See Why We Love Owl Creek Produce Auction
From the Inn Keepers…
(2009) Gosh, we had so much fun this morning. We went off to the Owl Creek Produce Auction. You know you’ve been buying too much when the auctioneer has your bidder’s number memorized within the first 30 minutes. This makes my husband very grateful that the auction barn is a 45-minute drive from the inn and the auctions take place in the mornings, so usually, I’m too busy at the inn to get there very often.
This auction is a way for local farmers and producers to get their fresh produce and plants into the hands of restaurants, stores, and the public. It’s located just a few miles off I-71, mid-way between Columbus and Cleveland, so it’s convenient for buyers to pull up, buy what they want, and get back on the highway quickly.
The goods on consignment are whatever is in season, ranging from large lots grown by bigger farms to a single cabbage grown by an Amish family.
The auctioneer usually starts off selling the bigger lots first. There were plenty of yellow squash and zucchinis today. One seller had something called “eight ball zucchini,” which are perfectly round, softball-size zucchinis. I thought they’d be interesting for dinners at the inn, perhaps halved and stuffed, but they were being sold in 4 peck lots, and I just couldn’t use that many. I was disappointed that the local strawberries were more expensive than usual. Flats of 8 quarts were selling for $32. At that price, we won’t be making strawberry jam this year. I guess the weather has been too dry to get a good crop.
I did manage to get some bargains, such as 5 huge tomato plants for $1 each. I really only wanted 2 but they came in a lot of 5, so I guess I’ll share with friends. I also got 8 herb plants in a flat for 50 cents and huge bags of broccoli for a quarter. Then there were the big bags of loose-leaf lettuce that I snagged for $1 each. The best buy of all was two beautiful 5-foot-tall Purple Sand Cherry bushes to plant by the inn gazebo, just $6 each. I bet I’d have paid at least $40 at the nursery for a plant this size.
Products Available at Owl Creek Produce Auction
- Seasonal Vegetable: Cabbage, Asparagus, Onions, Peppers, Tomatoes, Zucchini
- Seasonal Fruit: Strawberries, Blueberries, Pumpkins
- Flower Hanging Baskets
- Chrysanthemums
- Eggs
Owl Creek Produce Location and Hours
Location:
7385 Morrow County Road 22, Fredericktown, OH
Phone Number:
712-432-8579 (Call for market report and auction details.)
Hours of Operation:
May through October – Mondays and Wednesdays at 11:00 AM; Fridays at 10:00 AM
Winters – Every Saturday at 10:00 AM
Book Your Stay at The White Oak Inn
There are so many different adventures that begin at The White Oak Inn. Our charming bed and breakfast is located in the heart of Ohio’s Amish Country and is the perfect home base for exploring the surrounding countryside. Whether you are planning a girlfriend’s getaway or a romantic retreat, our cozy private rooms and cabins are ideal for relaxation. Enjoy a complimentary country breakfast each morning of your stay before you head out on a day full of fun. Then, spend your evenings in a quiet and intimate atmosphere with your favorite someone.