Central Connecticut offers many ways to get back to nature, but none are as colorful as its gardens, which are blooming with history, entertainment, activities and – of course – flowers! Just as vibrant are the region’s farmers’ markets, farms and orchards, featuring locally grown and produced fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, cheeses and more. Get outside and start discovering Connecticut’s bounty!

To download a PDF of the brochure, click here.

Upcoming Events

10^th ANNUAL CONNECTICUT HISTORIC GARDENS DAY
860.522.9258
Sunday June 23; Noon–4 p.m.
View one or several of fourteen historic gardens across Connecticut. Each site offers special activities emphasizing their site. Programs and fees vary. Visit website for updated information.

ELIZABETH PARK ROSE WEEKEND JUNE 22-23, 2013

Gardens
Visit each venue’s website for complete event and tour details.

ELIZABETH PARK ROSE GARDEN
860.231.9443
1555 Asylum Street, West Hartford CT 06117
The park is open dawn to dusk every day of the year. The world-famous rose garden is the oldest municipally-operated rose garden in the country. It is a two-and-a-half-acre garden with about 800 varieties of roses that amount to 15,000 plants. Admission is free.

BUTLER-McCOOK HOUSE & GARDEN
860.522.1806
396 Main Street, Hartford CT 06103
Open for tours Apr. 1-Dec. 31
April: Sat. & Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
May-Sept.: Thurs.-Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Oct.-Dec.: Sat. & Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Enjoy the historic and restored Victorian ornamental garden, originally laid out in 1865 by pioneer landscape architect Jacob Weidenmann.

HARRIET BEECHER STOWE CENTER
860.522.9258
77 Forest Street, Hartford, CT 06105
Open year-round. Closed Mon. & Tues.
Wed.-Fri. 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Sat. 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Sun. Noon-5:30 p.m.
June through August, the Garden Tour focuses on Stowe's love of gardens, as well as the Victorians’ love affair with flowers. A walk through the gardens surrounding the Stowe house is included on the tour.

HILL-STEAD MUSEUM
860.677.4787
35 Mountain Road, Farmington, CT 06032
House tours & Museum Shop; Open Tues.-Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Closed Mon. and major holidays
Enjoy the Beatrix Farrand-designed, one-acre perennial Sunken Garden, strolling the paths at your own pace with printed garden guides for reference. In addition to the garden, visitors may explore Hill-Stead’s estate – more than three miles of stone walls, woodland trails, a meadow and pond, all set on 152 historic acres.

THANKFUL ARNOLD HOUSE MUSEUM &
WILHELMINA ANN ARNOLD BARNHART MEMORIAL GARDEN
860.345.2400
14 Hayden Hill Road, Haddam, CT 06438
Wed. 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Thurs. 2-8 p.m.
Fri. Noon-3 p.m.
Summer Sundays 1-4 p.m.
The Thankful Arnold House garden features more than 50 varieties of herbs including those used in cooking, dyeing, fragrance and medicine. A member of Connecticut’s Historic Gardens, the grounds are open to the public year-round with free admission. Suggested donation for a tour of the museum.

WICKHAM PARK
860.528.0856
1329 West Middle Turnpike, Manchester, CT 06040
Open Apr. through Oct.: Daily 9:30 a.m.-Sunset
Wickham Park is a non-profit, private foundation with property extending into both Manchester and East Hartford. The park’s most unique feature is its many acres of ornamental gardens. There are six different themed gardens, ranging in size from one-half to eight acres.

HURST FARM COUNTRY STORE & GREENHOUSES
860.646.6536
746 East Street, Andover, CT 06232
Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
This 36-acre farm includes an old-fashioned country store featuring the farm’s own honey, maple, jams and jellies and more. In the fall, enjoy harvest hayrides, pumpkins, farm animals and gardens. Maple sugaring on premise.

PARDEE ROSE GARDEN
203.946.8142
East Rock Park, 180 Park Road, Hamden, CT 06517
The rose garden, established in 1922, is two acres in size. The garden, containing an array of flowers from early spring until mid-fall, features one of Connecticut's finest displays of roses.

ROSES FOR AUTISM – PINCHBECK’S ROSE FARM
203.453.2186
929 Boston Post Road, Guilford, CT 06437
Open Mon.-Sat. 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Enjoy Connecticut-grown, fresh-cut roses year-round, grown under 1929 glass greenhouses. For upcoming events, visit the website or call ahead for greenhouse tours. Roses For Autism is a transitional vocational training program for young adults on the autism spectrum.

