Garden of Ideas
By: Ilsa Svendsen
- Are you a locavore?
- Did you know that Garden of Ideas offers a special Thanksgiving produce box?
- What’s seasonal extension?
- Garden of Ideas are signers of the NOFA pledge.
Being a locavore is challenging in a town with so few farms. On Fridays, the Ridgefield Farmer’s Market provides one opportunity to obtain regional farm products. There’s another easy way: visit the Garden of Ideas Farm Stand on Route 116. This boutique farm and stroll garden is a hidden gem out our town, still unknown to many residents.
Owners Joseph Keller and Ilsa Svendsen grow a wide assortment of vegetables with a special emphasis on “season extension,” meaning they work to offer product earlier and later in the season than a traditional New England harvest schedule. Their farm stand is open from March 1st through Thanksgiving. This year they plan to offer a special Thanksgiving produce box (email or call for details).
Svendsen and Keller practice sustainable, authentic growing practices. They are signers of the NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association) Pledge. Essentially, they follow organic growing practices, but are not certified organic by the USDA. They invite visitors to the farm/gardens to see where crops are grown. “We try to grow the finest produce possible. Come taste it!” encourages Keller.
Farm Stand Hours: m-f 8am to 7pm, sat & sun 10am to 7pm
Stroll Garden Hours: Sat & Sun 10am to 4pm
Directions: Just east of the high school, on south side of Route 116, look for rustic fence and Garden of Ideas sign. Farmstand behind barn.
Garden of Ideas
647 North Salem Road
Ridgefield, CT
203-431-9914
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