Dear readers,

    Remember how I told you about the night market on the square during Christmas? And how there were carved Tagua nuts, mosaic Turkish lamps, and fluffy Belgian waffles? Well, apparently, the market has returned in a different form! This time, instead of holiday ornaments and goods, we found a farmers market with vegetables, fruits, bread and more. Vendors ranged from local farmers and fishers to bakers and maple syrup producers. My favorite though, I have to say, was the assortment of flowers and potted plants on the square.

    I walked into the tents, only to be surrounded by tables lined with beautiful plants (and quite a few buzzing creatures). There were rose bunches of a faint pink hue, tall orchids reflecting royal purple and cream colors and bright, round sunflowers showcasing the delightfulness of sunshine.

    Much to my surprise, there were also many pots of herbs and vegetables. One Thai pepper plant, for example, resembled little shining red lights on a Christmas tree. Apparently, these peppers are more pleasant to look at than to consume. In another three by three inch pot grew lettuce. Its layers of leaves seemed to be growing beyond the capacity of the pot, extending out of the perimeter by a few inches. Among other edible plants were herbs like rosemary and basil. I have seen pots of these plants placed on the dining tables of some restaurants.

    Besides the wide array of fresh flowers and pots of plants, I was amused by the bundles of dried flowers. The coxcomb/celosia bunches were the most common. They were thicker than most other flowers and had a fuzzy texture, which supposedly makes them more ideal for drying. I learned that there are many ways of preserving flowers, such as freezing them with liquid nitrogen, immersing them in silica gel, and of course, hang-drying them.

    There were plenty of people in the square. In fact, hosting vendors at popular parks and squares in NYC is not uncommon at all. For instance, Madison Square Park and Smorgasburg in Brooklyn both host popular food markets with a diverse selection of good eats.

    I’m glad I was able to discover the market filled with the lovely flowers, both fresh and dry, that signal a transition to the new season. As the breeze starts slipping through our windows, we know the cooler days of autumn have arrived.

    Sincerely,

    Bingyin