Star Light Gardens

November is here and the days are getting shorter and shorter. Not quite as short as the time change would have you believe but short none the less. It’s time to put away the pumpkins, ration the Halloween candy and embrace the coming season of long nights. Here on the farm we are officially entering into what is referred to as the shoulder seasons. This time of year as outside work begins to wrap up four season growers like ourselves turn to the micro climates created through the use of high and low tunnels. Our Winter hideaway from the harsh cold and snow that waits for us just months away. Even though the majority of our attention is on the high tunnels outside there are still a few plantings that must be done. Scheduled for early next week is the annual planting of our overwintered carrots. Seeding them this late in the season but before it gets too cold we like to say that theses carrots will be ready by Mothers day. After direct seeding them we’ll create low tunnels using old greenhouse plastic and by December the little carrot seedlings will have mostly emerged. In addition to carrots there is the great garlic planting of 2025. This is the first year we will be using 100% our own seed garlic and the second year we are planting around 400lbs the most we have planted to date. With less than half of the planting area prepped and only 25lbs in the ground, we still have a long way to go but with any luck we’ll be practically done by December.

On the subject of practical something that has seemed to be just that and we have wanted to do for awhile is now in motion. What could that be you ask, well it’s open farm shop hours here at Star Light Gardens. Returning this and every coming Friday afternoon from 3-6 we will be open for you to come spontaneously choose your veggies instead of or in addition to preordering. Preorder is still open both Friday and Saturday but this is just another way for you to get some of our fresh organic produce. Also returning this Friday from it’s brief hiatus is the Madison Farmer’s Market for the last three markets of the season. Seeing that we missed having a Halloween Market this week there will be a costume contest available for all to enter. The final season schedule for Madison is 11/7, 11/14, 11/21 running from 3-5pm with the change in time and early darkness.

Speaking of darkness we all know that every one who is suffering due to the government being shut down is a victim of dark times. This hits in particular for us with the loss of SNAP benefits. For many of us who are a part of this Good Food Movement we know the difference access to fresh organic produce makes in peoples lives and have also seen the added value of benefit doubling for fresh fruits and veggies facilitated by City Seed. The food access mission of City Seed and the Saturday market in particular is one of the most powerful things we have had the opportunity to be a part of, this Good Food Community is like nothing else we know. With the loss of benefits affecting many people we know and care about many of us were asking just what can be done. Acting quickly City Seed has stepped up offering 50 dollars in snap tokens to up to fifty people providing up to 100 dollars of produce for those who lost snap benefits. We applaud City Seed for this great deed and are honored to be apart of this resilient community. Coming to the markets and supporting growers and vendors is just one way to show your support and also a good opportunity to learn more about City Seed and all that they do.

Have A Great Week

Here we are, another morning with the frost kissing the leaves and coating blades of grass, hopefully helping to harden off the crops rather than give them cold damage. November is just days away ending the week for us and just like October the main season is really wrapping up too. This is officially the last week with the crew this season, some have left at August’s end, some a week or so early. And for those who remain only three more days of glorious farm work are left. Farming is hard work and certainly made easier with extra help around. As solitary as most farmers may be the fact of the matter is you need people around in this line of work. It’s been a really great season and there is certainly no way we could have gotten this far without the hard work of the 2025 farm crew. Walking through the back fields at SLGNW it looks like a proper farm and indeed at times looked like paradise this Summer where just months before it had been an overgrown mess of perennial and annual weeds. The sweat and toil that was put in this season is truly apparent and if left solely to J and J we’d more than likely have two broken farmers rather than these beautiful backfields. So for one last time this season(at least in writing) we want to give a shout out to the 2025 farm crew, Thanks so much for all your help we will miss you.

Another thing we will be missing this week is the Madison Farmers’ Market which is off because of the town’s trunk or treat. It will be be back for 3 last markets in November closing one hour early due to day light savings from 3-5. Luckily for all of you that don’t want to miss us this Friday we will be having the Grand Opening of our open farm shop hours, at 85 School Street in Middlefield. Starting this Friday and continuing every other we will have open farm shop hours Friday from 3-6pm, this will be in addition to the regular preorder pick up option for both Friday and Saturday. We will of course continue to be in New Haven Saturdays year round. A quick note on the uncertainty of funding for the SNAP program. If you are a snap customer we don’t want this to deter you from coming to the market, we are brainstorming ideas to continue to serve all of you, more on this next week if it still in an issue.

