St. Louis Late Summer Produce Guide

When the heat of summer begins to blend into cool, crisp fall days, it's time to enjoy the harvest that only comes at the end of summer. For Missouri, this means getting ready to enjoy ripe apples, summer squash, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, corn, okra, berries, melons and pears. Local farmers at Vesterbrook Farm explained what farming is like in the area during the heat of the summer in an Ask A Farmer: St. Louis Summer Produce Guide. Enjoy the best summer fruits and vegetables, and then even more by visiting these great spots to find the best late summer produce in the area.

Ferguson Farmers Market
20 S. Florissant Road
Ferguson, MO 63135
(314) 324-4298
www.fergusonfarmersmarket.com

Some locals refer to this favorite spot for fresh produce as a "Saturday morning tradition." Discover for yourself as strangers become fast neighborly friends while they shop among more than 40 regular vendors from the bi-state area. Enjoy a small town market in the heart of Ferguson's Citywalk district, and it's easy to find from just about anywhere within the north county area. Select your produce with confidence, because vendors pick their crops within 24 hours of bringing them to market.

Clayton Farmers Market
N. Central Ave. between Maryland Ave. and Forsyth Blvd.
Clayton, MO 63105
(314) 620-0576
www.claytonfarmersmarket.net

Discover the freshest Missouri and Illinois have to offer along with seasonal cooking demonstrations from professional local chefs. Find locally grown foods in the central area hub where shoppers enjoy an outdoor market atmosphere Thursdays from May through October. Bring the kids to enjoy children's entertainment while you kick back to the sounds of a live band, and samples of featured products. Don't even worry about parking when you come to the corner of Maryland and North Central Avenue where you will find valet parking, or find a free parking meter on the street after 5 p.m.

Soulard Market
730 Carroll St.
St. Louis, MO 63104
(314) 622-4180
www.soulardmarket.com

Shop, enjoy a quick bite to eat and shop some more while the kids play on the playground. This refreshing stop near downtown is the largest and oldest local farmers' market, beginning in 1779. Probably the most well-known farmers' market in the city, this popular gathering place is home to several of the best local farmer vendors in the area. The market includes such a large variety of produce and other goods that it takes up four wings and a Grand Hall all in a vastly spacious covered Renaissance-style building that is open year round from Wednesdays through Saturdays.

Related: Top Vendors At St. Louis Soulard Market

Green Bean Delivery
1071 Cool Springs Industrial Drive
O'Fallon, MO 63366
(314) 717-1099
www.greenbeandelivery.com

Get local farm-fresh produce delivered directly to your front door. The name of this fresh produce delivery service is more than meets the eye, with the "Bean" forming an acronym that stands for Biodynamic, Education, Agriculture and Nutrition. The company's main ambition is to create healthy, sustainably grown local food that is convenient, accessible and still fits within an affordable price tag. Sign up for an account online, and then customize your orders. The website updates depending on what is available and freshly in season from a network of local farmers.

Thies Farm and Greenhouses
3120 Creve Coeur Mill Road
St. Louis, MO 63146
(314) 469-7559
www.thiesfarm.com

Find fresh late summer produce from the plant, to the wagon and onto the market just acres away. This local farm transforms into Pumpkinland come late fall, but it's a fully functional farm and greenhouse throughout the rest of the year as well. This local farm grows more than 50 fruits and vegetables which are sold in a market on-site alongside hand-selected produce that are the cream of the crop from other area farmers. Stop by to enjoy a picnic on property, or take home some fresh veggies for dinner.

Related: Top Spots For A Picnic In St. Louis

Tere Scott is a freelance writer and author of e-books and two educational blogs. She loves to research information to share. She currently resides in St. Louis. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.