Star Light Gardens

Once the leaves start to fall and the cycles of seasonal change begin to take hold, there is just no denying in which direction we are headed. We get a similar feeling when the first of our seasonal markets ends for the year. Yesterday was the last Sunday Chester Market of 2026 and what can we say we miss it already. Sure the rain tried to dampen yet another Sunday but the threat of bad weather was nothing compared to the hunger and devotion of all of you. We have to give a special shout out to all the market staff but especially for Sue who does a tremendous job managing such a large and successful market. They even go so far as to throw a market party for all the vendors, where we have the opportunity to get to know each other better, make friends and celebrate a successful season. And though we hate to say goodbye we know that before long June will be weeks away and another market season will be upon us.

But let’s take the focus off of Sunday and shine the spotlight to Friday because even though one market has ended for the season doesn’t mean market season is over. We still have six more weeks of Madison Farmer’s markets, running up to the Friday before Thanksgiving. And of course we will be able to be found all year Saturday mornings in New Haven, right here Friday at the Farm Shop and through preorder. We hope you get a chance to come out to these last Madison markets of the season. The farmers and other small business vendors at the market rely on the support from all of you Good Food People as much as you all rely on us showing up every week products fully stocked and ready to sell.

Speaking of ready to sell when it comes to having that product for growers like us it is a lot of planning and up front work. Especially now in preparation for the long, cold season to come. This past week on the farm we harvested the purple sweet potatoes and prepped that house making way for another round of Winter plantings. Spinach, lettuce, turnips, bok choys and cabbages are some of the staples of Winter growing and slowly over the next few weeks will be taking over the high tunnels. We also put a significant dent in the planting of this year’s overwintered onions. Started back in August the little onion plants will spend the Winter under low tunnels in the fields. There won’t be much visible growth until the Spring but the roots will be hard at work getting established in the soil. Then next year in May when the main season onions are just done getting planted we will have a beautiful early crop of overwintered onions. Just another four season grower method that let’s us keep producing healthy nutritious organic veg 12 months of the year.

Have a Great Week

This weekend we were ecstatic to see an end to the long stretch of poor weather market weekends that September brought. And what a beautiful weekend with quintessential Fall weather it was. Of course all of you the Good Food people were out in full force to show your love and support and surely take in all the beauty of the season. Yesterday was the 2nd to last Sunday Chester Market of the year and it could not have been a better day. Main street was packed full of customers and every vendor left with a smile. This coming Sunday is your last chance to experience this unique market setting for 2026, it’s been a really tremendous season and we hope to see you there one last time.

Of course just because one market is ending for the season does not mean that you have to forgo the goodness of SLG. After this Sunday we can still be found 2 days a week at three different locations, two of which are available 50 weeks of the year. Friday you have two chances to catch us here at SLG, either right on the farm in Middlefield or on the green in Madison. Both markets run from 3-6pm and we still have 7 weeks of markets left for Madison running up until the Friday before Thanksgiving. Your other two options to get organic veg is through our website and preorder pickup, available both Friday and Saturday as well as Saturday morning in New Haven. Both of which operate more or less year round, besides a brief Holiday break. After all just because the weather changes doesn’t mean that the farmers stop farming or the Good Food People stop eating.

On the farms things are really starting to look and feel like Fall. The majority of the Winter squash has been picked and is curing in the nursery and the pumpkins that remain are showing up as bright spots of orange amongst the vines and foliage. Reminding us those too must be picked soon. Only one and a half tomato tunnels remain and sad to say their days are numbered. Lush beds of greens are becoming the landscapes for the high tunnels, replacing the crops of Summers past. Though a seemingly endless sea of transplants currently fills most of the nursery tables before long they too will find their homes amongst the Winter plantings. A few more weeks of intensive seeding sessions will more or less be it for the rigorous schedule of prep, seed, plant that dominates the main season. The rhythms will switch and the pace in some senses will slow as we transition fully to the shoulder seasons of 4 season farming.