Have a Great Week

It was a beautiful Fall weekend (not unlike we just had) some two years ago when we first got the pleasure of meeting our little scruffy dog Annie. When you are farmers like us living in a small home with a lot of cats and a sweet but intimidating big old muscle dog, you can’t just adopt anyone it has to be just the perfect fit. In addition to Sid and the cats we were also dog sitting David’s little pup Clarkie at the time and knew another little one with a similar demeanor would be a good match. Now flash back a week earlier, due to the last Chester market J and J had missed an adoption event held right next door to the Durham farm. But as fate would have it one shy, reluctant little pup as if she knew what was in store for her, just didn’t warm up to any of the would be adopters. Thus making her the one dog at the event whom wasn’t adopted. A sad story this may have been if it wasn’t for the fact that Jen immediately reached out scheduling a visit for the following Sunday. Then came the day Clarkie, Sid and Joel were out walking on the farm and Jen arrived with our soon to be Annie in the passenger seat. Without missing a tail wag she jumped right into the farm walk as if she belonged there the whole time and well maybe she did. Like the missing piece to this farm family puzzle Annie from then on officially joined the pack and we truly couldn’t imagine life without her.

Speaking of things that we just cannot live without we know for some of you nutritious organic local produce is just that thing. It is with this in mind that we do our best in making that veg available as much as possible. Previously, on farm purchases were restricted to preorder only however, Starting 10/31 we will have open farm shop hours every Friday from 3-6pm. This will be in addition to to our regular preorder schedule of Friday and Saturday. In other produce shopping news a reminder there will be no Madison Farmer’s Market Friday 10/31 due to a town event. However 3 more Madison markets remain after that in November, closing one hour earlier due to daylight savings from 3-5.

.Meanwhile as markets begin to rundown for the season so does the on farm season and there are only two weeks remaining with the main season crew. It’s been a great year and there is no way we could do all this alone. We’ll be out in earnest trying to cross the most important task off the farm to do list. With one cat tunnel deconstructed we are eyeing the one that remains and saying bye to the tomatoes within. The pepper tunnel which has been the most productive and just plain best peppers we’ve grown sadly must go too. The rows of bright reds, yellows and orange will be replaced by the smooth dark green of spinach. One look outside at the trees or inside of the tunnels and there’s just no doubt the season has changed.

Have a Great Week

The passage of time and seasons from the viewpoint of the farm is seemingly surreal at times. Summers are spent hyper focused on the need to get so many things done within a small window. Beneath the brims of our hats eyes occasionally glance up to keep a sense of total awareness but for the most part our heads are down as we tend to the earth below. Then before you know it you’re looking up noticing the changing leaves and awesome quality Fall’s light gives to them. That small(or so you thought)family of turkeys with tiny babies hiding in the grass is actually thirteen strong and the kids are looking all grown up. The fields of bright colors slowly get covered with ghostly white cloths to tuck in the veg and keep them warm. The Summer has passed, dusk is coming earlier and we begin to settle into the shoulder seasons.

Yesterday was our last Sunday Chester Market of the season and it was really a great end to what has been a tremendous season. Despite the threat of rain and wind, which did eventually come the majority of the market was dry and busy. We’d be lying to say that not getting up at 5am on Sunday will be nice but we’ll definitely miss all the customers, local merchants, fellow vendors and market staff that we have had the pleasure to get to know these past 3 years. We have to give a special shout out to Sue and all the other market staff who’s time and hard work have made the market what it is. The good news for those of you seeking SLG we are still going to be in Madison on Fridays until Nov 21st and in New Haven on Saturdays all year round. One note on the Madison Market Friday the 31st Halloween there will not be a Farmer’s market, due to the town’s trunk or treat taking over the green. We also of course will continue with preorder pick up on the farm in Middlefield Friday and Saturday afternoons. One thing we have been thinking about doing for the on farm shop is an Open Shop day where you can come and shop without having to preorder.

After much deliberation we have decided on doing a soft launch of SLG Farm Shop Open Hours. Our thought was to mirror the hours of the Madison Market and open up to offer an option for folks when the market ends for the season. With the cancellation of the Madison Market on Halloween we thought it would be an excellent opportunity for the Grand Opening of the On Farm shop. Starting Friday October 31st we will have open Farm Shop Hours on Fridays from 3-6pm. We are excited to begin to offer this and hope that it brings joy and nourishment to those in need of good food. The Grand opening will be a celebration of sorts and we invite you to come see the farm, meet the farmers, the sheep maybe even some of the cats and a dog or two, hope to see you there.

