R-P Nurseries Opens Willowdale Farmers’ Market

By Margaret Gilmour

On June 3rd the Willowdale Farmers’ Market wrapped-up it’s first day with seasonal bounty and hand-made wares available from a few nearby farmers and artisans.

“We’re starting small,” says R-P Nursery co-owner Kathy Pratt, who organized the farmers’ market with husband Richard. The nursery, in business since 1866, has been owned and operated by the same family for over 145 years.

The two travel each summer to Maine where they enjoy a farmers’ market in the center of town that sells local goods twice during the week. They wanted to bring the same experience close to home.

“We’ve been talking about opening a farmers’ market at the nursery for a long time,” Kathy Pratt says. “And Willowdale is a great location, in the hub between Unionville and Kennett.”

The market, open Wednesday and Sundays, is the latest addition to Chester County Farmers’ Markets. Now farm-fresh goods are available to us everyday of the week from markets spread throughout our region.

On its first day, four tents shaded the sellers, who were happily awaiting customers in a garden setting filled with plants and creative architectural structures, all for sale.

Featured goods included home-made jams and jellies, honey and soap. There was also home-spun, hand-dyed yarn.

Of course there was also plenty of fresh strawberries (I bought a pound), rhubarb and asparagus. One farmer had eggs on hand, along with a freezer full of free-range poultry.

Within the next couple of weeks Talula’s Table will add their gourmet foods to the mix of delicious eatables available for purchase.

Also included will be Northbrook Market selling their famed apple cider donuts, and there will be a table for Shellbark Hollow Farm’s tasty goat cheese (my first sample was from the Phoenixville Winter Market—and I can’t wait to go back for more.)

For now, small is just fine. I made my purchases while my son visited the nursery’s resident chickens and rooster who runs around managing his brood.

And of course there’s “Turkey Boy,” a colorful wild gobbler who, if you ask him nicely, will puff up his body and spread his tail feathers.

Actually, it sort of feels like being on a farm.

Willowdale Farmers’ Market

R-P Nurseries, 649 Unionville Rd

Wednesdays, 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.