St. Petersburg plays host to a plethora of makers’ markets. There are so many, in fact, that sometimes it’s hard to keep up. Check in with us monthly to learn more about the St. Pete market scene, find upcoming events and show your local support by shopping small.
Bring on the blooms! Our local makers’ markets are a great place to find beautiful bouquets. Floral and plant vendors have become a staple at some of St. Pete’s most popular markets, and shoppers may be surprised to learn more about the unique growers behind these beautiful blossoms.
Little Pond Farm
Little Pond Farm, located in Bushnell, Florida, is a fan favorite for fresh blooms at the Saturday Morning Market. Owners Ellen Trimarco and Cole Turner attend the market every weekend, giving you the opportunity to meet your farmers. They proudly grow everything they sell, and all of their flowers are USDA Certified Organic, meaning they have not been exposed to synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers.
“Over the course of the season we grow over 100 cut flower varieties. We grow many non-commercial varieties that can only be found in local markets grown by local farms,” Turner said. Little Pond Farm sells all of their products within 100 miles of their farm, so buying from them helps to support the local economy and to reduce your carbon footprint.
Beyond their market presence, Little Pond Farm offers floral design services and bulk blooms for special events and weddings. They also have a Community Supported Agriculture program (CSA). This means that CSA members pay an annual fee to receive a share of produce throughout the growing season, which can be picked up each week at the Saturday Morning Market. To learn more about all that this farm has to offer, visit https://littlepondfl.com/.
O’Berry’s Succulents
Succulents seem to be a fun gifting trend these days. O’Berry’s Succulents specializes in miniature succulent and cacti landscapes. Their quirky arrangements, often presented in objects like toy dinosaurs or ceramic cats, can be found locally at the St. Pete Indie Market, Saturday Morning Market and the Nights Exchange.
According to Owner Jamie O’Berry: “About 40 percent of our succulents are propagated by us. We started making these gardens in 2010 and we feel we created a style that has become quite popular. What has always made ours different is how we design and fashion the plants to mimic larger landscapes and the custom rock mixture we plant in.”
O’Berry’s Succulents also teaches weekly workshops throughout the Tampa Bay area. Attendees take an educational class about succulent propagation and upkeep, and then they craft a planter or wreath to take home. O’Berry’s also works with restaurant groups to create easy-to-maintain decor, and they’ve even worked with clients on weddings. To learn more, or to sign up for an upcoming workshop, visit http://www.oberryssucculents.com/.
Posies Flower Truck
Posies Flower Truck has quickly become one of the most recognizable floral vendors in our area. Their mobile “bouquet bar” can be found at the St. Pete Indie Market, but it also visits coffee shops and special events on a regular basis.
According to cofounder Stephanie Newton, their truck allows shoppers to build their own bouquets “à la carte”. They have more than 20 varieties of blooms and greens that shoppers choose by the stem. Customers can buy as little or as many as they’d like, and staff will wrap or arrange them. This offers buyers the opportunity to be creative. Their flowers come from several different sources; some blooms are so exotic they are imported from South Africa, Israel and even Holland.
Find Posies Flower Truck at Bandit Coffee Co. every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails every second and fourth Friday. To learn more about this unique local business, including how you can schedule their truck for your special event or host a bouquet-making workshop, visit https://www.posiesflowertruck.com/.
Spring has Sprung!
Now that you have learned more about some of the interesting plant and flower vendors found at our local markets, we invite you to come out and celebrate spring at these upcoming market events:
St Pete Earth Day 2018 – April 21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Historic Williams Park
Green Thumb Festival – April 28-29, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Walter Fuller Park
See you there!
Market Mafia is a resource connecting residents and visitors throughout Greater Tampa Bay with local handcraft markets. Find local happenings and #HitTheMarket, visit www.MarketMafia.com.
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