Unusually, last Saturday came and went without my usual amble from market to market, and I didn’t stock up on my much loved week’s worth of fresh organic fruit and vegetables (lazy, lazy, lazy girl!).
Well, I hadn’t realised just how addicted to the stuff I am… and how much cheaper it is to buy organic from a market than from an organic shop, or even (if one must) a supermarket – and I’m having withdrawal symptoms.
What I did find, unexpectedly, whilst on the prowl for some organic soil boosters for my new home’s little patch of ground (soon to become a miniature vegetable garden, hooohah!), was an organic stall with just enough produce to tide me over until the weekend comes around again.
It’s called the ‘Farmstall in the City‘ and is slap-bang in the middle of the Starke Ayres Garden Centre in Rosebank.
A little yelp of delight escaped before I could grab a hold of myself, and I scampered over to see what was on offer…
There wasn’t quite as much variety as one would find at market, but it was enough to quell my cravings for a short while. It is, though, rather more expensive than the Timour Hall Rd Market (Plumstead) – leeks cost R10 a bunch, compared with the latter’s R6; spinach was R10 vs R6 a bunch – so I held back in deference to my currently grouchy purse.
But, at least I know they’re there – only a few minutes’ drive from my new abode… for emergency organic rations!
Ooh, and they do have tasty looking free range lamb and other meat (meat isn’t available at the Timour Hall Rd Market, but is available at the Porter Estate Produce Market), as well as selected fish… which was tempting.
Once I’d gotten over my excitement, and stopped muttering excitedly to no one in particular, I started to notice the rest of the nursery, which seems to be quite comprehensive. They even have a little coffee shop which I’ve since heard is quite good – so I guess I’ll be back soon to sample their coffee (oh, and maybe get my paws on a bit of free range lamb…mmmm).
The Starke Ayres Garden Centre is located at 21 Liesbeek Parkway, Rosebank, Cape Town (map). Tel. 021 6854120. The ‘Farmstall in the City‘ is open Wed to Sun, 10.00 till 17.00. Closed Mon and Tuesday..
DISCLAIMER: Please use any event information as a guide only. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy thereof, things do change – and the best way to make sure something is definitely on is to contact the event organisers themselves. Full bells’n'whistles disclaimer here.
11 Comments
Leave a Reply
Related Posts
‘Tis the season to buy (eco-friendly) roses…
There is nothing like a bunch of beautiful flowers to lift your spirits. And when those flowers smell like... more
10 really good reasons to get a hay box (or make your own)
A hay box is a wondrous thing. So wondrous, in fact, that I am quite astounded more households don't have... more
Recent Posts
Fairtrade Coffee Week 2012
Today marks the start of Fairtrade Coffee Week, a celebration of Fairtrade-certified coffee in South Africa. Over 250 coffee shops around the country will be participating in the event, so keep an eye out for Fairtrade Coffee Week posters. more
Pashasha Pop-up Shop
If you're anywhere near the Fringe District today and are interested in supporting local craft producers, you might like to... more
James on 
I have recently discovered Porters Estate Market in Tokai forest! I love walking around every Saturday morning picking my veg and getting a sneaky taste of all the local cheese from the local areas!
It’s great, isn’t it
I love that market, although the organic vegetables there are more expensive than the smaller markets like the one at the Christian Community Centre in Timour Hall Rd in Plumstead. I tend to go to Tokai for the atmosphere, and to browse the many other stalls, including my favourite ‘Theobroma’ chocolates – but for buying veg I scoot around to Plumstead. Now, though, I’ve moved to Rondebosch, and am within walking distance of the Rondebosch organic market, which is even easier!
I also came across the Farmstall in the City last week, which resulted in us having some of the best lamb chops ever for supper. Organic Karoo lamb is better than anything that comes out of a Pick ‘n Pay fridge.
And thanks very much for the link from your blogroll. Mucho gracias!
Mmmm… sounds fantabulous. I haven’t tried the lamb there yet, but it sounds like I’d better! And yes, organic karoo lamb definitely is better – and not just taste-wise! It costs more, but I’d rather eat meat less often if it means I can have the better-tasting ethically-farmed variety.
Oh, the lamb is THE BEST. We got a leg for Christmas and another recently for a dinner party we held (as you can see, we don;t eat a lot of meat, but when wee do, it’s the good stuff). Superb – I’ll never buy my lamb anywhere else!
Hi Michelle
More and more reasons to try that there lamb out… I’ll definitely be popping in there some time soon
hi
Have only just “got connected” to internet now and am thrilled to see such positive remarks about my shop!!! Thanks guys.
To answer a fer questions, shop hours are Wed to Sun, 10.00 till
17.00.
closed Mon and Tuesday.
Regards
Ruth
Hi Ruth. Thanks for commenting! I just loved your free range duck – got two for my mom for Christmas time, and they were so delicious! I think it’s awesome to have a little farmstall so close to me (I’m in Rondebosch).
I’ll update those times shortly.
Please help! I WOULD LIKE TO ORDER HOME-GRO GOURMET OYSTER MUSHROOM KID!
WHO DO I CONTACT! GIVE ME MORE INFO!
THANX! O72 156 9978
I would like to cultivate my own mushrooms, could I purchaser the spawn from you? Kind regards Marisa