment stage and more. Be sure to check out the new Dinotown exhibit and meet stars Dee Dee and Dexter Bones!

Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair
www.cloverdalerodeo.com
6050A-176th Street, Surrey

Treat your Mom to the ultimate Fraser Valley high tea experience at Tracycakes Bakery Cafe this Mother’s Day. Enjoy a modern take on a traditional high tea service with an elegant display of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, dainties and of course, Tracycakes’ signature cupcakes, accompanied by your choice of tea or coffee.

Dine in any of Tracycakes’ quaint locations in White Rock, Fort Langley or Abbotsford on Sunday, May 13th for a special “Mom & Me High Tea”.

Tracycakes would like to treat one of our readers and his/her Mama to “Mom & Me High Tea” on the 13th. Please leave a comment below to be entered to win. Winner will be chosen at random and contacted on May 9, 2012. 

Congratulations to our winner – this contest is now closed.

www.TracycakesOnline.com

We visit Restaurant 62 regularly – you may recall our Pulse Spotlight feature of this awesome Abbotsford restaurant, as well as some of their past menu features. We were thrilled to be invited back to give their new Spring menu a test drive (taste). Executive Chef Jeff Massey created this new menu to celebrate the fresh flavours of spring from throughout the Fraser Valley. We love that they adjust their menus with the seasons! It gives diners the opportunity to appreciate the flavours that are currently in season and, most exciting, the opportunity to try new things. Who doesn’t love trying new things that our Fraser Valley has to offer?

Our meal started off with the East Coast Crab Cakes, which were served with fresh wasabi aioli and topped with a refreshing Asian pear slaw. The trio of cakes looked so delicious, that we just wanted to keep taking pictures! We did finally eat them and they were heavenly. When we visited, the soup of the day was a fresh asparagus soup, which sounded too good for this soup-lover to pass up. In true spring fashion the soup was light, fresh and exceptionally different from your typical, heavier asparagus soup.

The new spring entrée menu has grown to include mouth-watering dishes such as the Fraser Valley pork chop (brined for 24 hours!) with bourbon and pecan BBQ glaze and the West Coast potlatch of mussels, prawns, fresh fish and scallops. We decided to try the grilled salmon filet, which was served with wilted spinach, lemon infused spatzle and tarragon cream and the decadent roasted lamb sirloin with minted fingerling potatoes and (not so typical) green beans. Each dish was also presented with portions of fresh beets and portabella mushrooms, which brought extra lovely flavours and colours to the already beautiful dishes.

After finishing as much as we possibly could of our entrees, we decided to tackle the difficult task of deciding on which dessert to choose to end off our evening (we were too full to order two!). With the help of our friendly server (and part owner) Alicia Bodaly, we made our way through the choices of caramel apples, Sicilian style cheesecake or chai crème brulee, but finally decided on the Classic Lemon Tart. Of note: this sweet tart is nothing but classic! The tart was a great size for two people and was even topped with mini dollops of merengue rather than one bigger one…perfect for sharing! If you do decide to share this one though, make sure you get the side with the yummy raspberry sauce!

We think it’s fabulous that Restauant 62 makes adjustments to their menu to suit the seasons. You can be sure there’s something to tickle everyone’s taste buds, regardless of when you visit. We loved being invited back to Restaurant 62 and hope you get a chance to get out to experience dining the way it should be experienced in the Fraser Valley!

Restaurant 62
www.restaurant62.ca
2001 McCallum Road, Abbotsford
Ring: 604.855.3545

The Wired Monk
111-1975 McCallum Road, Abbotsford
Ring: 604-746-3683

If going for coffee with your friends is the thing for you, The Wired Monk has all sorts of gluten-free options for you to munch on while you visit. Provided by High Crow Bakery, the gluten-free treats cover just about every craving, including chocolate fudge cake, banana loaf, and chocolate chip cookies. Plus, you get the bonus of eating great food while drinking organic coffees. What could be better than organic coffee, gluten-free snacks and a great visit with friends?

Big Feast Bistro
11920 227 St, Maple Ridge
Ring: 604-477-4334

If you’re in the mood for a full-size meal, it can be hard to find gluten-free options. Big Feast in Maple Ridge makes it a whole lot easier. They serve gluten-free bread (made from a local bakery), so any breakfast or sandwich can be made gluten-free. They also have delicious gluten-free desserts, including cookies and muffins. If you’re looking for a gluten-free meal out with the gals, Big Feast is the place to visit.

The Apple Organic Bistro at Nature’s Fare Market
19880 Langley Bypass, Langley
Ring: 778-278-1300

Everything at The Apple Organic Bistro is made in their kitchen, and they offer a wide selection of specialty foods for dietary needs, including vegan, sugar-free and wheat-free products. Soups, sandwiches, wraps, and many more products at The Apple Organic Bistro are made fresh, tasty and gluten-free, for your enjoyment.

O’Delish Bakery
Various locations around the Fraser Valley

Okay, so the gluten-free treats from O’Delish are amazing. Never has the word “No” been such a good thing: No gluten, no wheat, no hydrogenated oils, no refined sugar, no preservatives and no additives. O’Delish is dedicated to making delicious bread, cookies and muffins without all the additives. With products like Chocolate Zucchini Muffins, Quinoa Chocolate Chip Cookies, Jalapeno Cheese Bread and Cranberry Orange Bread, we think they’ve done a fantastic job. The best part? You can find O’Delish products at several locations throughout the valley.

Zena’s Gluten Free
22346 Dewdney Trunk Road, Maple Ridge
Ring: 604-477-0774

Did you know that cupcakes and brownies can be gluten-free? They can, and they’re still scrumptious. Zena’s will have you tasting all sorts of yummy gluten-free treats, including brownies, lemon cupcakes, blondies and chocolate-quinoa fancy cake. Don’t feel like a cupcake? They also offer double dark chocolate chunk, ginger molasses and white chocolate cranberry cookies. Dessert has never been so healthy, or so heavenly. If you’re tired of the same old rice bread and grainy gluten-free cookies, you will LOVE what Zena’s has to offer!

We would love to know of more local eateries with gluten-free menu items. Please share your finds with us below in the comments!