As summer turns to autumn -- with a little taste of winter now and then -- the farmers' market scene is changing too.
Now is the time to get out for the last chance for a nearly full lineup of market options. Saturday is the final Spenard Farmers Market and Muldoon Farmers Market of the year. The Willow Farmers Market closed down last week. Other Alaska markets also have wrapped up the 2015 season.
And from the fields there are reports like this one from Rob Wells, who is tending his dahlia blooms: "Our dahlias are staying toasty warm at night for this week but we are going week by week with the weather."
Wells expects to have his blooms at Wednesday's Center and South Anchorage farmers' markets. Beyond that it's "a day at a time" with the chilly temperatures.
It's definitely the changing of the seasons.
Here are some of the highlights from this week's farmers markets:
Anchorage Farmers Market
"We still have three weeks to go at market and our farm stand," says Sarah Bean of Arctic Organics. "And the weather forecast is definitely angling in our favor to warm up for market this Saturday, even though we'll have frosty mornings all week."
Among the items this week are a variety of beets and cauliflower, leeks, red onions, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, red bell peppers, scallions, carrots, red and green cabbage, broccoli heads and florets, fennel, celery, kohlrabi, daikon, snow apple and purple top turnips, kale, greens mix and several herbs.
Other vendors scheduled this week are Northern Flowers, The Persistent Farmer, Stockwell Farm, Seldovitsch Farm, VanderWeele Farm, Vang Family Garden and Turkey Red baked goods.
South Anchorage Farmers Markets
Arthur Keyes says the cold temperatures are paying off for farmers and shoppers.
"The crisp nighttime temps we have been experiencing this week have really intensified the flavors and increased the sugars of our fall crops, there hasn't been a better time all season than now to experience and taste Alaska's unique agricultural flavors," Keyes says.
The Wednesday market includes Glacier Valley Farm, Kenley's Alaskan Vegetables, Arctic Wonder Market, Stockwell Farm, Drool Central and Northern Flowers.
Two dozen vendors are scheduled for Saturday, including VanderWeele Farm, Three Bears Farm, Wild Scoops ice cream and Sweet Water Farm for their final market of the season with heirloom tomatoes.
Rempel Family Farm will have 10 varieties of potatoes, carrots, Brussels sprouts, winter squashes, lettuces, artichokes, green onions, red cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, arugula and several other items from the field.
Drool Central will have "arf," new puppy training treats that Daisy Nicolas describes as "crunchy itty-bitties made of organic sweet potato puree, Alaska grown barley flour, homemade chicken fat and citric acid."
Arctic Choice expects to have fresh ling cod, along with rockfish, halibut and cod. Other seafood options include razor clams, crab, scallops and shrimp.
Spenard Farmers Market
Several vendors are lined up for the final market, including Dinkel's Veggies and Alaska Black Cod.
Dinkel's Veggies will have potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, onions and cabbage.
Alaska Black Cod will have smoked black cod and Copper River salmon. Additionally, they will have ready-for-the-grill black cod and salmon fillets and steaks. They also will be at the Center Market on Wednesday and Saturday.
Center Market
The year-round Center Market inside the Mall at Sears isn't going anywhere. This week, look for veggies, pork, pasta and other options.
La Grassa will unveil a new roasted red pepper and goat cheese ravioli. They also have spinach, original and porcini hand-cut noodles; vegan herb strozzapreti; Alaska potato gnocchi; and Alaska kale, ricotta and roasted garlic ravioli. La Grassa also will be at Saturday's South Anchorage market.
Sweet Caribou have several macaron flavors, including after-dinner mint, birthday cake, chai tea, chocolate cherry, chocolate marshmallow and Fred Flintstone. Cupcakes include cabin fever key lime and sockeye red velvet cupcakes. They also will be at Saturday's Alaska Women's Show.
Alex Davis of A.D. Farm will have carrots, beets, cabbage, kale, collards, Swiss chard and potatoes from the field. His pork options include chops, roast, slab, sausage, hocks, skin and fat. He also has fresh eggs, Alaska Flour Co. products and sprouts and microgreens from Alaska Sprouts.
Farm 779 will have its regular items plus new kale sprinkles. "Add this powerhouse nutrition resource to your smoothies, soups, salads and beyond," says Julie Meer. "If you love kale, but hate all that chewing, you will love this new easy to use item."
Alaska farmers markets
Monday in Palmer: Depot Farm Market, noon-6 p.m., Palmer Depot
Tuesday out of town: Eagle River Farmers Market, 3-7 p.m., VFW Post Parking Lot, Eagle River
Wednesday in Anchorage: Alaska Pacific University Farmers Market, 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m., APU campus in front of Grant Hall; Center Market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street; Northway Mall Wednesday Market, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Northway Mall; South Anchorage Wednesday Market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Dimond Center
Wednesday out of town: Homer Farmers Market, 3-6 p.m., Ocean Drive
Thursday in Peter's Creek: Peter's Creek Farmers Market, 3-7 p.m., American Legion Post 33, Old Glenn Highway
Friday in Willow: Willow Farmers Market, 2-7 p.m., Mile 68 Parks Highway.
Saturday in Anchorage: Anchorage Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Central Lutheran Church, 15th Avenue and Cordova Street; Center Market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street; Muldoon Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2p.m., Begich Middle School, 7440 Creekside Center Drive; South Anchorage Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., O'Malley Sports Complex at the corner of Old Seward Highway and O'Malley Road; Spenard Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Spenard Road and 26th Avenue
Saturday out of town: Central Kenai Peninsula Farmers Market, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Kenai Spur Highway and East Corral Street, Soldotna; Homer Farmers Market, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Ocean Drive