Have a Great Week

Coming off the first weekend of October and the stretch of two or three 80 degree days that came with it, makes it hard to envision the need for all the season extension tools we employ. However, one quick look at the week’s forecast and you can see the dreaded 35 degree low for Thursday night. Now we all know that weather changes fast and Thursday’s low may very well end up being in the 40’s but it could also go the other direction and threaten a frost. It is difficult to know either way so we’ll develop a loose plan and be at the ready. No matter what the outcome we would be wise to take it as a sign of the season and cold to come.

Getting ready for the cooler temps is only a portion of the battle because there still is a ton of harvest, prepping, planting and seeding to be done to keep the wave of nutritious organic veg rolling all Winter long. The exquisite weather of late has kept an abundance of warm season veg on our plates at the same time as the arrival of wonderful Fall harvests. With half of the purple sweet potatoes harvested and curing in the nursery we are extremely pleased with the results thus far. Also in the nursery the butternut squash will be done curing this week and showing up at the markets this weekend and online next week. Speaking of Winter squashes(sort of) we want to highlight our two pumpkin varieties you may be seeing at the markets. Rouge vif d’Etampes a centuries-old French heirloom pumpkin who’s tasty, orange flesh transforms pies and savory dishes. Another heirloom variety, Small Sugar has very smooth-textured, bright orange flesh and the finest flavor for making mouthwatering pies. In addition to finding these two at the markets we will have some available for purchase in the shop where order pick up is. The final Winter squash we grow delicata is available now both online and at market. The “no fuss” winter squash is easy to cook requiring no peeling just slice, season, roast and eat. It’s delicious and versatile you can find Max of Frank Andrew’s mobile kitchen cooking up a specialty pizza featuring the squash at both the Friday Madison Farmer’s market and the Chester Sunday market.

Coming into the final few weeks with the farm crew we are trying our best to stay focused and accomplish just the right tasks to close out the season. With just about 3 high tunnels left in warm season veg and the two cat tunnels it’s time to make a tough choice of what is next to go. Sad as it is to say the heirloom production has slowed down significantly so the time has come to bid farewell to some of the most productive plants we have ever had. The Jungle our 200 ft tunnel named for the wild and overgrown sate of it when we started, has those tomatoes and the last of the flowers growing in it and it’s 2025 warm season has come to an end. Clearing out a tunnel full of summer veg and replacing it with a blank canvas ready to be painted with Winter greens has a bitter sweet feeling to it, not unlike having to say goodbye but for the right reasons.

Have a Great Week

It’s in the changing leaves, the beautiful light at dusk and dawn, the chill in the night air and the foggy mornings, signs of Autumn are everywhere. Around the farm it means a few different things. One, time to clean up a bit outside getting things ready for the need to apply row covers which will arrive as suddenly as it always does. There will still be plenty of harvesting to take place in the outside fields but the only seeding and transplanting taking place will be for overwintering. Our ears, eyes and hearts are now turned to the high tunnels, our Winter oasis of inside growing space. Bed by bed, tunnel by tunnel we switch over from Summer jungles of seasonal favs like tomatoes, peppers and melons, to Winter seas of roots and greens. The clock is ticking and the push is on to plant just enough at the right time over the next two months so that we can carry a bountiful Fall deep into the Winter.

Besides the obvious signs of the season Mother Nature gives us, on farms and at the markets the displays also slowly change with the season. Currently, we still have one foot in each season and the market tables are full with the best of both worlds. Spinach is making it’s long awaited return and more than likely some bunches of Siberian kale will also be making their way to the market this week. This year’s run of Winter squash has been harvested and we are pleased to report the 3D electric fencing more or less was a successful deterrent for the hungry deer. Pumpkins, delicata and butternut squash are curing in the nursery as we speak. The butternut will take another week however pumpkins and delicata are available now.

With October just at arms length we are also getting excited to harvest this year’s crop of purple sweet potatoes. Great news for all of you sweet potato lovers but also a bit of a tease since they require at least a month of curing. Your patience mind you will be rewarded, not only will they store for months but develop a heavenly sweetness when cured long enough. October also brings with it the end of the Chester Sunday Market with just two more Sundays to go. We would be lying if we told you that we won’t mind having an easier day on Sundays but we would also be lying to say that we won’t miss seeing everyone on Sunday’s too. It has truly been a great season in Chester this year and we want to thank all the town merchants, fellow vendors, lovely customers and of course excellent market staff for welcoming Star Light Gardens into your community. If you haven’t had a chance to stop by there are still two more chances this season.

