Green Thumb Farm Huntington CSA

Happy Autumn!

Because people are asking already…the last day of the CSA is December 15th…and the CSA pickup day for the week of Thanksgiving is WEDNESDAY, November 23rd.

Where are all the seeds from the Farsi Winter Squashes??? We’re getting another batch this week so PLEASE save and return them (see below).

This week’s email includes…

1. HELP! Your CSA needs you this week!!! We’re looking for TWO (2) folks to be at the CSA from 5:30 to 7:30pm…
2. Notes from the Farm
3. This week’s list…subject to change without notice (farming is like that)…
4. Daikon salad recipe
5. Saving seeds


1. HELP! Your CSA needs you this week!!! We’re looking for TWO (2) folks for 5:30 to 7:30pm…

If you can be at the CSA from 5:30 to 7:30pm today please…
1. Respond to this email before 1pm
2. Call 631-421-4864 and leave a message before 1pm
2. Call the CSA at 631-385-1079 after 3pm and ask to speak to someone from the CSA and leave a message
3. Show up a little before 5:30pm and see if there’s still any openings

You can ALWAYS stop by the CSA a little before 3:30 or 5:30 to offer to help in case someone doesn’t show up (or is late) without letting anyone know.



2. Notes from the Farm

November 4, 2011

Our last CSA weeks are here, and our summer crops are done. We picked Beans and Tomatoes up till last week, and then the killing frost arrived and that was the end of that! We had a good season with our Beans and Tomatoes.

The next few weeks, we’ll be featuring greens and roots. We still have Scallions, Carrots, Radishes, Turnips, Kales, and some Kohlrabi. Our Cauliflowers and Broccolis have not done so well due to so much rain over the last two months. So much rain tended to wash away the fertilizer and compacted the soil… two things cole* crops don’t like.
*http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/vegetables/colecrop.html

As it is every year, some crops do well while other do not. Organic farming, and relying on the weather for your livelihood, can be challenging at times. By growing a wide variety of crops we always have something doing well. Next year will be no different with some crops doing well and others not…and you never know which ones will be which.

We are so thankful for the support and understanding of all our CSA members, as we strive to produce a wide range of certified organic vegetables, herbs and fruits.

Organically yours,
Farmer Bill



3. This week’s list…subject to change without notice (farming is like that!)

November 10, 2011

1. Tat Soi
2. Lettuce – 1 bag
3. Radishes: China Rose, China White, Daikon, Misato (Watermelon) – need to be weighed
4. Garlic
5. Scallions
6. Winter Squash: Farsi (SAVE THE SEEDS)

Total Items: 6(?)



4. Daikon salad recipe…

http://sarahscucinabella.com/2010/02/03/easy-daikon-salad-recipe/



5. Saving Seeds

It’s that time of year again when Farmer Bill asks us to save the seeds for one or two varieties of our Winter Squashes.

How to save Winter Squash seeds…

Mission…remove gunk – dry out – prevent mold (if any of these actions are not accomplished the seeds need to be thrown out and your efforts will have been wasted) – label correctly (if you don’t do this, the incorrect plant may hybridize with another similar plant which defeats the efforts of saving the seeds…it’s being done to save a particular variety of plant – not to create a new one)

1. Remove seeds from Winter Squash and get off all the gunk (not a botanical or culinary term but the best I can come up with at the moment) by putting the seeds in a bowl of water and rubbing the gunk off COMPLETELY
2. Once all the gunk is off, drain off the water in a colander
3. Spread out the seeds in a single layer on a baking tray or a large piece of cardboard or any non-porous surface (don’t use newspapers or paper towels as it may stick to the seeds and…there are reasons but the short version is the farmer doesn’t want ANYTHING stuck to the seeds)
4. Every day move the seeds around to help facilitate drying and prevent mold
5. Let them dry for a week or two…longer than you think would possibly be necessary (do not try and speed process along by drying in a microwave or oven…it will kill the seed…yes, it’s been done by CSA members in the past)
6. When completely dry, pack in a paper bag or wrap in newspaper (NEVER in anything plastic) and label exactly what they are…This week I believe it will be Winter Squash - Farsi
7. Save a few for yourself if you wish to grow them next season in your own garden but please return the rest to the CSA (leave at the sign-in table) as the farm needs them more than you do

Any question…please ask.

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