April is a lively time: It’s time to begin prepping the garden

April is a lively time at the Beaverton Farmers Market as the growing season begins to wake up across the Pacific Northwest. Gardeners flock to the market stalls to browse trays of plant starts. Vendors will have everything from hardy lettuces and kale to snap peas, pansies and petunias. Stop by Pumpkin Ridge Gardens, The Hardy Bunch, Gathering Together Farm and Sun Feast Farm to find the perfect plants for this season. It’s the time to begin prepping the garden for the season: loosening soil, mixing in compost, and planning rows for cool-weather crops. Many vendors are happy to share planting tips and to help shoppers choose the right starts for April planting, so their gardens can thrive once warmer days arrive.

Alongside the plant starts, the market also begins to showcase the first wave of fresh early spring produce. Shoppers can often find tender greens, radishes, green onions, and herbs that capture the bright flavors of the season. These ingredients reflect the transition from winter to spring, bringing crisp textures and vibrant color back to the kitchen. For lovely, thin asparagus, visit the ProFarm stall. H&A Family Farm will also be back in April, bringing a great selection of early spring produce. Many visitors stroll the aisles with a coffee in hand, filling their bags with fresh selections that were harvested just hours before the market opened.

The Beaverton Farmers Market is also known for its incredible lineup of hot food vendors, making it easy to turn a market shopping trip into a full brunch stop. The smell of sizzling food drifts through the aisles as vendors prepare favorites like golden, plant-based empanadas from Masa Empanadas, savory SPAM musubi from Moosubi & Shave Ice, and towering breakfast sandwiches stacked with fried eggs from Whole Lotta Loaf. A new vendor at BFM is Banger Brothers, whose German specialties will be an exciting addition to the hot food lineup.

The market’s bakeries always feature tempting treats for shoppers, too. You’ll find a wide range of baked goods, from the novelty mochi creations at Kookido to the gluten-free, dairy-free, organic superseed breads from Good Friend (formerly Not Bread). Cookie lovers gravitate toward famously satisfying Nate’s Oatmeal Cookies, while other vendors display trays of fresh pastries and handmade baked goods.

With so many options, it’s easy to leave the market with both a box of garden starts and a bag of treats to enjoy at home. See you at the market on Saturday!