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  • Writer's pictureKaren Seiger
    • Apr 11, 2014
    • 4 min read

Weekend Market Picks April 12 & 13, 2014: Rooftop Ready Seeds + ABCSA

Preparing seedlings - Rooftop Ready Seeds

Last week, ABC Kitchen, one of my very favorite restaurants, launched the second season of ABCSA, delivering locally grown, seasonal foods from the Hudson Valley to 100 fortunate and smart farm share owners. Anything created by Jean-George Vongerichten that involves the philosophy and aesthetic of ABC Carpet & Home is bound to be inspiring, beautiful and delicious.

I went to the gathering in abcmkt this week to learn more about the CSA, and I met some of the people who are providing the products. One that caught my attention was Rooftop Ready Seeds. It may have been the ceramic container of rich, dark dirt, or the tall guy with his hands in the dirt, but I really wanted to learn more about what he had on his table.

Zach Pickens is the founder of Rooftop Ready Seeds, and he has cultivated a collection of seeds that thrive in an urban agriculture setting (i.e. rooftops, fire escapes, window ledges). That evening, he was making the tiny starter pods by filling the contraption above with dirt and popping in a seed, much like the plastic seedling containers you get at most garden shops, only without the plastic.

Their online shop includes a rich variety of seeds for tomatoes, greens, flowers, edible flowers, herbs and more. Rooftop Ready Seeds is participating in ABCSA, providing a range of seedlings as part of the regular deliveries. Rooftop Ready Seeds also has its own seed CSA for urban gardeners, but, alas, it is closed for 2014. The good news is that you can sign up for the 2015 program now!

Visit Rooftop Ready Seeds online to learn more about the wonders of urban gardens. And to learn more about ABCSA, please send an email to abcsa@abchome.com!

Weekend Market Picks!

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Inwood Greenmarket: Manhattan’s northernmost farmers market, this one in Inwood is located right next to the beautiful Isham Park. It has all the produce and farm products you need to get this lovely new season started right! Textile recycling and compost collection too! 8AM – 3PM, Isham St. between Seaman Avenue and Cooper Street, Manhattan [Map]

Meat Mrkt Pop Up: NEW! This weekend kicks off this promising new market focusing on the urban experience. Bring some friends for fashion and design market, and stay for the art gallery, the DJ and the handmade vodka bar (Tito!). There is also a all-borough craft beer tasting on Saturday ($7). (Thanks to the skint for this tip!)  12PM – 6PM, 57 Thames St, Brooklyn [Map]

Prospect Heights Craft Fair at PS 9: I absolutely love the energy in this market event every year. Vendor fees and contributions go towards school programming at PS 9. The organizers always have a wonderfully curated group of true handmade artisans, many of whom are talented parents of students in the school. Spring shopping and activities for kids, including making their own crafts! 80 Underhill Avenue at St. Marks Avenue, Brooklyn [Map]

Vegan Shop Up: Back for its April event, this vegan friendly event features a great, great lineup of food vendors. So everything is safe for vegans and vegetarians. And if you are neither, I strongly encourage you to go anyway because I’ve had some delicious food at this event! I’m also intrigued by the non-food vendors that will be there, like Grape Cat (for the name alone, although the products look beautiful). 12PM – 6PM, Pine Box Rock Shop, 12 Grattan Street, Brooklyn [Map]

Saturday & Sunday, April 12 & 13, 2014:

Gallery La La Artisan Market: Every weekend, this market, also known as GLLAM gains more aficcionados for the fashion and design vendors who participate. They have a core group of designers, as well as a rotating group that changes every weekend. It is not too early to pick up something beautiful and unique for Mother’s Day! 12PM – 7PM, 138 Sullivan Street, Manhattan (Map)

Real NYC Market: If you are in a fashion rut, pop into this market. Prepare to spend some time, open your mind, and experience some of the coolest fashion and accessories in the city. I’ve found some of my favorite pieces in this market, and every weekend there are new designers to meet. It’s the debut of Fashionista Tea too, organic and fair trade tea for people who love tea and design. 11AM – 7PM, 233 Mott Street, Manhattan [Map]

The Marketplace at St. Anthony’s: If you’re going to be outside this weekend, then you have to stroll through this market alongside St. Anthony’s on Houston Street. If you haven’t been in a while, go check it out because there are more vendors than ever. Lots of treasures to be found, including lovely baked goods. Note: It’s a short walk among this market, GLLAM and the Real NYC Market, so visit them all! 10AM – Dusk, on West Houston Street between Thompson and Macdougal Streets, Manhattan (Map)

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Greenpointers Spring Market: I’m not sure how they do it, but the Greenpointers manage to create market events that are distinctly charming. I think it’s partly the twinkly lights and the carefully selected group of artisans and food makers. It is also effort they put into the details, like the photo booths and the DIY activities, which is not lost on me. 1PM – 7pm, Greenpoint Loft, 67 West Street, 5th Floor, Brooklyn [Map]

Enjoy the new warm weather! Also, Sunday is Opening Day at Coney Island!  Don’t miss the Blessing of the Rides!

~Karen Seiger, Markets of New York City

Zach Pickens of Rooftop Ready Seeds at ABCSA Event

Zach Pickens of Rooftop Ready Seeds at ABCSA Event


Rooftop Ready Seeds - preparing the seedling starters

Rooftop Ready Seeds – preparing the seedling starters


Rooftop Seeds - Each little square of dirt will grow a seedling

Rooftop Seeds – Each little square of dirt will grow a seedling


Seed Packets from Rooftop Ready Seeds in Brooklyn, NY

Seed Packets from Rooftop Ready Seeds in Brooklyn, NY



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