Have a Great Week

Official SLG Merch

Here at Star Light Gardens as you may or may not know we live and often celebrate by the seasons. If you have had the chance to attend one of our Winter Solstice celebrations you’ve seen this first hand and if not you can only imagine how farmers behave celebrating the longest night of the year. With the arrival of Fall we decided to gather some folks to celebrate the equinox and to conjure up some medicinal potions for the season to come. With the cooler weather comes the seasons of colds and coughs, indeed this very week we’ve heard people saying “there’s something going around”. Some of you may have heard of fire cider a vinegar, lemon, garlic, onion, hot pepper, herbs and ginger packed concoction which aids in immunity support. This potion is not only easy to make but versatile you can simply take a shot for your health or mix it to create a delicious salad dressing, just to name a few uses. The best part is that besides the lemon, herbs and apple cider vinegar(which are readily available organically) all of the ingredients can currently be sourced from your very own local neighborhood organic farm Star Light Gardens.

This equinox celebration of course was more than just a celebration because after all this is a working farm and it was only the last day of Summer(or is that the first of Fall). Luckily good friends both new and old were eager to pitch in to help us create this season’s first batch of Fire Cider. So with a small fire in the background, snacks and refreshments on hand everyone grabbed a cutting board and knife getting to work in assembly line fashion making short work of all the onions, garlic, ginger and hot peppers that needed to be chopped. Within no time we had all the ingredients diced and in jars and were ready to add the vinegar. Five large jars were filled for farm use and each attendee went home with their own batch for personal use. It was a really great time spent with great people and we probably will be adding this equinox tradition to our annual celebrations. Eager to try making some yourselves? There are an endless amount of recipes out there many of which include optional ingredients such as horseradish and turmeric. Our specific batch included ginger, cayenne peppers, thyme, sage, oregano, garlic, red and yellow onion(all grown on farm) as well as organic lemons and apple cider vinegar. Not too eager on making things yourself not to worry because our farm made fire cider will be available in around a month and a half when the first batch is done.

Have a Great Week

Official SLG Merch

The last week of Summer seems to hit you as suddenly as the appearance of a first frost. You know it’s coming and we think about and even prepare for it for weeks if not more. Put in all the preparation you want, there is just no getting away from that sinking feeling of how did we let the Summer slip away. Funny to think this way considering the work load and long days that go along with the best couple months of the year, but there is no denying the timeless beauty of the season. It’s hard not to look back and say we should have done things this way instead or maybe if we got to that a week or so earlier things would have been different. Indeed even in the best of years there exists some regret. However, instead of harping on the things that didn’t happen perhaps we’ll take a bit of time to write those things down as reminders not only for the coming seasons but as to ourselves that perfection exists in it’s pursuit.

Summer’s second to last weekend was certainly picturesque especially from a farmers’ market perspective with all of you the Good Food People showing up in earnest. This time of year going to three markets a week you can’t deny the beauty of this thing and the community that is created around it. Sharing something so essential as food and coming at it from a place of love and nutrition, makes it feel almost like a family. The first seasonal market of the year that ends for us Chester, has just 4 markets left. Thinking of not seeing folks we’ve seen week after week now for months, leaves you with a sad feeling not unlike the end of Summer itself. It’s a sadness that comes from all the good times we’ve had and for now we’ll enjoy what time remains of this season, while smiling on the inside thinking of the seasons to come.

Similarly, on the farm itself we begin to reach the inevitable end of season points that exist for growers. When it comes to planting outside there is only a handful of direct seedings and transplantings and our attention for the most part is turning to the tunnels. Most of the cover crop has been sown and is coming in nicely, besides the Winter rye which will be getting it’s turn in the soil any day now. Even the end of the main season with the crew is coming into view and we can count on one hand how many more weeks remain. Thoughts of prepping areas for the garlic and planting overwintered onions fill our heads along with sweet images of spinach and claytonia. But before we get too far ahead there still is one more week of Summer left so enjoy it, after all you deserve to.

