Boundary plants in full bloom

This time of year, when many farmers’ markets are just beginning to draw a good crowd, the Boundary County Farmers’ Market in the far reaches of North Idaho is practically in full swing.

“People come here to buy plants,” says Marsha Semar, market chairwoman. “Most people in this county grow a garden, so they come down here to buy plants.”

“People in Boundary County are more mad about their gardens than anybody,” says Judith Miller, who sells a variety of unique plants and herbs at the market. “Some say it’s because gardening is all there is to do here,” she adds, laughing.

With the market opening before most others in the Inland Northwest, often as early as the last week of April, it’s not uncommon for vendors and customers to battle the lingering effects of winter, including snow.

Miller advises visitors to come prepared “for anything.”

On a recent Saturday the winds whipped up some challenges, knocking plants and vases over and even flipping a vendor’s canopy upside down.

Still, despite the elements, the market perseveres. This Saturday it will celebrate its 25th anniversary with live music, cake and raffles.

“It’s one of the oldest markets in Idaho,” says Sora Huff, who’s been selling organic breads and herbs at the market for about four years.

Though there have been a few years where the market has barely survived, Semar says, “In the last five years it’s gotten very stable. There’s a lot of diversity and the community really supports it.”

Huff adds, “Now that farmers’ markets have become so hip and cool, we’re considered one of the old ones.”

Market shoppers can find a good variety of plants — and as the season progresses, strawberries, raspberries, lettuce, radishes, herbs, garlic, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, corn, plums, apples, squash and more. There even are walnuts and filberts that grow in the back yard of Hobert White, who’s lived in Bonners Ferry since the 1930s.

Early in the growing season, up to 20 vendors set up booths in the parking lot of the Bonners Ferry Visitors Center. Most shoppers come from Boundary County, but some come from Sandpoint, Montana and small towns in the region.

Jackie Reichert says she treks in from Troy, Mont. every other weekend to shop at the market. “I just love coming here,” she says, making a point to peruse each vendor’s offerings.

As the season goes on, the market attracts more tourists, Semar says. After all, Bonners Ferry is one of the last stops before Canada.

In fact, market officials are hopeful that a grant to turn Bonners Ferry into a “Gateway to America” city and build a new visitors center will mean a permanent roof for market vendors (shelter from the snow!) and draw even more visitors.

But it’s pretty safe to say that even if that didn’t happen, the same folks would come to the market every Saturday, if for no other reason than to say “Hi” to one another.

Miller, who has been selling at the market for seven years, says market day is as much a social gathering for her as it is a business opportunity.

Colleen Mooney of Solstice Farms is the social butterfly of the market, flitting from one vendor to another to chat, check out what’s growing in everyone’s gardens this year or simply admire the crafts they’ve brought. She says she likes the camaraderie. “The wind comes up and it’s like ‘Quick!’ Everyone helps one another.”

Semar says, “It’s just really friendly, kind of like how the town is.”