Grown In Connecticut: Rain Caused Delays But Didn't Stop Suntan

Mid-August through mid-September is peak picking season in Connecticut, according to Rick Macsuga of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, and the rain didn't do much harm at all. 

"The rain, the rain, the rain," he said. "It's not a welcome sight but it's also not killing anybody."

Macsuga said a month's worth of rain fell in two days and the farmers are tolerating muddy fields.

"Their biggest problem is they lost two days of picking, it's basically a headache and a delay."

And, according to Macsuga, there is a lot to pick.

"It is our peak for fruits and vegetables," he said. "We have lots available, this is a very good time to buy local."

Macsuga said peppers are still coming in strong and this that the "suntan" is the most recent pick. "It's green and it's basically turning red and it's not quite there, that's what we call a suntan."

Macsuga said there are two new apple varieties available, the Paula red and ginger gold. He said they are both sweet, early apples and that the they should be available for about three weeks."

Also, Clapp pears are available. 

"It's the first pear of the season, they are available for two and a half to three weeks, then we'll move on to the next variety."

Macsuga also said blueberry season is winding down and blackberry season is here.

What's fresh this week: 

Peppers: all kinds

Musk melon

Honeydew 

Baby watermelons

Summer squash: all kinds

Sweet corn

Cucumbers

Peaches

Plums

Nectarines

Cabbages: red, yellow savoy

Green beans: green, yellow

Carrots

Potatoes: all kinds

Eggplant: all kinds

Tomatoes: all varieties

Beets

Kale

Swiss Chard

Where to find them: 

The Ledyard Farmers’ Market is on Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Ledyard Town Center at the Fair Grounds. www.ledyardfresh.com, WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted.

The Norwich Uncas Farmers’ Market is on Mondays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Uncas on the Thames, 401 West Thames Street, 100 Campbell Building. WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted, SNAP/EBT.

The Norwich Downtown Farmers’ Market is on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the boat marina in Howard Brown Park on Route 2. WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted.

The Preston Farmers’ Market is on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Preston Plains School on Route 164. WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted.