The best of this year's Alaska broccoli and cauliflower are hitting the markets now

Farmers are the ultimate realists.

And the reality is, things are changing. But it's not necessarily bad news.

"Labor Day is behind us, and we farmers begin to feel the urgency of the end of the growing season," says Sarah Bean of Arctic Organics and the Anchorage Farmers Market. "Thankfully, the weather is giving us a reprieve. We juggle whether to allow the crops to continue to grow and size up, or to get them out of the ground while the getting is good. And good it is, with no chance of freezing fingertips or toes in the week's forecast!

"It's time to take advantage of the crops that do not survive a frost very well like celery, fennel, dill, chard and the last of the apples."

Lesley Dinkel of Dinkel's Veggies says the recent weather has been good for some crops.

"Our tomatoes have boosted back up in production with the recent sunshine we had," she says. "We are also happy with our broccoli and cauliflower right now. It's the best of the season."

And regardless of the weather, ice cream is always a favorite of Alaskans. After taking the holiday weekend off, Wild Scoops will be back at the South Anchorage Farmers Market on Saturday.

Elissa Brown says several customer-favorite flavors will be on the menu. Highlights include "the start of our spiced autumn flavor lineup" with Mountain Chai, a chai tea-based ice cream with spiced almonds; basil honey walnut with Alaska Sprouts basil and chunks of handmade honey-glazed walnuts; dairy-free coconut currant featuring Alaska red currants; and the always popular Sitka Swirl, with homemade salted caramel made with Sitka sea salt.

Anchorage Farmers Market

Vendors scheduled for Saturday's market include Arctic Organics, Brown Dog Farm, Mom's Garden, Seldovitch Farm, Stockwell Farm, VanderWeele Farm, Vang Family Farm, Alaska Sea-Ag fertilizers, the Persistent Farmer and Turkey Red baked goods.

Bean says Arctic Organics will have a larger selection of potatoes, including Magic Molly purple, desirée, pimpernel, yellow Finn, German butterball and Yukon gold varieties. Other produce includes Brussels sprouts, carrots (loose and in 5- and 10-pound bags), broccoli, celery, green and red cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, red bell peppers, snow apple and purple top turnips, zucchini, beets, radishes, kohlrabi, kales, greens mix, arugula and a variety of other items.

Northway Mall Wednesday Market

The Northway Mall market is one of three that Dinkel's Veggies will attend on Wednesday, and they'll also be at both the Muldoon and Spenard farmers markets on Saturday.

Lesley Dinkel says to look for carrots, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, green and yellow zucchini, green beans, Yukon gold and red potatoes, cauliflower and sweet onions.

Center Market

Alex Davis says it's a sweet time to stop by the Center Market, as he has six varieties of homemade jam available. Flavors include blueberry, blueberry rhubarb, golden raspberry, golden raspberry rhubarb, strawberry and strawberry rhubarb.

Davis also has loads of pork cuts, including chops, loin roast, bratwurst and sausages; produce that includes salad mix, tomatoes, four varieties of cauliflower, zucchini, beets, lettuce, kale and carrots; eggs; Alaska Sprouts items; and barley products from Alaska Flour Co.

Duane Clark will be at Wednesday's market with produce, honey, jams, salsa, and grass-fed beef and yak cuts.

South Anchorage Farmers Market

More than two dozen vendors are lined up for the Saturday market.

Rempel Family Farm will have loads of vegetables, including carrots in a variety of colors, green beans, tomatoes, cauliflower, bok choi, beets and beet greens, zucchini, herbs and 12 varieties of potatoes.

Drool Central will be at the market with both fresh-baked treats and frozen meals for dogs. Drool Central will also be at Thursday's APU Farmers Market.

Farm 779 is highlighting a coconut almond snack mix, three options of coconut kefir, vegetable blends, krauts, kimchi and beet kvass. Also look for Farm 779 at Wednesday's Center Market.

La Grassa will have garlic and herb hand-cut noodles on Saturday, along with its original and organic spinach noodles. Other pasta options include roasted red pepper and goat cheese ravioli and Alaska broccoli and asiago ravioli.

Steve Edwards lives and writes in Anchorage. Contact him at akmarketfresh@gmail.com.

Local farmers markets

Monday in the Valley: Colony Farmers Market, noon-7 p.m., Palmer Depot

Tuesday outside of Anchorage: Eagle River Farmers Market, 3-7 p.m., VFW Post parking lot; Farmers Fresh Market, 3-6 p.m., 33955 Community College Drive, Soldotna; Southside Community Farmer's Market, 4-7 p.m., Intercultural Assembly of God, Fairbanks

Wednesday in Anchorage: Center Market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street; Northway Mall Wednesday Market, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Northway Mall; South Anchorage Wednesday Market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Dimond Center

Wednesday outside of Anchorage: Homer Farmers Market, 2-6 p.m., Ocean Drive near the Washboard; Soldotna Wednesday Market, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Soldotna Creek Park; Tanana Valley Farmer's Market, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 2600 College Road, Fairbanks; Wasilla Farmers Market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Iditapark, Wasilla

Thursday in Anchorage: APU Farmers Market, noon-6 p.m., 4101 University Drive

Thursday in Peters Creek: Peters Creek Farmers Market, 3-8 p.m., American Legion Post 33, 21643 Old Glenn Highway

Friday outside of Anchorage: Willow Farmers Market, 2-7 p.m., Mile 69 Parks Highway

Saturday in Anchorage: Anchorage Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 15th Avenue and Cordova Street; Center Market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street; Muldoon Farmers Market, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Begich Middle School; South Anchorage Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., O'Malley Sports Center; Spenard Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 2555 Spenard Road

Saturday outside of Anchorage: Homer Farmers Market, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Ocean Drive near the Washboard; Kenai's Saturday Market, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 11471 Kenai Spur Highway; Nenana Farmers Market, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Civic Center on Main Street; Tanana Valley Farmer's Market, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 2600 College Road, Fairbanks

Sunday in Fairbanks: Tanana Valley Farmer's Market, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 2600 College Road