Yesterday morning I held an impromptu farmer’s market at the end of my driveway. It seemed like a quick and easy way to share the bounty with the neighbors without having to go door to door delivering produce.
There were heirloom tomatoes.
Red, white and blue spuds.
Rainbow Swiss chard and 3 kinds of kale.
Fresh garlic.
And rhubarb.
I left $2.50 “seed money” in a jar on the table and a sign that read Fresh Vegetables, Pay or Leave what you like in exchange and then went into the house and did some chores.
After about 6 hours,we decided to pack it in. All that was left were a few potatoes and some tomatoes.
And this is what was left in exchange. $33 and some food products.
Pretty cool if you ask me.
Have you ever put anything at the end of your driveway?
If so, what.
Mavis wants to know.
Peggy Stenglein says
Incredible! I have done this a few times this summer, with squash and peppers, it’s what I had at the time, oh, and some beets. My girls and I put a ‘Free Farm Fresh Veggies” on a table at the end of our driveway. People were squeamish at first to take stuff, but once one neighbor stopped by, most of our veggies went too. But, I can’t believe that you had anything left at all! That stuff is super expensive in the store! And amazing that you left all of that garlic there too, someone got a great deal!!
Lucy says
I seriously wish you were my neighbour!!
Arcelia Castillo says
Same here 🙂
tash says
me three!
shelah says
What an amazing idea! I wish people would so this here too.
PattyB says
Maybe next year when I can better take care of my garden! What a great idea!
Kimberly says
I trade with people from our co op. Yesterday I traded 1lb okra and 10oz Asian long beans for Roma tomatoes and cabbage. I’ve also traded for peanut butter and toothpaste before.
Mary Ann says
Definitely pretty cool! I don’t normally have enough extra once my nephews take what they want, or I’d try this myself!
Dawn says
I think this is fantastic! Offering to sell or barter on their terms says a lot about your relationship with your neighbors too… congrats on a successful mini farmstand!
Arcelia Castillo says
I am so doing this when i have a garden 🙂 i love that you can trust your neighbors too! & that is the cutest sign! 🙂
Amy says
That’s so cool! I’d love to live in your neighborhood! I could trade my garden grown Kai-LAN and Chinese long beans for those plump tomatoes and purple potatoes =]
Desi says
That is pretty neet-o, You have some awesome neighbors!
Stacey says
I envy your neighborhood! I have some great neighbors, but I could never just leave such great stuff out and expect everyone that goes by to be fair. By the way, everything looks so good, I wish I was one of your neighbors!
shannon says
That is so cool! I wish people in my area would do that as well!
julie says
we do this every summer. we put strawberries,zucchini,cucumbers,tomatoes,sweetcorn, potatoes, squash,pumpkins, and a sign up for fresh eggs. we have very honest neighbors and we are always surprised by how much sells. most for 25cents but it pays for the seed each year.
sally rawlings says
Before I moved to Australia I was in Alaska and never hadm uch excess..that is after moose and bears took a taste ( bears like cauliflower).Now living in a common wealth country I am enjoying the kerbside give aways…people place stuff at the kerb they no long want..like furniture, garden pots, ironing tables and clothes drying racks…even a cheval framed full length mirror( which m y husband WOULD NOT stop for lol). Havent seen veg tho but I am pretty urban!! sal
I did see such stands in rural New Hampshire tho and wondered if they got robbed or if people are honest.
Denise says
What a fabulous idea! I think I’ll try this!
Michelle says
I love it! And I would do it in a heartbeat…IF, yes IF, my garden were producing this year! I’ve harvested ONE zucchini and a handful of tomatoes..not counting the cherry tomatoes that are doing fine…but not great. Not my best gardening year, that’s for sure. 🙁
Bee Girl (AKA Melissa) says
Brilliant idea! I may have to give this a GO at some point! Thanks for the inspiration!
Lisa says
It was a win-win all around!
Jill Frank says
I am hoping to do this next year. This year was for experimenting and discovering what I can actually grow.
Edwn says
I use Freecycle and Craigslist free a lot. We even bought a house for one third the appraised value. Putting things out with a free sin is common here. I just finished paintng (cheery red) the free porch swing. Painted the baker’s rack purple and use it as a plant stand. A few folks have tonato tables up the street Max, my Lab,; was a Craigslist rescue
Erica says
Love this!!!!! I think I will try it. Especially like how you didn’t put prices – “Pay or leave something in exchange.”