The produce of spring is getting ahead of Sacramento's certified farmers markets, but not by much. Locally grown strawberries, asparagus, spinach and chard are starting to arrive at the four farmers markets open year round, and likely still will be available when six additional markets make their seasonal debut the first week of May. And if they're gone, well, cherries and early nectarines, apricots and peaches should be arriving then.

The farmers-market landscape will be a little different this year. The market at Elk Grove Regional Park is moving from Thursday evenings to Wednesdays to avoid conflict with a music festival in the park each August, reports Dan Best, director of the Sacramento markets. Also, the Elk Grove market is being extended an hour. It will be from 4-8 p.m. Wednesdays instead of 4-7 p.m. Thursdays, starting May 2.

The Wednesday evening market at Natomas High School won't resume this year because not enough customers showed up, says Best.

Elsewhere, farmers markets will operate as usual. The year-round markets are 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays at Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights, 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays at Country Club Plaza at Watt and El Camino, 8 a.m.-noon Sundays on the state parking lot at 8th and W streets, and 8 a.m.-noon Thursdays at the Florin Sears at Florin Road and 65th Street.

In addition to the Elk Grove site, other seasonal markets will be 8 a.m.-noon Sundays at Cosumnes River College starting May 6, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tusdays at Roosevelt Park at 9th and P streets starting May 1, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays at Fremont Park at 16th and P streets starting May 1, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays at Chavez Plaza at 10th and J streets starting May 2, and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursdays at Downtown Plaza at 4th and K streets starting May 3.