Edibles
Beneficial Botany
Almost everyone enjoys fresh fruit, herbs, and vegetables. It’s no wonder, as these tasty and nutritious items go into so many delicious dishes. Crisp apples and sweet pears taste great whether eaten whole or blended into a smoothie; fresh garden greens are ideal for all types of summer salads; and plump, ripe tomatoes will add delectability to any burger—or are mouthwatering straight off of the grill.
The fruit, herbs, and vegetables found in grocery stores will suffice when need be, but when it comes down to it, there is nothing quite like freshly picked produce grown in an environment we can control. We like to think what we are putting into our bodies is making us healthier, and not more likely to glow in the dark. Our taste buds can also quickly differentiate between a vegetable that has been stored on a truck during transport, and one that has been plucked fresh off the vine. These are just some of the reasons people enjoy growing edible plants right in their own gardens.
The flavor of a strawberry never tastes as sweet as when it’s been harvested right from your backyard. At Farmer’s Market, Chicago’s garden center, we believe the fresher the better —that is precisely why we provide customers with a diverse selection of high-quality herb, fruit, and vegetable plants to choose from.
Earthy Edibles
When you decide to cultivate your own edible plants rather than buying produce from a store, you are able to dedicate yourself to specific growing methods. Whether you purchase a packet of seeds or a starter plant, you have complete control over the environment in which your plants will grow. At Farmer’s Market, we offer many organic and chemical-free supplies from which you may choose, including insecticides, fungicides, potting soils, and fertilizers.
Hearty, edible plant stock is available every growing season at our Chicago neighborhood garden center. We carry everything from leafy spinach and kale, to pumpkin, sweet corn, cauliflower, and strawberry plants (also available in hanging baskets). Our large inventory is constantly changing, always providing a wide selection of edible favorites. Availability varies, but often includes heirloom tomato plants, sweet and savory herbs, and the spiciest pepper plants around.
Make sure to peruse our flourishing herb section, where the traditional and obscure sit side by side in the sun. On any given day you may discover thyme, curled parsley, cinnamon basil, French tarragon, or pineapple sage. Fresh herbs are great to have on hand for cooking and cocktails. Sometimes people even like to include them in decorative containers beside non-edible flowers to add a unique and tasty touch.
During spring and summer you can expect to find an assortment of fruit trees on our lot as well. We typically carry plum, apple, cherry, and occasionally, citrus varieties. Among fruiting shrubs we often offer blackberry, blueberry, gooseberry, and raspberry plants. Additionally, if you are in the market for a certain type of fruit tree or fruiting shrub that we don’t have in stock, there is always a good chance we can order it for you.
Come Visit Us
It is extremely fulfilling to be able to grow your own food— having it right at your fingertips. Whether you need a hint of fresh rosemary for cooking, or a pumpkin to carve up for Halloween, you can have access to these and more by growing them yourself. Kids also enjoy seeing things they plant in the dirt come to life and thrive under their care. It’s like a wonderful sort of magic, and kids are more likely to eat broccoli or bean sprouts they watched grow and mature right before their eyes.
Stop on in our neighborhood Chicago garden center and check out our edibles, from starter plants and micro greens, to onion sets and seed packets. We promise, you will not be disappointed!