SUNDIAL GARDENS & TEA SHOP
860.345.4290
59 Hidden Lake Road, Higganum, CT 06441
Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sun. Noon-5 p.m.
Explore formal gardens in a period setting. The tea shop features an extensive selection of fine, loose teas from the major tea-growing regions of the world.

WALNUT HILL PARK ROSE GARDENS
877.390.5363
55 Grand Street, New Britain, CT 06051
The rose garden showcases more than 850 roses ranging in variety, color and fragrance.  It grows next to the site of the World War I monument in the beloved Walnut Hill Park, a historic landmark designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.

WEBB-DEANE-STEVENS COLONIAL REVIVAL GARDEN
860.529.0612
211 Main Street, Wethersfield, CT 06109
Open daily (except Tues.) 10 a.m.-4 p.m. & Sun. 1-4 p.m.
This beautiful Colonial Revival Garden is open to the public to enjoy throughout the year. It was designed by Amy Cogswell, one of the first female garden architects in the U.S. The garden is located behind the Webb House, a historic house made famous in part due to a visit by George Washington in 1781.

Farmers' Markets

BETHANY FARMERS’ MARKET
203.393.9661
711 Amity Road, Bethany, CT 06524
Open June–Oct.: Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

BLOOMFIELD FARMERS’ MARKET

Bloomfield Town Hall, 800 Bloomfield Avenue, Bloomfield, CT 06002
Open July–Oct.: Sat. 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

COLLINSVILLE FARMERS’ MARKET

Main Street (Town Hall Parking Lot), Collinsville, CT 06022
Open June-Oct.: Sun. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

CROMWELL FARMERS’ MARKET

52 Missionary Road, Cromwell, CT 06416
June 5–Sept. 25: Wed. 2–5 p.m.
 

DURHAM FARMERS’ MARKET
Town Green, Durham, CT 06422
Open May-Sept.: Thurs. 3-6:30 p.m.

EAST GRANBY FARMERS’ MARKET
860.653.3002
3 Turkey Hills Road, East Granby, CT 06026
Open June 19-Sept. 25: Wed. 3:30-6:30 p.m.

EAST HADDAM FARMERS’ MARKET
860.537.1375
Grange Hall, 488 Town Street, East Haddam, CT 06423
Open June-Oct.: Every Wed. 4-7 p.m

EAST HARTFORD FARMERS’ MARKET
Raymond Memorial Library, 840 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06108
July–Oct.: Fri. 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

EAST HAVEN FARMER’S MARKET

203.468.3204
East Haven Town Hall, 250 Main Street, East Haven, CT 06512
Open July-Oct.: Sun. 9 a.m.-Noon

ELLINGTON FARMERS’ MARKET

860.872.0121
Arbor Park on Rt. 286/Main Street, Ellington, CT 06029 (next to Ellington Fire Dept.)
Open May 4-Oct. 19: Sat. 9 a.m.-Noon

ENFIELD FARMERS’ MARKET
Enfield Town Green, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, CT 06082
Open June-Oct.: Wed. 3-6 p.m.

ESSEX FARMERS’ MARKET
Main Street, Essex, CT 06426
Open June-Oct.: Fri. 3-6 p.m.

GRANBY FARMERS’ MARKET
860.653.5524 x124
Farmington Valley YMCA, 97 Salmon Brook Street, Granby, CT 06035
Open June 25-Sept. 10: Tues. 3-6 p.m.

HAMDEN – DOWNTOWN FARMERS’ MARKET
203.288.6431
Miller Library Lower Parking Lot; 2663 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden, CT 06518
Open June-Oct.: Fri. 11a.m.-3 p.m.

HAMDEN – SPRING GLEN FARMERS’ MARKET
203.288.6431
Spring Glen Church, 1825 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT 06517
Open June-Oct.: Tues. 3-6 p.m.

HARTFORD FARMERS’ MARKET
860.548.9877

Visit website for locations.
   Billings Forge: Open May-Oct.: Thurs. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
   Capitol Ave: July-Oct.: Mon. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
   Homestead Avenue: June-Oct.: Wed. 3-6 p.m.
   North End: June 26-Oct. 29: Wed. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
   Old State House: June 11-Oct. 29: Tues. & Fri. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
   Park Street: July-Oct.: Mon. 9:30 a.m-1 p.m.
   West End: June-Oct.: Tues. & Fri. 3:30-6:30 p.m.

HARTFORD REGIONAL FARMERS’ MARKET
860.527.5047
101 Reserve Road, Hartford, CT 06114
Open spring to mid-fall: Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 5-9 a.m.

HIGGANUM VILLAGE MARKET FARMERS’ MARKET
Higganum Green, Intersection of Rte. 81 & 154, Higganum, CT 06441
Open June-Oct.: Fri. 3:30-6:30 p.m.

