Right in the heart of New York City, the Union Square Greenmarket bursts with life every week. Shoppers stroll past stalls overflowing with fresh fruits, crisp vegetables, and fragrant herbs, all sourced from local New York farms.
The air buzzes with friendly chatter, laughter, and the irresistible aroma of baked goods and seasonal treats. It’s a place where city energy meets countryside charm, making each visit feel like a mini escape.
From artisanal cheeses to vibrant flowers, the market captures the spirit of New York’s community and its love for fresh, homegrown flavors.
1. Heirloom Tomatoes
New York gardeners rave about these colorful fruits with their rich, complex flavors you’ll never find in supermarkets. The vibrant hues range from sunny yellow to deep purple. Growing them in your garden connects you to generations of farming tradition. Many New York vendors offer rare varieties passed down through families for centuries.
2. Purple Basil
Unlike its common green cousin, this stunning herb adds dramatic color and spicy flavor to any garden. The deep purple leaves create a beautiful contrast against other plants. Many New York chefs seek this variety specifically for its unique taste profile. When crushed, the leaves release an intoxicating aroma that’s slightly stronger than traditional basil.
3. Alpine Strawberries
Tiny but mighty, these sweet little berries pack more flavor than their larger cousins. Their compact growth habit makes them perfect for containers or border plantings. New York gardeners love how these woodland natives produce fruit from spring through fall. Unlike commercial varieties, alpine strawberries grow true from seed and produce adorable cone-shaped berries.
4. Lemon Verbena
The intense citrus scent of this herb will transport you straight to summer, no matter the season. Just brushing against the leaves releases an uplifting fragrance that brightens any garden. Gardeners across New York treasure this plant for both culinary and aromatherapy uses. The slender, pointed leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season for teas, desserts, and potpourri.
5. Russian Kale
Forget those tough, bitter greens from the grocery store. This heirloom variety offers tender, oak-shaped leaves with a surprisingly sweet flavor, especially after frost. New York urban farmers recommend this super-hardy green for beginners. The beautiful blue-green leaves with purple highlights continue producing well into the cold months when other greens have given up.
6. Japanese Maple
These architectural beauties transform any garden space with their delicate, lacy foliage and stunning fall colors. The compact varieties available at the market fit perfectly in urban New York gardens. Many sellers offer rare cultivars you won’t find at big box stores. Their slow growth makes them ideal specimen plants that increase in value and beauty each year.
7. Ground Cherries
Hidden inside paper-like husks, these golden fruits taste like a magical blend of pineapple and vanilla. The plants have a charming sprawling habit that works well in garden borders. New York community gardeners often share these as they’re prolific self-seeders. Once the husks turn papery and tan, the sweet little fruits inside fall to the ground—hence their playful name.
8. Lavender
The calming scent and silvery foliage make this Mediterranean native a must-have for any garden. Several vendors offer varieties specifically selected to thrive in New York’s climate. Beyond its beauty, lavender attracts beneficial pollinators while repelling many garden pests. The flowers can be harvested for culinary use, sachets, or dried bouquets that preserve summer’s essence year-round.
9. Garlic Scapes
These curly green shoots are actually the flower stalks of hardneck garlic varieties. Their mild, nutty flavor has made them a chef’s secret weapon in New York kitchens. Grab some to plant in your garden and you’ll get two harvests—scapes in spring and bulbs in summer. The unusual spiral shape adds whimsical vertical interest to any garden bed.
10. Mexican Sour Gherkins
Looking like tiny watermelons no bigger than grapes, these adorable cucumbers are conversation starters. Their crisp texture and tangy flavor make them perfect for snacking right off the vine. New York container gardeners love how these vigorous climbers maximize vertical space. The delicate vines produce dozens of the marble-sized fruits throughout summer and into fall.
11. Nasturtiums
Both the round leaves and bright flowers of these trailing plants are edible with a peppery kick. Their vibrant blooms in sunset hues brighten any New York garden from spring until frost. Perfect for beginning gardeners, they thrive on neglect and poor soil. The flowers attract beneficial insects while their sprawling habit makes them ideal for hanging baskets or spilling over garden walls.
12. Black Raspberries
Sweeter and more intense than their red cousins, these native berries produce abundantly in partial shade. The young canes have a beautiful blue-purple bloom that adds winter interest. Many New York gardeners prefer these over store varieties for their complex flavor. The plants form graceful arches that can be trained along fences or allowed to create natural thickets.
13. Bronze Fennel
The feathery, copper-colored foliage of this herb creates a stunning backdrop for other garden plants. Its anise scent repels some pest insects while attracting beneficial butterflies to New York gardens. Both the leaves and seeds are culinary treasures with distinctive licorice flavor. The tall, airy plant adds architectural interest and movement, especially when catching the golden afternoon light.
14. Cardoon
This dramatic relative of the artichoke brings architectural drama with its silver-blue spiky leaves. The impressive size makes it a perfect focal point in New York garden designs. Beyond its stunning appearance, the stalks are a delicacy in Mediterranean cooking. The purple thistle-like flowers attract beneficial insects and make striking dried arrangements for winter enjoyment.
15. Sweet Potato Vines
Available in lime green, purple, or black varieties, these trailing plants add dramatic color and texture. Many New York container gardeners use them to spill over edges of planters for instant tropical vibes. Unlike regular sweet potatoes, these ornamental varieties are grown primarily for their lush foliage. They grow quickly in summer heat and can easily be overwintered indoors as houseplants.
16. Shiso
Also known as perilla, this Japanese herb has serrated leaves in either green or dramatic burgundy. The unique flavor combines mint, basil, and anise with hints of cinnamon and citrus. New York chefs seek out this herb for both its flavor and beautiful garnishing potential. The plants grow vigorously in summer heat and will self-seed if allowed, returning year after year.