Grown In Connecticut: Irene Did Less Damage Than Expected

Tropical storm Irene did some damage to farmers' crops, according to Rick Macsuga of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture but overall growers made out surprisingly well. 

"We had apple trees blow over and non of the fruit came off," he said. "It was freaky going to an orchard and all the fruit was still on the trees but all the vegetables had washed away." 

Macsuga said he saw some trees completely toppled over but none of the fruit fell off. He estimated that most farmers made out "shockingly well" and lost less than 5 percent of their fruit crop in the storm. 

Not all farmers made out so well. Macsuga said some growers lost 100 percent of their crops, while others lost very little. The Department of Agriculture is still assessing the damage state-wide but the rain is making matters worse. 

"Summer squash took a beating during the storm," said Macsuga. "It's still there but it doesn't do well in all this rain. If you're looking for squash I would jump on it in next couple weeks." 

Macsuga said the same goes for corn.

However, the colder weather is bringing the return of lettuces and fall raspberries, apples and winter squashes, he said.  

"Markets were very busy this week," said Macsuga. "There is lots of product still available. The summer stuff is fizzling out and the winter stuff is coming in. After last week's storm, this rain is nothing."

Here's what's fresh this week: 

Grapes: concord, red, white

Green beans: wax, roma, cranberry

Okra

Mushrooms: shiitake, oyster

Beets, red and golden

Cabbages: savoy, green, red, bok choy

Eggplant: tons of different varieties

Carrots

Kale

Collard greens

Swiss chard

Lettuce: romaine, green and red leaf, heirloom varieties

Spinach

Bitter melon

Nectarines

Peaches

Pears

Apples: McIntosh, gala, Cortland

Squash: all types in great numbers.

Sweet corn

Tomatoes: heirlooms, cherry, grape, plum, pear

Potatoes

Peppers: all varieties and heat indexes

Leeks

Scallions

Romanesco: a cross between a broccoli and cauliflower 

Here's where to find them:

Mystic Farmers’ Market is on Tuesdays from 2 to 6 p.m., at the Quiambaug Firehouse located at 50 Old Stonington Road. WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted.

Groton Farmers’ Market is on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Groton Shopping Plaza next to the Post Office on Route 1. WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted.

Westerly-Pawcatuck Farmers’ Market is on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 85 Main St., just past The Bridge restaurant in Westerly.

Stonington Farmers’ Market is on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon near the town fishing pier in the borough. WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted.

Mystic-Denison Farmers’ Market is on Sundays from noon to 3 p.m., located at 120 Pequotsepos Road across from the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center. www.denisonhomestead.org/farm‐market, WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted.