Edisto Realty News
July The Month For Edisto Vegetables
Jul 18th, 2007 Sure, tomatoes and sweet corn start in late June along with the island blueberries, but the 4th of July really kicks off summer vegetable season.
Whether you grow your own, have friends who supply you, or visit one of the island vegetable stands nothing beats fresh from the garden produce.
Edisto tomatoes are known for their readily identifiable, unique flavor. Many people think it’s the sandy soil that’s the key. And while tomatoes are Edisto’s signature crop in years past the island has grown commercial quantities of cucumbers, watermelons, corn, onions, peppers, potatoes, butterbeans, and in fall and winter cabbage and turnips. Many a meal on Edisto has been made from whatever vegetable just started coming in. Fresh corn? Just add butter and salt. Tomatoes, white bread and mayonnaise and you have a meal.
Edisto is proud of its vegetable stands and the availability of fresh local produce. The folks at Edisto Realty encourage all of our visitors to enjoy this island tradition.
Where do we shop? Well this is not an advertising endorsement but here’re some starting places:
George and Pink’s is an island tradition known for it’s boiled peanuts and Miss Pink’s friendly greeting. They stock all the common vegetables in a low country shed made festive by bird houses and the family dogs resting outside. An occasional chicken may walk by and Miss Pink will have some good gospel music playing to pass the time. You’ll get good vegetables, local information, and know that this is real Edisto. To find it coming from the beach turn right just past Main’s Market on the dirt road, a short distance down you’ll see it on the right.
You’ll see King’s Market as you come on the island. King’s has a wide assortment of relishes, is known for their tomato pie and other pre-made dishes. Many of the vegetables and fresh flowers are grown right there behind and beside the sales shed. Even the shed is an inviting cool spot on a fiery hot July day. And yes, they’re local people.
Finally, Geechie Boy sits on the site of the Geechie Boy packing shed just after you cross Russell Creek coming onto the island. This year they started with home grown strawberries (you pick or they pick) and you can be sure when they’re open for business it means they have something they grew to sell. One year it was gourds in a cornucopia of sizes shapes and colors. Other times it’s tomatoes or corn. It’s always good and always plentiful. Because they are commercial farmers there are times when they are not open so it’s good to stop in on your way on or off the island.
So get those fresh veggies, pick up some local shrimp, put your feet up and get in the Edisto mood. That’s what vacation is all about and we hope you’ll enjoy yours here with us.
