Your source for fruit and vegetable news

Markets have locally-grown pecans, shelled and unshelled, white and red potatoes, collards, cabbage, broccoli, sweet potatoes, different apple varieties, kiwifruit and persimmons.

Some markets also have onions, peanuts and free-range eggs.

Now in its eighth year, the Virginia Gourd Festival will be held Nov. 7-8 at Richards Fruit Market in Middletown, Va. from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Visitors can participate in gourd art classes and much more.

“Tomaccio” cherry tomato available to U.S. market this year

Market News

For $24.95, learn how to create a garden with less space

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Find pecans, greens and fruit

Locally-grown kiwi is selling.

Recipe Corner

Fry up some cabbage, apples

A vegetable harvested well into the winter in most areas, cabbage packs nutrition with its vitamins as well as cancer-fighting properties.

Fried up with some diced apples and onions, cabbage makes a sweet, tasty side dish or entrée.

Cabbage and apples side dish

Features

Gear up for Va. Gourd Festival

Classifieds

Photo courtesy of Virginia Lovers’ Gourd Society

By Bobbie Whitehead

Gardeners interested in salad or sweet dried tomatoes can try a new gourmet cherry tomato variety available this year called “Tomaccio.”

Tomaccio, bred by Hishtil, an Israeli nursery, will receive full introduction this year by C. Raker & Sons Inc., producer of grown-to-order plugs and liners in Litchfield, Michigan. The gourmet cherry tomato plants are available wholesale from Raker to independent retailers and garden centers.