Have a Great Week

It is nearly the month of the Great Pumpkin and around the farm we a running head long into the rapidly changing season. One look at your watch when the beautiful Autumn sun sets or a glance at he alarm clock as the dawn breaks and the realization of how little day light remains becomes quite pressing. We are in full on Fall mode here making the difficult decisions of which crops to pull and which ones to hang onto to a little bit longer. The main push for Fall/Winter preparedness is two fold. Outside we want to both plant as much cover crop as we can muster as well as prep and plant any areas for some last cuts of greens before the weather keeps us in the tunnels. Inside the idea is quite the same except there needs to be a little more timing and strategy. Planting too much all at once will lead to an early flush, yes easy harvesting at first but we will come up short in the coldest months. We also must decide what mix of different veg to plant, though the choices are much more limited compared to the main season. As far as root vegetables are concerned all the beets and carrots are in the ground but we’ll still do a few seedings of turnip and radish. Then there are the greens. A mix of lettuces, Asian greens, spinach and some specialty things like claytonia, will begin to populate the high tunnels in the coming months. And who can forget Siberian kale, chard and mustard greens, which already occupy the heated tunnels and will be showing up bunched all Fall and Winter. It’s no small feat switching the tunnels over from Summer to Winter while also planting into and protecting the outside soil, but it is work as important as harvesting, sowing seeds or even buying and eating veg. Each small pieces of the whole, making up the Powerful Good Food Movement.

This past week on the farms in addition to preparing for the forecast of heavy rain and wind, it was business as usual harvesting and getting ready for the markets. Now of course as many of you can imagine when the weekend weather is troubling it does create a logistical challenge when it comes to harvesting. We here at SLG live by a simple rule set forth by David, if the market is on we will be there. So as a result we still must get a significant amount of the harvesting done before we will have any idea how bad the weather will be. The challenge comes in striking the right balance between bringing enough to markets to meet the needs of the customers, while not bringing so much that a lot comes home. Luckily for us and other growers, we have confidence in the love and support of you the Good Food People. We have witnessed and our hearts have been warmed by it. Year after year through adverse market conditions whether it be wind, rain, snow, cold or a combination, you all have shown up for us supporting the thing we do. This weekend was no different. In spite of the wind and rain familiar faces appeared, keeping this Good Food thing going and showing us and growers like us just how important what we do is. We can’t be grateful enough to all of you for all the love and believe us when we say that we are putting it right back into the soil and veg.

As the season winds down another inevitable thing that takes place is farmer’s markets ending for the season. Bitter sweet as it is, like many other things seasonal we just have to go with it. The Sunday Chester Market has only two more markets dates remaining. The next two Sundays will be your last chance of 2026 to see SLG and all the other vendors in the unique setting that mixes the town with the farmer’s market. Not only is this an excellent place to spend a market Sunday but the past 5 or six markets have been tough weather wise with two even being canceled. For many of the vendors who do that market these slower days hurt the bottom line and having so many adds up. So we want to encourage you to come out these next two weeks not only to experience the great Village of Chester and all it has to offer but also to show some extra love to all the market vendors who could use a strong end to the season. We hope to see you at the market and promise you won’t regret it.

Have a Great Week

One step into the cool morning air, touching the wet grass with your bare feet, wishing you had worn shoes and there is no denying that Fall is here. We’ll welcome the sweet embrace of less humid days and temperate afternoons, while silently mourning another Summer’s end. Of course there is no time for fleeting thoughts of what could have been, for the 4 season farmer the clock is always ticking. We have barely a few weeks left to plant anything outside besides cover crop and overwintered carrots. So you can bet your bottom dollar we’ll be using the warm Autumn days ahead to prep, plant and seed to our heart’s content. Luckily a look ahead at the forecast to come shows we’ll still be in what we like to call the sweet spot for a few weeks.

This sweet spot refers to a magical time of year when we get a break from some unique to organic ag growing frustrations. It’s when the brasicca pest such as the flea beetle have retreated to the field’s edge for the remainder of the year. Yet the temps are still good enough that we don’t have to consider rolling out the row cover just yet. It’s a small window of time in which we no longer have to repeatedly bend over putting hoops over each planting and drag rock bag after rock bag, lining each row so that the insect netting will stay in place hopefully keeping the hungry bugs at bay. Yes, sweet and fleeting are the days when we no longer need netting for pest and before it is cold enough that we need to cover and uncover each day. Of course it won’t be long before this time too will pass, so we would do ourselves a solid by beginning to get those cold weather season extension tools organized and in place.

Another sweet spot a farmer can find themselves in is when a particular tool or implement performs it’s tasks as good if not better than expected. Now some things of course require a learning curve as was the case with our potato harvester and it’s need to be repaired after last season’s over-enthusiasm. Despite all the set backs and frustration, redemption can make things even sweeter and that is truly how we felt last Wednesday. The now fully operational digger tore right through the rows switching the actual harvesting work we must do from digging through tough soil to sliding your hands through finely sifted sand. Needless to say after all the time and uncertainty we feel pretty happy about the purchase.

