I'm thinking of specializing in berries, since our market is only during the summer. Planted some strawberries this year so have a June crop but most years they aren't ripe June 1. Also planted 3 different types of raspberries and 1 thornless blackberry (our wild blackberries are the extra-thorny type), plus 3 different types (2 plants each) cultivated blueberries to complement our wild blueberries (which haven't produced much in the past 3 years but now look like a bumper crop this year!). So, you have to think about your market season, and make sure you have something *every week*. I might be able to pad out the end of the season with jams and jellies, but beginning of the season the jars are almost a year old - unless I freeze fruit and make jam in May. I am growing the typical high-season veggies to try to fill in while my berries get established, and b/c I never know how the wild berries are going to do each year. Plus I can a lot so if they don't sell, I can always use tomatoes, peppers and cukes. Going to go easy on the squash - everybody has it. I'm also trying to do a few different varieties of hot peppers (though last year no one wanted to buy anything hotter than a serrano so next year might just plant enough for us) and the heirloom tomatoes just to try to make my stuff stand out a bit more (plus we like them). Also planted some snow peas and edamame. Trying potatoes and onions too this year - even if I don't get a harvest before market ends, I figure I can sell green onions and new potatoes, and let people know they can always come directly to me in October for the mature crop (plus I had ripe peppers still being harvested last Oct), that might also draw them in for the apples (trying to renovate the old orchard) and pumpkins, winter squash if I have room to plant any this year. That sounds like a lot (and it is), but once I have enough berry plants ripening in different months to assure a continuous summer harvest for market, I may just plant enough high-season stuff for our own use (which is still a lot if I want to preserve it), and maybe some asparagus for early market (the chard, kale and peas are still puny - I planted late b/c of weather, but we'll see how they sell this year). I'd like to get all my cash crops in perennials if possible. I don't think you can specialize in just *one* thing b/c the seasons are just too short.

Good thoughts and prayers for Budster's MIL and family. (((((MIL, Budster and family))))). ole joyful

Praying that God will shelter Budster and her MIL in his protective embrace! Blessings tonya

Good luck, Glenda. When I taught pre-K I got sick twice a year-the sick that lasts and lasts. Once I retired--none of that, so you're right in being fearful of those children. Why parents take them around others is selfish to me. If I were you, I'd stick close to home in case your immunity has been compromised--don't expose yourself to anything else. Good luck!!