Have a Great Week

OFFICIAL SLG MERCH

After what seems to be nearly months without rain this weekend we finally got the relief from drought that has been well overdue. It really for the most part was a good soaking rain that all the life whether plant, animal or soil organism truly needed. Now don’t get us wrong the timing of the rain wasn’t the best for those of us who do Sunday markets but as some old timers say”we’ll get the rain when we need it” and we certainly needed it. The only question now is what to do with all of our free time since at least for a few days we can ignore the regiment of rotating irrigation.

One thing we of course we will be spending our time on is planting for the seasons to come. Though we have just under 2 weeks of Summer left with that chill in the night air it’s easy to see Fall is just around the bend. And as we all know with those cooler nights also come longer nights and consequently less hours of daylight for our little veggy friends. In some ways this is a good thing the cool temps and reducing light allow for things to grow larger and hold in the field longer without bolting. Not to mention the sweetness that the cold imparts upon the veg. But things are also growing slower and many things are past their point of seeding for this year. This really puts the the pressure on us four season growers as the countdown is on until you can’t realistically plant anything that will be harvestable this year.

So for about the next month and a half it’s plant, plant, plant, then the pace changes a bit. Once November rolls around there are a few key direct seedings and transplantings that will take place in the last months of the year. First and foremost is a November seeding of overwintered carrots that will be harvested in late Spring 2026. After that it’s some seedings of brassicas each month for salad greens and of course transplanting spinach and lettuce for late Winter. Then before we know we’ll be back grafting tomatoes in the basement and dreaming of that Summer sun.

That being said with the last two weeks of Summer being in the here and now there is still a lot to plant out in the fields before we turn exclusivity to planting inside the tunnels. Our goal each year is to continue harvesting outside up until at least Thanksgiving so that we have a deep pocket of veg safely tucked away for the Winter. The nursery seems to be an ever lasting sea of transplants with more lettuce, choys and spinach dying to get into the ground in the coming weeks. We’ll get as much space prepped for the last round of Arugula and Mizuna seedings out in the field. Those seedings will also be the first official sightings of row cover, it’s ghostly white appearance returning to the fields and heralding in the spooky season to come. With the cooler weather and longer nights it’s also a great time of year to bring out those SLG sweatshirts find all Official SLG Merch here.

Have a Great Week

It’s easy to get excited about something new be it an idea, method, shirt design(foreshadowing) or in this case tool. Perhaps in the initial enthusiasm one thinks this is great and will make everything easier. And that is definitely how we felt about our new potato digging implement, as you may remember from last week. Much work was put into prepping the second section of potatoes to facilitate an even better result, and that indeed was the case with the first row dug in round two. It was nearly picture perfect until when raising the implement up to reposition for row two, the unmistakable crisp snap that can only be metal breaking was heard. Surely from some manufactures defect and not user error the spine clamp which connects to the PTO was sheared clean off. More than likely repairable and covered by the warranty, none the less frustratingly heart breaking to say the least. After a brief period of disbelief and colorful language, there was nothing left to do but park the implement and grab the digging broad fork. Luckily between the prep that was done to the area preharvest and the need to get out some of that energy a new tool breaking gives one, the area was broad forked and dug up before noon. With all the potatoes now harvested all we can do is repair the machine and wait until next year’s harvest so stay tuned.

For now let’s leave those August memories be them good or bad behind us because after all the calendar doesn’t lie. Beyond the heart break of letting Summer go that September brings it also heralds in the new season and with it some great things we haven’t seen in months. With one row of spinach already transplanted and 40 more trays ready to get into the ground it won’t be long till we see our delicious green friend on our plates again. We have already turned over 3 tunnels and transplanted in Siberian kale, Swiss chard and celery for Winter long production. Then there is our old favorite claytonia which is slated to be direct seeded either Tuesday or Wednesday. There is also a lot of brassicas getting seeded in the these tunnels, radish, arugula and mizuna just to name a few. Seeding now we have a small window to get some excellent late Summer production out of the tunnels before they are planted for the Winter. The difference in the quality of things like arugula especially will be quite evident over the next month plus.

For at least a few years now fashion forward individuals across the globe have been spotted wearing a wide variety of Star Light Gardens shirts featuring original artwork from one of the farm’s founders Ty Zemelsky. As popularity for the shirts grew, true fans of the art and food of SLG have wanted, no dare we say demanded a new design. So today we are here to announce the official release of the SLG a lot to chew on shirt once again featuring original art work from Ty Zemelsky. Available in tank top, t shirt, sweat shirt, hoodie and kids shirts you can order them now through the website and link below.

Have a Great Week

Official SLG Merch