You walk into the farmers market, and you're bowled over by the bounty: Fields of leafy salad greens, bold red tomatoes, stacks of corn still warm from the sun.

What else can you do but buy? And so you do. Then you make your way farther into the market. Better-looking tomatoes — at a better price. And more kinds of greens.

You hear a farmer making a deal with a buyer: He'll throw in an extra ear of corn if the guy buys a dozen. Sweet.

If only you'd waited, right? It's one of the basic rules of the market.

"Go through once, see what people have, and at what price," says Bob Pfeiffer, chairman of the South Milwaukee Downtown Market Committee.

"Look around the entire market. See who might have a better deal," adds John Zentgraf, market manager of the venerable West Allis Farmers Market.

These and other tips ring true this year, as farmers markets see especially brisk business in a tight economy.

"It's a big year for the farmers market," says Zentgraf. "People are appreciating these markets more and more."

Right now, things are heating up in the verdant aisles of local markets as they make the transition from high season and head toward fall. Sweet corn is taking its final bow, and tomatoes are on their way in (at least in northern climes, where cherry tomatoes are showing up and will be followed in the next few weeks by the bigger varieties.)

What do you need to know about navigating the green market these days? Here are some market tips from Pfeiffer, Zentgraf and Bobbi Harvey, manager of the Brookfield, Wis., Farmers Market.

Break down your bills: "Come with singles and fives," says Pfeiffer. It makes life easier for vendors, and for you.

Bring your own bags: The bags used by vendors can be flimsy — especially if you plan on toting them with a hefty load of tomatoes or onions, says Brookfield's Harvey. Consider a canvas bag. Better yet, bring a wagon if you plan on doing a lot of shopping.

Come back later: If it's early in the day and you plan to do a lot of shopping, some farmers will hold your purchase for you.

Consider dinner: Produce is always best when fresh. Look at what might make a fine dinner on the evening you shop. "Plan a meal around what looks good," says Harvey.

Ask for recipes: If a farmer is sitting behind a table piled high with sweet corn, chances are he has some ideas on how to cook it.

Ask how to "winterize" your produce: As we head into fall, it makes sense to look at all that produce and find ways to preserve it.

"Some have freezing recipes," says Zentgraf. You might be surprised at what you learn, he adds. "I've got some great recipes for freezing cantaloupe, which a lot of people think you can't do."

Ask for a deal: "You can bargain to some degree," says Pfeiffer. This is especially true if you plan to buy, for instance, a bushel or two of tomatoes for canning.

Why you should go early: You'll find the best selection, but guess what? Everyone else has the same idea.

"More and more people are going to the markets," says Zentgraf. It'll be crowded, and if you want to ask questions of farmers and vendors, they'll be busy and less likely to have time to chat. But you will have the best produce of the day for the picking. The farmers "just put everything out, so your selection will be a little better," Zentgraf says. "Go early for specific things that are hard to come by."

Why you should go late: You'll find the best deals. "Go late to bargain," says Zentgraf. Farmers would rather sell than load it up and take it back home. Besides, the market is less crowded and farmers have time to chat.

Take your time: As more people head to markets, they're discovering a laid-back social scene. Carve out some time to slow down and enjoy.

"Ours is a very social market," says Harvey, the Brookfield market manager. "Many people will come and have breakfast and sit at the picnic tables."

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