Traveling around the world and checking out flea markets is a favorite pastime of mine. I have been to flea markets in Paris, London, Australia, Moscow, Israel, Belgium, Budapest – yes, even Budapest; in fact, one of my favorite pastel came from their flea market. I don’t travel anywhere without asking about the local flea market.  I Love them.

Every flea market I’ve seen had it’s on special style and stuff offered.  If you want copper pots, go to Paris; paintings, go to Belgium. If you want silver, go to London. If you want great garden stuff, go to Raleigh. The south specializes in garden stuff.  Think about, we (the south) invented porch life. Sitting on the porch during hot, sultry nights, admiring the moon flowers, sipping tea, wine or mint julep, is a way of life and a long life at that.  Many parts of the south have us sitting on the porch 9 months of the year. What’s on our porches? Containers, chairs, swings, gliders, accents, tables, and such.

The Raleigh flea market held on the grounds of the State’s fair is one of the best I know.

The kids fill up on hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, smoothies, lemonade, ice cream, pizza, etc.  Mom (me) takes a tax from each purchase by way of a bite, handful, pinch, or lick. The kids have come to accept this; I have come to regret it.

The Raleigh flea market has an enormous selection of cool stuff, but I’m usually there for gardening stuff. There are chairs, pots, birdhouses, plants, stars, chickens (metal), stained concrete garden accents, old tools, new all-weather wicker, etc. Pretty much, if I’m looking for something, I’ll find it there.

Helen's Haven new bottle tree - with fish bottles

A good case in point, is the new bottle tree I’m making. I picked up the “tree” in Mann’s Harbor, NC and decided to make it a fish bottle tree.  Sure enough, the flea market had 3 on Sunday in my price range (under $5.00 each.) Who knew? I knew?  Now you do too.

Open year round weekends, except during the 3 weeks around the State fair.  For 2009, the last weekend BEFORE the flea market closes to prepare for the fair is September 26/27.
Although it is open most of the year, the highest number of dealers is in the spring – April and May and in the fall – September. Also right after the flea market re-opens after the fair is also a great weekend around the first week in November.

The only drawback, there is no on-sight shipping.

See y’all at the Raleigh flea market!

Helen Yoest is a garden writer and coach through her business Gardening with Confidence™

Follow Helen on Twitter @HelenYoest and her facebook friend’s page, Helen Yoest or Gardening With Confidence™ Face Book Fan Page.

Helen also serves on the board of advisors for the JC Raulston Arboretum