On Friday afternoon we decided to drive to the produce auction on Speck Ridge Road.
This is a smaller venue than Casey County Produce Auction which has been a fairly frequent destination when we are hoping to buy canning tomatoes later in the season.
Both auctions are run by Amish/Mennonite communities and many of the vendors are local Amish who raise early veg and flowers in greenhouses.
I sneaked this distance shot of Amish men waiting for the sale to begin. We noticed this was a different group of Amish--no familiar faces.
The auction was scheduled for 4:30. Jim decided we should be there early--which we certainly were. An hour's wait as the auctioneer didn't get started until 5.
I couldn't understand his rapid chanting; even J. who is accustomed to auctions found this man difficult to follow.
Most of the vendors arrived in horse-drawn conveyances. I was amused by this 'unequally yoked' team----a mule and a horse
I had driven to the big greenhouse/nursery next door to the auction barn, but still had time to wander along the hitching rails and enjoy the horses.
This horse was very muscular, perhaps more of a draft horse heritage than the usual finer-boned buggy horse.
This one amused me--a typical 'Amish haircut!'
We didn't see this one arrive--a miniature horse with a miniscule cart in tow.
Most of the offerings were bedding plants in flats and hanging baskets.
Beautiful in full bloom, perhaps intended to be at their best for Mother's Day gifts and will now shortly need some grooming.
Most of the flowering plants are bought up by small retailers. Some will go to seasonal 'stands;' others will likely be sold from the back of a pickup truck from a parking lot. This is how Jim purchased the hanging basket which he gifted me last month.
The plants sell in lots for prices that are dishearteningly low for the vendors, making it possible for the retailers to enjoy a large mark-up.
There was only a small amount of fresh produce on offer--we came home with asparagus, beets, small early cabbage, cucumbers --all but the asparagus raised in 'hoop houses' or cold frames.
What a wonderful auction - SO different to the produce sales we went to when we lived in Dorset. That was mostly seasonal produce, and hedging saplings, summer bedding and then fruit/veg in season. I'd have loved the horsey element, and those pre-planted flowers for summer planting are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThe wee pony must be much-loved by his equally small owner, and I have never seen a mule and a horse harnessed together before. (Unless that is the real "mule in horse harness" that Rhett Butler spoke of to Scarlett! Thank you for sharing.
Jennie; As the season goes into summer and harvest time the auctions offer much more in the way of produce, although early fall brings on rows of potted 'mums.' Prices can vary wildly due to bidders present as well as availability and quality of produce.
DeleteI enjoy people watching and the horses.
Hello and thanks for visiting my blog. I imagine an Amish Farmers market would be a great place to buy quality products. I'd be walking around visiting the horses too.
ReplyDeleteGM; I often visit your blog but I admit to being lazy re leaving comments. I must try to do better! I must say that usually the produce that most interests us is among the last lots to go up for bid. Especially in hot weather these auctions aren't for those unprepared to stand. Taking a folding chair could be a good idea.
DeleteI don't think I would enjoy an auction, trying to understand someone would be annoying. Would rather just have things for sale and decide I'm ok or not with the price. Cute little cart and little pony. Popped in from a mutual friends blog, it's always fun to meet new bloggers.
ReplyDeleteSandy; Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment. I would never try to bid at an auction--each auctioneer has his own sing-song style, some impossibly rapid. There are also two local Farmer's Markets with groups of stalls and prices marked on small signs. The markets aren't at convenient times for us, so we venture to the auctions several times per season to supplement what we have in our own garden.
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