Wrightsville Beach Farmers Market opens for the season

WILMINGTON N.C.  (WWAY) — The Wrightsville Beach Farmers Market is now open for the season—and it’s already drawing big crowds.
WWAY’s Charles McKeller shows us how business is doing, while local vendors battle dry conditions.

“I’m working on filling it with things that are native and things that do well in this climate,” said Peterson.

This was Maryland transplant Becky Peterson’s first time at the Wrightsville Beach Farmers Market, and the plant selection didn’t disappoint.

Peterson and dozens of others browsed through offerings ranging from pet accessories and honey to pottery and fresh flowers.

Eighty-eight-year-old Bill Bostic showed off his collection, and his plants have been thriving despite a relentless drought. But why?

“I grow this stuff in my greenhouse. I’ve been growing in my greenhouse in the backyard for about 18 years. I’m blessed,” said Bostic.

But the drought has not been as kind to Kevin Spears.

He has a farm in Willard, North Carolina, where he grows lettuce, potatoes, kale, onions, and other produce. He says recent dry conditions have made it a challenging season for his crops, but he remains optimistic and is looking forward to getting his farm back on track.

“It’s mainly just heat stress and the lack of water. Unfortunately, you can water all you want, but it’s not like the water you get from the good Lord. Do you think the rain from Saturday helped a lot? It helped tremendously. We got the water level in the fields back where I needed it, as far as the moisture content in the soil, so I don’t have to water as much. It will be easier now to stay on top of that moisture level until the next rain comes,” said Spears.

Fortunately, there are more chances for rain this week.

If you missed it today, the Wrightsville Beach Farmers Market runs Monday mornings from now until December 7, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Wrightsville Beach Park and the softball field.