Boulder County Farmers Markets: At the Market: Local artisans offer gifts for every occasion

Boulder County Farmers Markets

Picture this: a flower farm tucked between the rolling hills and dirt roads of Boulder County. Peony stems blow with the breeze as water trickles through the creek that snakes through the property. In the winter, the greenhouse serves as a warm, humid oasis from Colorado's bitter and dry climate.

And if that's not charming enough, an old schoolhouse with the year 1887 engraved into the brick still stands, letting visitors know that this kind of beauty has existed in Boulder County for a long, long time.

This isn't the scene of a Disney movie — instead, it's Chet and Kristy Anderson's fresh herb and flower farm in Longmont. They moved to this property in the 1980s and started their farming journey with vegetables. The Andersons hit their stride selling gourmet salad greens for restaurants and grocers throughout the Rocky Mountain region until, eventually, other farmers caught on to the specialty crop. Adaptable as farmers always are, the Andersons pivoted and set their sights on a new endeavor: ornamental flower farming.

It's difficult now to imagine the Andersons farming anything other than flowers and herbs: Their impeccable eye for beauty becomes apparent when you visit the farm. The fields are neat and tidy, the greenhouse is exquisitely organized, and their storage space is mindfully decorated with news clippings and photos detailing the farm's history.

The farm doubles as a special event venue in the summer, featuring lush green backdrops mixed in with their historic brick buildings.

Combine their eye for beauty with a passion for farming, and it's no surprise that the Fresh Herb Co. has become such a staple in the Boulder County farming community. In addition to building their thriving business, the Andersons have played a pivotal role in making Boulder County Farmers Markets what it is today: Chet was one of the seven farmers who founded the market, and Kristy served on the board of directors from 2012 to 2018.

After taking a break from the farmers markets after the pandemic, we couldn't be more thrilled to have them back at the Boulder Saturday market full time this season. In addition to their wide selection of culinary herbs, expect to see their lilies, peonies and sunflower bouquets throughout the season. Plus, they offer gorgeous houseplants — including jaw-dropping mature jade plants — that simply cannot be found elsewhere.

Be sure to visit them this Saturday for the perfect Mother's Day gift. With graduation coming up this week, too, the markets have you covered for all of your gift-giving needs.

Whether you’re looking for the most vibrant hanging basket for mom, artisan goods for a college graduate or simply want to treat yourself to something beautiful, visit our farmers markets this week for unique, local gifts.

Hanging baskets and cut flowers: Ring in spring by surprising mom with local flowers. In addition to the Fresh Herb Co., we have a handful of local flower farms and greenhouses to shop from this week.

At our Boulder Wednesday Market, stop by Idlewild Flower Farm for one-of-a-kind floral arrangements that are both whimsical and timeless. On Saturday, check out our Ogallala Farm in Boulder for beautiful hanging baskets in every color, or swing by McConnell and Sons in Longmont for all of your floral needs.

DIY foodie basket: Some of the best gifts are the ones we can eat. For the person who has everything, food baskets are the perfect gift to surprise them with. We recommend pairing sweets — like handcrafted chocolate from Corey's Chocolate or desserts like rich brownies from RawEvolution — with a local wine from Bookcliff Vineyards or a bubbly bottle of cider from Haykin Family Cider. Throw in pantry enhancers like Bjorn's Colorado Honey, Dry Storage flour, Parpadelle's Pasta, and Healthy Harvest's extra-virgin olive oil to upgrade every meal with Colorado flavor.

Artisan goods: From jewelry to candles to pottery, our artisan markets truly have it all. This Saturday, our artisan market in Boulder will host over two dozen local artists and makers from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the perfect last-minute shopping opportunity.

The best part? No matter what you choose, every purchase benefits our local economy and small businesses. We hope to see you at the markets this week.

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