Have a Great Week

That is the question on our minds now each day as we walk the fields and evaluate the tunnels, deciding what is still worth keeping and who’s head so to speak is on the chopping block. So far our choices have been easy enough. We’ve said goodbye to half of the Jungle where the melons and pole beans had resided. Of course Sven and Mizuna were also easy choices. Being the two houses with heat they are planted earliest in the Spring and are usually the first choices for Summer to Winter conversion. It’s hard to say for sure but more than likely the next tunnel to go will be the 2nd cherry tomato planting in Hartley. Though we may have not fully committed to to the idea( it is always hard to let go) we do know that with each passing day the chance to plant successfully for the coming months is a little less. So more than likely it is time to say goodbye to that tomato planting, we’ll pull down the plants, roll them up and pile them onto the compost heap. Next we’ll clean up the ground, prep the beds, dramatically changing the tunnel’s landscape.

Of course as important as getting the tunnels ready for the season to come is we would certainly be remissed to neglect what is still going on outside. We are at the point where there is realistically less than a month left to plant anything outside that won’t be overwintered. Also we can’t forget there is still a lot more to be done outside than just planting, after all there is still much harvesting to be done. This week in addition to the usual suspects that you know, love and see weekly at the markets we plan to finish harvesting this year’s potatoes. Depending on how well your memory is you may recall from last year, the case of the broken potato harvester. A rollercoaster of a tragic tale which essentially left us digging the potatoes “old school style”. Well this Summer with a replacement part in hand Joel went to fix the potato digger only to find that upon taking a few things apart to reassemble, we did not have all the parts needed. So a few different parts orders later and a trip to the mechanic for some reconstruction expertise and for all intents and purposes the harvester should be operational. Or should we rather say the PTO driven portion of the digger, we did harvest five rows with just the under cutter from the implement two weeks ago but hopefully this week we shall see the potato digger fully operational and in all its glory.

In all of it’s glory is a excellent description for the way things can look this time of year. All the hard work we’ve been putting in throughout the season has been paying off and as things begin to slow and fields fill up it can be hard to deny the power behind the Good Food Movement. It can be likened to the ecosystem that exists in the fields of organic veg. A lot of different factors and players coming together to make something that is not only beautiful and life giving but arguably sustainable at the same time. The seed growers, those who make our compost, all the hard work and sweat from the farm crews, the organizations that put on the farmer’s markets and of course all of you eaters, the Good Food People. It all comes together into a synergistic Community, simple, wholesome and real.

Have a Great Week

With the unofficial end of Summer looking at us square in the face there really isn’t much denying that the sandals and swim trunks need to be put away for another year. No matter what the end of Summer means for you one thing is for certain that people all across the country are taking some time off to celebrate Labor day. Unfortunately with the passage of time and the change in much of the workforce focus, surely the true reason for the holiday may be lost on many. And sadly as with most holidays it is many of the” laborers” who still must go to work because without a paid day off it can be difficult to afford that luxury. So with this in mind perhaps we can switch the mentality around, taking the honoring and celebrating of those who do what we cannot or refuse to do, from just one day a year to each and everyday. We farmers can be a lucky bunch, receiving much praise and admiration for what we do. And don’t get us wrong we appreciate it but we also want to encourage all of you to extend that love to all the laborers and workers out there doing their part making this world we all live in go round.

Now on the subject of celestial spinning as the Summer dwindles away so does the amount of light each day. This affects us growers in a few major ways, first and foremost we do get the benefit of being in the house earlier and getting up a little later. Unfortunately, the amount of things that must get done in a day does not proportionately change with the reducing light, so the result is that old familiar farmer hustle to make up the difference. The reducing light also means slower plant growth which is in and of itself a double edged sword. On one hand it is nice because veg will likely not bolt and can grow into it’s full potential producing that all too beautiful Fall veg you know and love. It also means we can begin to plant things that all of us Good Food People love but just won’t work in the Summer. It also unfortunately means that the days to harvest or maturity for veg gets extended and with many things at this point is too far off to be a reality at all. Even the things we can plant will take longer with each passing week. September and with it Labor day starts the timer on the clock which reminds us, plant it soon if you want to see it in 2026. So we must adjust to the season, leaning on our experience and desire to push the envelope, driving forward in the ever continuing Quest of growing organic nutritious veg.

