Get in where you fit in

Was Oakland rapper Too $hort  referring to farm life and the wild world of plants when he titled his 1993 platinum selling album: Get In Where You Fit In ? Perhaps. Or does the mind of a young farmer, influenced by 80's and 90's Hip Hop, find delight in the hustle and cooperation of the natural world? More Likely.
Its true. I am enamored with it all, and often refer to music lyrics like poetry to describe the current processes and magic I witness and participate in. Lately I have  "weeds" on the mind. Weeds are plants too, and deserve a better rap. Some are more or less desirable than others, all with a purpose. Mainly grow to fruition, make seed and continue the species. But there is more going on, or so I see. Bind Weed one of my favorite "frenemies" has driven me crazy and then taught me a lesson or few. One being: cover the earth either with plants or mulch, bare soil is less desirable and may be harmful. It also demonstrates a clever trick of wrapping itself up the stems and stalks of other plants and placing itself in a very advantageous position. There it is able to access light sometimes to the point of smothering its support plant(s). Or placing its own seed heads around the heads of grain. Then in the spring there is a good chance the bind weed will have a seed sprouting next to that same grain. Impressive. and I didnt mention yet that it also spreads underground by rhizome so pulling the plant out may reveal it is only the arm of a much larger system. "I got five on it" always comes to mind as I am on hands and knees, grabbing and pulling this one with all five fingers out of the ground.
 More desirable and edible weeds that we have here  include purslane, lamb's quarters, amaranth, and mallow. I promised you all I would harvest the most vibrant and abundant food from the farm, and during this period the wild plants are really working overtime. This is a challenging period as the cooler spring season crops suffer from the heat and begin to bolt and the summer heat loving crops have not had enough heat or time to develop.
 I am grateful to the other farmers who have supplemented our box with goodies from their farms and will while our summer crops here come to maturity. An opportunity for us all to work cooperatively and support eachother as growers. Once our summer produce starts kicking in, the volume and variety will pick up, but next week please expect a lighter box.


Here it is...
Box #4 June 26, 2012.


Lettuce :
Jericho romaine and Mikola Red Butter.

Cabbage Leaf :
Looks like Collard leaf but these are the outer leaves of young cabbage heads to be, or not to be.  Some of the cabbage plants will not be heading up due to heat and being planted later than desirable. Delicious steamed or sauted like collards or kale, but with a uniquely cabbage flavor. While harvesting I was reminded of a funny cabbage trick. For headaches place a large cool cabbage leaf on the head like a hat. the leaf should draw heat up and help alleviate your head discomfort. Plus you may make some new friends if you go out in public like that.

Corn Flour:
Git out yer skillet! This is home milled corn flour. from Painted Mountain Corn. grown here at Full Moon Farm. Some of our CSA members even helped to plant it last year. I swear you can taste the community support! If not used within a week, please store in glass jar, refrigerated to preserve freshness.
Makes a great corn cake or corn pone!

Chives :
Extra Fine Chives from BioFarm. This is one of Judith's specialties. try them on your corn cakes. If not used immediately, Judith recomends cutting the chives into small pieces and storing in a plastic/glass tub in the freezer, pull it out and dole out some chive pieces on your dishes at your convienence.

Cilantro :
With a side of fresh Coriander seed. A young woman once told me that cilantro is "the essence of fresh."
I tend to agree with that. The seed of cilantro is called coriander, maybe you already know this. Two delicious and different tasting parts of the same plant. The seeds are from overwintered plants and the leaves are from spring planted plants.The leaves are great on almost anything -chop finely add to salad, salsas or as side.  the seeds are great soaked  in a vinegar or pickling brine, added to mexican or indian meals. have fun with this one.

Purslane:
After last weeks mini intoduction to purslane i hope you are ready for more. After a weeks growth, notice a change in flavor, a little more sour and more of a buttery oilyness to it.  Im telling you, this plant will help us thru global warming. Here is the picture I get: able to adapt to extreme weather, finds opportunities to thrive and with vigor-goes for it, quickly taking advantage of available resources (water, soil nurtrients, sunlight) Very adaptable to moisture and drought conditions. Succulent and dense. Providing the essential buiilding blocks for humans to adapt and thrive among extreme weather, repair cells and maintain healthy fluid levels. The theme of this weeks box is Get in where you fit in. Partially inspired by the wild edibles in our veggie field.

Oranges :
These oranges come to us from Gail Dyne at Buckingham fruit and nut farm on the Buckingham peninsula of Clearlake.
A special treat from a very special microclimate in Lake County. oranges are frost sensitive and would never survive in the valley here, but surrounded by the lake and on a semi steep hillside, these nearly 60 year old trees have lived a good productive life.Citrus has become like a rare tropical fruit to me since living here. Hope you enjoy them too.

Beets/ Carrots :
these items come to us from Teale Love, Another very special treat coming to us from the hillsides of Lake County.  I'll give you more info when I update this tonight. -Grown in Teales hoophouse, protected from weather extremes, bugs and wind. Teale is very excited about these carrots,and I am too. Carrots can be a challenge, especially in heavy clay or rocky soil, which we have in lake county
Beautiful carrots and beets. Thanks Teale.

Sunflower:
An early volunteer this year. some multi headed, some single headed. Sentinel in the garden. Habitat for pests and beneficials alike. bringer of so much summer joy!