HILL-STEAD MUSEUM FARMERS' MARKET
860.677.4787
35 Mountain Road, Farmington, CT 06032
Open July 7-Oct. 20: Sun.11 a.m.-2 p.m.

MADISON FARMERS’ MARKET
Madison Historic Town Green, 26 Meeting House Road, Madison, CT 06443
Open May-Oct.: Fri. 3-6 p.m.

MANCHESTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE FARMERS' MARKET
Great Path, Manchester, CT 06040
Open June-Oct.: Wed. 1-5 p.m.

MANCHESTER FARMERS’ MARKET
Town Parking Lot, Main & Forest Streets, Manchester, CT 06040
Open July-Oct.: Sat. 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

MERIDEN FARMERS’ MARKET
The Hub, intersection of East Main & Pratt Streets, Meriden, CT 06450
Open July 13-Oct. 26: Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

MIDDLETOWN FARMERS’ MARKET
South Green, Old Church Street, Middletown, CT 06457
Open July- Oct.: Tuesday & Thursdays, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

MIDDLETOWN NORTH END FARMERS’ MARKET
575 Main Street, Middletown, CT 06457
Sidewalk in front of It’s Only Natural Market
Open July-Oct.: Fri.10 a.m.-2 p.m.

MILFORD DOWNTOWN FARMER’S MARKET
203.231.4006
58 River Street, Milford, CT 06460
Open June-Oct.: Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

MILFORD – VILLAGE OF DEVON FARMERS’ MARKET
120 Bridgeport Avenue, Rt 1, Devon Village, Milford, CT 06460
Open July-Oct.: Sun. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

NEW BRITAIN FARMERS’ MARKET
St. Ann’s Church, 109 North Street, New Britain, CT 06051
Open July-Oct.: Mon. 2-4 p.m.

NEW HAVEN - CITY FARMERS’ MARKET
203.773.3736

Visit website for addresses.
  Downtown: June-Nov.: Wed. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
  Edgewood Park: Jan.-Apr.: Every other Sun. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
  Fair Haven: July-Oct.: Thurs. 2:30-6:30 p.m.
  The Hill: July-Oct.: Fri. 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m
  Wooster Square: Jan.-Apr.: Sat. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

OLD SAYBROOK FARMERS’ MARKET
210 Main Street, Old Saybrook, CT 06475
Open June 29-Oct. 30: Wed. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. & Sat. 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

ORANGE FARMERS' MARKET
203.606.8981
254 Bull Hill Lane, Orange, CT 06477
Open July-Sept.: Wed. 3:30-6:30 p.m.

PLAINVILLE FARMERS’ MARKET
Plainville High School, 47 Robert Holcomb Way, Plainville, CT 06062
Open July-Sept.: Fri. 3-6 p.m.

SIMSBURY COMMUNITY FARM FARMERS’ MARKET
73 Wolcott Road, Simsbury, CT 06070
Open June-Oct.: Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

SIMSBURY FARMERS' MARKET
Simsmore Square, 540 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT 06070
Open June 20-Oct.: Thurs. 3-6 p.m.

SOUTH WINDSOR FARMERS’ MARKET
860.331.9892
Union School, 771 Main Street, South Windsor, CT 06074
Open July-Oct.: Sun. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

SOUTHINGTON – PLANTSVILLE FARMERS’ MARKET
1003 South Main Street, Southington, CT 06080
Open July-Oct.: Fri. 3-6 p.m.

SUFFIELD FARMERS’ MARKET
Suffield Town Green, Suffield, CT 06084
Open June-Oct.: Sat. 9 a.m.-Noon

TOLLAND FARMERS’ MARKET
860.871.3600
Tolland Green, Tolland, CT 06084
Open May-Nov.: Sat. 9 a.m.-Noon

WALLINGFORD GARDENERS MARKET FARMERS’ MARKET
203.284.1807
Railroad Station Green, Rts 5 & 150, Wallingford, CT 06492
Open July-Sept.: Sat. 9 a.m.-Noon

WEST HARTFORD FARMERS’ MARKET
Public Parking Lot Intersection of Arapahoe & LaSalle Roads, West Hartford, CT 06107
Open May-Dec.: Tues. & Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. & Thurs. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

WEST HARTFORD – WHOLE FOODS FARMERS’ MARKET
50 Raymond Road, West Hartford, CT 06107
Open June-Oct.: Mon. 3-6 p.m.