Of course with the arrival of September, the end of the season for some of the Farmer’s Markets we attend begin to come into view. As hard as it is to believe we have only 5 Chester Sunday markets left of the season. It has been a really great market so far and we are feeling the love from all of you more and more each week and each season. The power of Good Food and Community is truly evident at each and every market we attend a special time and place, proving the value of substance over convenience. We hope everyone who has the day off is enjoying life with those closest to them and if you are out there grinding, getting that work week started already know that we love and support you.

Have a Great Week

Probably the most common thing we hear from folks who talk to us about growing food is the phrase, “that’s a lot of hard work”. And let there be no misconceptions, it certainly is. In fact the only phrase which may be truer than how much work farming is, would be the phrase “we just could not do it alone”. Because all the equipment, land, experience and off season preparation amounts to almost nothing if you don’t have a solid farm crew with boots on the ground, sweating and putting in the hours that make this Good Food Thing a reality. Of course it isn’t just out in the fields or in the wash pack or the nursery, it’s also at all of the markets too. After all you can have the most incredible harvest of all time but a truly successful farmer must not only grow but sell as well. Having a great crew for all the markets as many of you know and have seen it arguably as essential as on farm.

This past week was the final week for our first crew member of the season to leave. Trisha a dedicated home gardener herself, joined us this May and as it always seems to do time flew right by and with the end of August came the end of her season. We want to take the time to thank her and our entire crew both on farm and at markets for all their hard work and good energy this season. Huge shout out to Adrianna, Bowen, Fig, Jessie, Madison, Sam, Schandra and Trisha for all the hard work this season. People at the markets always comment on just how good our food is and surely all the hard work, love of the food and good vibes that the crew puts in each week helps our veg shine just a bit brighter. Being as busy as a farm still is this time of year we have to put the larger end of season celebration off a few months but still wanted to do something on Trisha’s last day. So with 45 minutes left of the day it was time to stop and head down the road to the local ice cream shop for some sweet treats, laughs and appreciation. Of course we had to bring the administrative staff Sid and Annie who have been buried in paperwork all Summer long. We figured they deserved a couple of pup cups for all their hard work and after all they are never ones to miss a staff party.

Now with August all but behind us and a slightly smaller crew, we must stay steadfast as we prepare for the season’s transition. It is already in the air, the leaves and of course the dwindling daylight hours. Fall is not far off and with it, seemingly as fast as Summer’s end will inevitably be Winter. It’s time to set up lights so we can work in the twilight without the aid of headlamps or poorly placed cell phone flashlights. Time to dust off the overalls, heavy boots and try to find our Winter hats. It of course is also time to plant plant plant. It’s a strange urgency that begins to set in this time of year. The type that goes with something that’s been looming in the background all along but that you’re not quite ready to accept. However no matter where we stand with it, the seasons are changing and the wisest choice is to embrace it.

Have a Great Week

Something that we all must experience this time of year is that inevitable feeling of looking back over the past couple of months and asking one’s self”where did the Summer go?” Unfortunately this is a bit of a rhetorical question, that carries with it some heavy emotions. That inherent sadness that comes with the end of Summer as if some instinctual part of human nature or perhaps just a hearkening back to that days of youth, when September loomed around the corner shattering any dreams of an endless Summer. And though as farmers in the heat of the season we are fondly thinking of the cooler days to come, we still find our selves wide eyed and wiping a tear away as we look back on the season and all that was and could have been.

However, as we all very well know, time and the harvest wait for no one. So as much as we as four season growers love to exist with with one foot in both seasons, as the day light fades our footsteps shift forward and Summer growing must again become a thing of fireside dreams. So as you could imagine it is go go go on all things Fall, the cucumbers, squash, tomatoes and other hot weather seeds are being put away for the year and replaced with things like spinach and claytonia. With around 15 high tunnels under our management we must now begin the difficult decision of when to pull the Summer crops and begin to convert said tunnels back to Winter growing mode. The first couple of choices will be easy, the early cubrit and tomato tunnels planted back in April have certainly run their course. After that it will get a bit tougher to chose. Is it tomatoes, peppers or eggplant that are next on the chopping block? Luckily as the nights get cooler and longer the urgency to plant will make those choices easier each day.

