Organic Living - Soil Preparation Workshop: Saturday, February 4; 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Get soiled and have some fun at this hands-on Soil Preparation workshop. The first step to growing delicious, nutritious fruits and vegetables is to grow them in healthy soil. So learn how to prepare and improve your soil, so your produce is top-notch. Bring gloves and a shovel. Cost is $50 per person, $80 per couple. Early registration is $35 per person, $60 per couple. Children are free. 1612 Gentry Street, Clearwater, 727-433-1661, organiclivingforall.com
McGough Nature Park - Sea Monsters Exhibit: Thursday- Sunday, February 2-5; 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Do not miss this travelling exhibit about "monster characteristics" of certain sea creatures. The kids will love learning about the extraordinary traits of these monstrosities, and how they adapt to extreme sea environments by morphing into "Jaws" or becoming glow-in-the-dark. Free. 11901 146th Street N, Largo, 727-518-3047, seatrek.org
Ybor Saturday Market and Food Truck Rally: Saturday, February 4; 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Head to Ybor and satisfy your food truck craving and pick up local produce and other goodies simultaneously. Enjoy Taco Bus, Wicked Wiches, Stinky Buns and several other trucks. The market will be a stone throw's away at Centennial Park. There, you will find great produce at great prices, gourmet foods and sauces, fresh baked breads, fresh eggs, prepared foods, honey, herbs and plants, orchids, pet treats, unique gifts, photography, artwork, jewelry, woodworking, bath and body products, candles, and much more. Centennial Park is at the corner of Eighth Avenue and 19th Street, Ybor, ybormarket.com
Brooker Creek Preserve - From the Garden to the Table Workshop: Saturday, February 4; 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Combine gardening and nutrition in this one-stop workshop. Learn how composting creates the freshest, most nutritious vegetables in your garden. Then make a homemade vegetable soup with your delicious vegetables! Workshop is free but limited to 50 participants, so early registration is recommended. Try your luck and win a gardening door prize. Will be held in Environmental Education Center. 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, 727-582-2109, brookercreekpreserve.org
Grace Lutheran Church — Green Living Expo: Saturday, February 4; 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
"Go Green with Grace" at this exposition dedicated to local farmers, locally-grown food and crafters. Exhibits, activities, learning and fun are promised for the whole family. Hillsborough County Extension gardeners will hold complimentary rain barrel and composting workshops (register at 813-961-8747 or [email protected]). Numerous vendors will be in attendance, such as Java Planet Organic Coffee Roasters, Greyhound Rescue and Tracy's Soaps. Children's Area will be available for the children to frolic in. Stick around after the expo for the Interfaith Prayer Service (1-1:45 p.m.) 3714 W. Linebaugh Avenue, Tampa, 813-961-8747, gracetampa.org
Corey Avenue Sunday Market - Photo Day and Steel Drum Music: Sunday, February 5; 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Add Pet and Family Photo Day and live steel drum music to the list of reasons to visit Corey Avenue Sunday Market. Photo sitting fee is $8 (reservations suggested via 727-363-3200 or lauraallenstudios.com). After you get a photo of Fido, shop for fruits and vegetables, flowers and plants, kettle corn and arts and crafts. Steel drum music will be performed by Lightning Jack, from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Matthews Wildlife Rescue will also be making an appearance. Corey merchants and restaurants will be open for business as well. Always free parking, within walking distance. Located just off Gulf Boulevard, between Blind Pass Road and Boca Ciega Drive in Downtown St. Pete Beach, 727-498-8778, coreyave.com
Fresh Market at Wiregrass Mall: First and third Saturdays (year-round); 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
A short distance from the city's hub, The Shops at Wiregrass. This pedestrian-friendly, outdoor lifestyle village hosts the open-air Fresh Market at Wiregrass Mall, and features over 50 vendors selling local, homemade, handcrafted and eco-friendly products. 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel. TheShopsatWiregrass.com
Green Acre Organics Aquaponic Farm: First Saturdays (year-round); 11 a.m.
Take advantage of this tour of Green Acre Organics' unique aquaponic farm, the first Saturday of each month. Small and large groups are welcome. This event is free. 26452 Richbarn Road, Brooksville, 352-302-7395, greenacreorganics.biz
Guided Hike at Weedon Island Preserve: Every Saturday; 9a.m.-11 a.m.
Guided hikes through coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems of the Preserve are held on most Saturdays of the month. Learn about the coastal environment and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve. Be sure to bring water and a snack for this 2-hour hike. A hat and closed-toe shoes are also recommended. Pre-registration is required by 2 p.m. on the Friday prior to the tour of choice (pre-registration is required). This event is free and open to the public. Recommended ages: 6 and up. Weedon Island Preserve is located 1800 Weedon Drive N.E. St. Petersburg, 727-453-6500, weedonislandpreserve.org
Hyde Park Village Fresh Market- First Sundays (year-round); 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
This market is a must for Hyde Park, South Tampa, Davis Island and Harbor Island residents. Modeled after Tampa Downtown Market and Seminole Heights Sunday Morning Market, Hyde Park Village Fresh Market boasts 50-70 vendors offering fresh produce, handmade arts and crafts, delicious food, live music, cooking demonstrations and a local massage therapist. Leashed dogs are welcome, so bring Fido along. Free admission and parking .742 South Village Circle, Tampa, 813-251-3500, tampabaymarkets.com
Land O Lakes Saturday Market: Saturdays (through May); 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Land O Lakes Saturday Market is a weekly community event with live music. The market donates profits to the Heritage Park Foundation and the Suncoast Harvest Food Bank. They are located at Land O Lakes Community Center, on the west side of US 41 (Land O Lakes Boulevard), three miles north of SR 54 (across from the Land O Lakes Post Office), Land O Lakes, lolsaturdaymkt.com
Safety Harbor Farmers Market- Thursdays (November-May); 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Enjoy organic produce, plants and fresh flowers, gourmet foods, baked goods, snacks, plants and fresh flowers and handmade jewelry at Safety Harbor Farmers Market. Located at the Gazebo at John Wilson Park. 401 Main Street, Downtown Safety Harbor, 727-724-1572, cityofsafetyharbor.com
St. Pete Saturday Morning Market: Every Saturday, (October-May); 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Featuring locally-grown fresh produce, prepared foods, tempting baked goods, handcrafted gifts, plants, flowers, herbs, live music, and more. Downtown St. Petersburg in the Al Lang Stadium parking lot (1st Avenue S. and 1st Street, St. Petersburg, saturdaymorningmarket.com
Tampa Downtown Market: Fridays (October- May); 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
This market is a community of local farmers and producers, who take pride in providing local residents and businesses with quality, nutritious, reasonably-priced food and gourmet products. Tampa Downtown Market is located on the 200 and 300 blocks of Twiggs Street, spanning Franklin Street, in the heart of downtown Tampa. Metered parking is available on nearby streets, and several parking lots and garages are available throughout downtown, including MAAS Lot (across the street from the market), Jackson Street City Lot, Poe Garage and Fort Brooke Garage. Twiggs Street and Franklin Street, Tampa, tampadowntownmarket.com
Urban Oasis Hydroponic Farm Market: Fridays 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Get fresh produce grown organically and hydroponically, straight from this CSA farm in nearby Carrollwood. No chemical pesticides are used. Urban Oasis Hydroponic Farm opens to the public for this weekly market. 5416 West Linebaugh Avenue, Tampa, 813-293-FARM (3276); urbanoasisfarm.com
