Aiken County Farmers Market

Williamsburg Street between Park and Richland Avenues was the site of the Aiken Cotton Platform and Scale. The Farmers' Grange with county chain gang labor erected the current structure, designed by Woodrow Jackson, in the parkway. Work began in 1952 and was completed in 1954. The farmers and their families built the 45 tables, which are still used today. By 1962, cotton was no longer sold at the Market and it had become an open-air curb market where farmers sold homegrown produce, flowers and homemade goods. In 1980, plans were made to sell the property for commercial development. Thanks to the efforts of Rosamond McDuffie & the Aiken Historic Preservation Commission, the Market was rescued. In 2003 the Aiken County Farmers' Market was designated a Landmark in Aiken. It is the oldest (in continuous operation at the same location) county farmers' market in the State of South Carolina.

And approximately when to find them.

FRUITS
Apples ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aug - Dec
Blackberries ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jun 1 - Sept 15
Blueberries ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jul - Aug
Cantaloupes ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jun - Sept
Figs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aug - Sept
Grapes ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Aug - Sept
Peaches
  Clings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ May 15 - Jun 15
  Semi-Freestones ----------------------------------------------------------------- Jun 15 - July 15
  Freestones ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jul 15 - Sept 15
Pears -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aug - Nov
Pecans ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nov
Plums -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- May 31 - Jun 15
Strawberries ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Apr 15 - May 15
Watermelon ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jun 15 - Oct 15

VEGETABLES
Asparagus -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apr 1 - May 15
Beans
  Butter ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jun - Oct
  Green ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ May 15 - Jul 15
  Green - second crop -------------------------------------------------------------- Sept - Frost
Beets -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apr - Jun
Broccoli ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apr - Jun
Cabbage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apr - Jun
Carrots ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apr - Jun
Cauliflower ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apr - Jun
Collards ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oct - Apr
Corn --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jun - Aug
Cucumbers ------------------------------------------------------------------------- May - Frost
Eggplant ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jun - Frost
Greens -All ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oct - May
Kale --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oct - May
Kohlrabi ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oct - Dec
Lettuce ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apr - Jun
Okra -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jun - Frost
Onions ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Oct - Jun
Peas
  Black Eyed, Pink Eyed, Crowder; Lady Finger & White Acre------------------- Jun - Frost
  Butter ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jun - Oct
  English ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apr - May
Peanuts ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jun - Nov
Peppers ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jun - Nov
Potatoes
  Irish ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apr - May
  Sweet ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sept - Jun
Pumpkins --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sept - Nov
Radishes --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apr - May
Rutabagas -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oct - May
Spinach ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apr
Squash ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apr 15 - Frost
Swiss Chard ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Oct - Apr
Tomatoes -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jun - Oct
  Hydroponic Tomatoes ----------------------------------------------------------- Dec - Jun
Turnips ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oct - Dec

The Certified South Carolina program is a new, exciting cooperative effort among producers, processors, wholesalers, retailers and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) to brand and promote South Carolina products. Our goal is for consumers to be able to easily identify, find and buy South Carolina products.

To become a member of the program and be eligible to use the Certified South Carolina Grown logo, the grower must be approved by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. The member shall agree that the SC Grown logo shall only be used on first quality products, grown in South Carolina, that meet the US #1 Quality Grade Standard, or higher U.S. Grade Standards.

Our Aiken Farmers' Market Participants:
Aiken Hydroponics, Inc.
B & M Farms
Butter Patch Jerseys
D. W. Farms
Herb-n-Berries
Hill View Farms
Hollie Farm
James A "Buck" Livingston
MiBek Farms

Find out more at Certified SC Grown

This volunteer program is administered by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service. Introduced to South Carolina in Charleston County in 1981, the Master Gardener program is now offered in 36 counties. Aiken has a thriving program with many friendly and knowledgeable members.

Got a gardening question? Come get answers from the Master Gardeners the first Saturday of each month from April through November. Bring your specimens.


 Find out more at the Aiken Masters Gardeners Website.