Of course Summer in and of itself is not over for nearly a month and the main season bounty will continue to roll in. We are continuing the tomato sales from last week, so if you missed out or just want more tomatoes you are in luck. In addition to these sales if anyone is interested in purchasing “2nds tomatoes” for any even lower per pound price feel free to reach out. Now it hasn’t been just an abundant Summer harvest wise, it too has certainly been an abundant Summer of Good Food People at all of the markets and we couldn’t be more honored to grow for you. Yesterday in fact was the first really rainy market of the season and in spite of the downpours many of you champions of Good Food still came out to show your love and support. Which we are especially grateful for on bad weather days. Luckily this week is looking to be a beautiful one and heck before the Fall routine gets into full swing, come to the markets and embrace Summer’s last days.

Have a Great Week

The countdown to the unofficial end of Summer has begun and as bitter sweet as it is we are finding ourselves waiting for some cool and shorter days. But before then, late August has a few more items to go on it’s to do list until we fully switch over to seeding and planting for the colder months. There is one last round of cukes and squash to get into the ground and later today we will be seeding the last 300 row feet of Winter carrots. These two late Summer tasks in particular are a pretty vivid example of where 4 season growers find themselves, planting one last crop of hot weather plants while also sowing the seeds for Winter harvest, all under the Summer sun.

Another common theme that shows up in the heat of August is the past few months of none stop production and the explosive vegetative growth that comes with it, leaves us feeling a bit buried by the season. As overwhelming as it may feel just like weeding a long row of carrots we must slowly chip away at the work and eventually will come out relatively clean on the other side. This general midseason clean up will take place along side another transformation that will be happening over the next few months, turning the tunnels over once again from Summer jungle, to lush Winter oasis. One look around the farms and it is hard to imagine just how different things will look in a months time.

But hey for the here and now it is Summer and the tomato waterfall continues to flow. We are extending the sales from last week into this week with one small change. The cherry tomato sale this week is for our favorite desert island tomatoes juliet/verona. Versatile, sweet and long lasting this cherry/plum variety truly would be the one tomato to take with you on a three hour tour. So to recap this week online and at the farm stand open hours Friday 3-6 In Middlefield Heirloom tomatoes are 3 pounds for 15$ and Juliet/Verona pints are 2 for 10$. What you have here is the makings for some pretty great sauce and great meals as you power through the last days of August.

Have a Great Week

Perhaps more than any other time of year(though it’s hard to say for sure) in August we find ourselves with our backs up against the wall and so much to do, considering there just isn’t enough time for it all. The tomato Waterfall has official began flowing requiring daily harvest and attention. The time to plant Winter kill cover crops is quickly approaching which needs extra space in the fields and in our heads. Then there is of course planting of veg for the Fall which also need to be done immediately. Today or tomorrow we will be receiving a lot of the seeds for our fall and Winter plantings, and you guessed it they need to be started asap. All of this on top of the regular tasks of weeding, prepping, seeding and harvesting which keeps the Good Food Rolling. Needless to say if you farm and it’s August, you are definitely feeling it, but we know what resolve is needed.

Now that the Tomato Waterfall is here it is time to indulge in a mostly tomato based diet. One look at the crates upon crates of heirlooms and it is easy to see that Jen’s hard work grafting tomatoes in the Winter has paid off. And in celebration of this we are offering a few tomato sales this week. Now these sales are online and Middlefield farm shop only, not at the markets. Pints of sungolds 2 for 10$ and heirlooms tomatoes 3 pounds for 15$. It is a little way for us to show we appreciate our most local customers and share in the tomato abundance together.

There is an old saying that a good snow pack is the poor farmer’s fertilizer, but the smart farmer’s fertilizer is cover crop. If you’re unfamiliar cover cropping is the practice of growing certain plants with the intention of suppressing weeds, to protect and enrich the soil. Not to be harvested and eaten but rather incorporated into the ground. This practice can be quite challenging for small scale intensive growers like ourselves , because simply put, a bed not planted with veg is not going to produce income. This is true in the short term but over time the benefits of cover cropping far outweigh the cost of planting a bed in green manure rather than a food crop.

Of course there is a lot of veg planing going on this time of year too, and currently the star of the show is carrots. If you have shopped with us over the Winter chances are you have had our Winter carrots. Sweet as candy and long lasting we like to say the only thing wrong with winter carrots is that they outshine and ruin it for carrots grown any other time of year. Well as far as planting these carrots the time has arrived with maybe a week or two reaming to successfully seed these sweet Winter beauties. We stocked up on 200k Napoli carrot seeds to ensure we have enough, just in case Joel spills a seed packet.

Have a Great Week