WEST HAVEN FARMERS’ MARKET
203.937.3500
West Haven Green, Corner of Campbell & Main, West Haven, CT 06516
Open July-Oct.: Thurs. & Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

WETHERSFIELD FARMERS’ MARKET
Solomon Welles House, 220 Hartford Avenue, Wethersfield, CT 06109
Open May-Sept.: Thurs. 3-6 p.m.

WINDSOR FARMERS’ MARKET
Corner of Maple Avenue & Broad Street, Windsor, CT 06095
Open June-Oct.: Thurs. 3:30-6:30 p.m.

WOODMONT FARMERS’ MARKET, MILFORD
203.878.4270
Robert Treat Farm, 1339 New Haven Avenue, Milford, CT 06460
Open July-Sept.: Wed. 3:30-6:30 p.m.

Organic and Locally Grown/Made Produce:

LYMAN ORCHARDS
860.349.1793
Located at the Junction of Routes 147 & 157 in Middlefield, CT 06455

MAPLE VIEW FARM
860.655.2036
1988 Salmon Brook Street, Granby, CT 06035
Open daily 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Visit the farm store for locally grown meats and vegetables, as well as other locally made products. The shop features its own grass-fed beef and pasture-raised eggs and pork.

MUNSON'S CHOCOLATES
860.649.4332
Main store and factory: 174 Hop River Road, Bolton, CT 06043
Many locations throughout CT. Visit website for details.
Founded in 1946, this third-generation business is Connecticut’s largest retail chocolate manufacturer.

ROSE'S BERRY FARM
860.633.7467
295 Matson Hill Road, South Glastonbury, CT 06073

SWEET PEA CHEESE FARM/HAYES DAIRY
860.653.4157
151 East Street, North Granby, CT 06060
Open daily 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
This farm offers a variety of products, including the farm’s goat and cow milk.

THE GARLIC FARM
860.653.0291
76 Simsbury Road, West Granby, CT 06090
Open daily July-Oct.: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

THOMPSON CHOCOLATE
800.648.4058
80 South Vine Street, Meriden, CT 06451
Established in 1879, continues the tradition of making delicious foil wrapped chocolate specialties.

TSCHUDIN CHOCOLATES & CONFECTIONS
860.759.2222
100 Riverview Center, Middletown, CT 06457
Hand-made chocolates and confections. Tours & tastings available by appointment.

TULMEADOW FARM ICE CREAM
860.658.1430
255 Farms Village Road, West Simsbury, CT 06092
Scoop ice cream at the farm store mid-April through October. Ice cream pies, ice cream sandwiches and ice cream on a stick are available year-round.

URBAN OAKS ORGANIC FARM
860.223.6200
225 Oak Street, New Britain, CT 06051
Farm stand open year round; Fri. 3-6 p.m. and Sat. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
All certified organic, greenhouse and/or high tunnel grown late winter/early spring greens, hot peppers and assorted fish herbs.

Sugar Shacks:

ARLOW'S SUGAR SHACK
860.653.3270
101 Bushy Hill Road, Granby, CT 06035

BROOKSVALE PARK SUGAR SHACK
203.287.2669
524 Brooksvale Avenue, Hamden, CT 06518

DURHAM SUGAR HOUSE
860.349.6806
28R Burwell Newton Drive, Durham, CT 06422

HURST FARM SUGAR HOUSE
860.646.6536
746 East Street, Andover, CT 06232

MAPLE GROVE FARM
203.457.1304
3424 Durham Road, Guilford, CT 06437

MOORE’S SUGAR SHACK
860.399.2279
413 Pond Meadow Road, Westbrook, CT 06498

NORTHWEST PARK SUGARHOUSE
860.285.1886
145 Lang Road, Windsor, CT 06095

RICK’S SUGAR SHACK
860.2676.7117
69 Collie Brook Road, East Hampton, CT 06424

WAYNE’S SUGARHOUSE
203.488.3549
89 Cedar Lake Road, North Branford, CT 06471

Resources:

Connecticut Department of Agriculture
This website features CT Farm-to-Chef participants and CT-grown producers, providers and dining venues.

Connecticut Northeast Organic Farming Association
Includes information on farmers’ markets, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and CT Farm-to-Chef programs.

Local Food Guide to Connecticut
Includes information on local farms and foods, farm stands, farmers’ markets, pick-your-own and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).

Local Pickins
Local Pickins is your online guide to all things fresh, local and edible in the ever-expanding local foods marketplace. From produce stands to butcher shops, pasta to cheese, ice cream to chocolate, cupcakes to bread, and farmers’ markets to food trucks, Local Pickins has searched neighborhoods for the freshest purveyors.

Connecticut Sugarhouses