Farmers' Markets Brim With Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, Jams, Plants, Music and Laughter

Full disclosure: I had to leave Connecticut in May for a job in the D.C. area, and I'm pleased with my decision. But that doesn't mean there isn't a tug at my heart from Milford, where I spent over a dozen summers, when farmers' market season rolls around.

So let's start with the Downtown Milford Farmers Market. It is held every Saturday, June 17 through Oct. 14, except on Oyster Fest Saturday (Aug. 19), from 9 AM to 1 PM. Get there early, right as they open, and you'll gobble up the best squash, cucumbers, and (my favorite) peaches. Also remember to pluck jams or fresh flowers and plants from the myriad vendors who come in from all points throughout the Nutmeg State. Kids can devour popsicles, Mom can get her pierogie-on-wheels fix, Dad can rock out to any number of musical acts who grace the space - located at 58 River Street, right by the train station, in the parking lot behind Corner Convenience and Scratch Baking.

Of course, Milford isn't the only town in the state to take advantage of Connecticut's bounty of agricultural riches this time of year. Head to:

- Goshen Farmers Market at Miranda Vineyard - 42 Ives Road

They make wines onsite, tout organic produce, maple syrup, raw honey, hand-crafted soaps, fiber and wooden crafts, baked goods, food and beverages, and the ubiquitous-at-farmers-markets live music. Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, July 8 to September 30.

- New Haven, City Seed Wooster Square Farmers Market:

Russo Park, at DePalma Court and Chapel Street

Located in the historic Wooster Square, the market can brag it has some of the freshest of the fresh fruits and veggies in the state, as well as chicken, seafood, beef, goat cheese, herbs, dairy products, homespun wool, and bath and body products. There are several other City Seed markets; check them

out.

- Greenwich Farmers' Market: Commuter Parking Lot off Exit 3 at Arch Street and Horseneck Lane

This farmers' market offers annuals and perennials, fresh herbs, greens, robust greenhouse tomatoes, jellies, cheeses, pastries, farm fresh milk and eggs, freshly cut roses, and more. Its producers-only policy means that the items you'll buy come straight from the farm or crafter! Pets are not permitted, so don't you dare leave Fido in the car. Plan ahead. May 20 into December; Saturdays, 9:30 AM - 1 PM.

Click here for a marvy list of what's in season and when in the great state of Connecticut.

PHOTOS: City Seed Farmer's Market in New Haven always draws a crowd. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Images, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25539498; Radishes are in season in the state May through September. Photo from Wikimedia Commons Images, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:\Bunch of radishes.jpg; cucumber - Wikimedia Commons Images: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5f/Cucumber1.jpg; and Rhododendron image, a blossom along the Appalachian Trail in Salisbury, Connecticut, from Wikimedia Commons Images: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=rhododendron+connecticut&title=Special:Search&go=Go&searchToken=827mhoeariiug8bxqbrbzq6d#/media/File:Rhododendron_prinophyllum_in_Salisbury,_CT.jpg