BERLIN — Wet weather followed by hot, humid days is a bad thing for people. Plants, not so much.

Warm early season temperatures and a bevy of rain could produce a bountiful crop, even in the Nourth Country, where markets in Berlin, Bethlehem, Tamworth, Lancaster, Littleton and Jackson are gearing up for a long season.

For home gardeners who took advantage of the early spring and tilled their garden plots, the first crops of summer have already been harvested.

Spinach, arugula, cilantro, loose-leaf and head lettuces, all are growing abundantly in the warm, then wet, then warm, weather cycle.

You don't have to have time to plant and weed your own garden to benefit. Those natural hues and fresh tastes are available now at the markets. Also available are fresh-baked goods and other homemade products.

The Berlin Farmers' Marketplace opens at 3 p.m. Thursday on Pleasant Street in downtown Berlin and runs until 7 p.m. The Women's Rural Entrepreneurial Network operates the market in Berlin as well as the market in Bethlehem, which is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

At the two locations, vendors include hand-crafted products and baked goods. Among the new vendors this year in Berlin are Morningstar Acres of Lunenburg, Moon Shadow Farm and Davis Brothers. On opening day, kids will get balloons and live music will be provided by Heather Pierson.

On Saturday at the Bethlehem market, shoppers can listen to the music of Erin Kuzmeskus from noon to 2 p.m., plus enjoy farmers' market omelets, and pick up everything from fresh strawberries to local alpaca products.

Weekend days are a popular time for other markets in the regions north of the lakes.

The Tamworth Farmers' Market runs from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays at the Unitarian Church parking lot in Tamworth Village. The Lancaster Farmers Market, located at Centennial Park, also runs from 9 a.m. to noon.

The Littleton Farmers' Market at 77 Glenn River Lane runs Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Colebrook Farmers' Market takes place at 84 Colby St. on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. If you're in Jackson on any given Saturday, stop by the village between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. for the market, beginning in July.

For a complete listing of farmers' markets around the state, go to www.nhfma.org.

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Sara Young-Knox may be reached at syoungknox@newstote.com.