Walnut Harvest Fiesta Nov 3

rainbow! could our apple trees be the pot o gold?

Momentus day on the farm today.
 Greens harvesting in the first rain of the fall. This is in the top 5 of favorite activities . The greens are in their prime and the prominent rain drops on their leaves really make them shine. While harvesting and singing a little tune I happened upon another skink! remember that little dragon from a couple weeks ago?! this guy, bright metallic blue tail intact, wriggled out from his earthen crevice to hide among the kale roots. Ooh. and Later while clipping mustard leaves I found a small and still, black snake with red, blue, and tan markings. Curled ever so tightly under the stems of Ho Mi Z. I hope both of these companions feast on the cucumber beetles, aphids, cabbage moth catepillars and harlequin bugs lurking in the shadows on Brassica Blvd.

  Placed our order for the materials of a 30' x 96' semi gable hoophouse. Made of steel tubing and covered with greenhouse plastic, this structure will allow us to grow high quality vegetables in the soil earlier, later and efficiently in the season. Like a greenhouse, this enclosed environment may be 20 degrees warmer in early spring allowing us to get a head start on crops like greens, roots and herbs and summer crops like tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. During the summer the protected environment with roll up sides and end walls will allow for full ventilation during the day and some warmer temps at night due to residual heat held in by the cover. Also research shows some pests are less of an issue in covered environments like cucumber beetles and birds. Meaning less damage to crops. Later in the season as temps cool, warm loving crops will produce for a few weeks longer than out in the field, and challenging winter crops will thrive in the protection and moderated climate of the hoophouse. In addition to to the season extension benefits, we may have a more humid environment meaning less irrigation required (water conservation), and dense plantings in high fertility soil means more vegetables per square foot, meaning more economic and efficient work environment for farmer. Hoop house culture has been of great interest to me and the world as our climate gets more extreme. This is certainly one rare case where I choose to use a large amount of plastic and feel good about it.

I am also happy to introduce our new intern Alex.  Alex has joined our farm through the work experience ag intern program at Mendocino College. Alex will be learning alongside our farmer as we begin construction on the hoop house and earning college credits. Full Moon Farm is happy to be a part of this exciting educational experience. Intern opportunities available! Choose your interest and we set your learning objectives together.

Walnut Harvest 2012

This weeks wind and rain should knock most of the nuts off the trees and you should get your buns up here! Celebrate the completion of our first CSA season and the harvest of our dry farmed walnuts.
Come out to the farm the weekend of Nov 3.
Campout Friday and Saturday night.
Harvest all day saturday then we dine and sit around the fire. savor the seasonal bounty, and fill the night with mirth and merriment.
please rsvp.
mooneymanna at gmail

In the box:

Red Russian Kale: Full Moon. Oops I did it again. Like Jay Z says "its so necessary"

Ho Mi Z Mustard: Full Moon. Gorgeous, high turgidity and some spiciness if eaten raw. Mellows with cooking. The larger leaves also seem to have less mustardy heat. Awesome. the thick midrib crunches like celery. perhaps a peanut sauce over sauted greens is in order.

Yukina Savoy: Full Moon. These guys have hit their second wind so look out. big heads Oy Savoy!
Excellent asian green like spinach.

Green and Yellow Beans: Full Moon. Another family affair picking beans this weekend. This time we got some of the green provider beans as well as yellow wax bean.

Scrunions: Full Moon. Incredible  little onion.

Butternut Squash: Leonardis Organics. Fall time Classic. Roast, and toast the good life cuz its dinner time-Butternut Style!

Granny Smith Apples: Full Moon.First sizable harvest from our 3 and 4 year old granny smith trees. Tart plus sweet. Great for baking and eating fresh. Did someone say pie?

Farmer Jim Leonardis in his field of winter squash

Leonardis Organics winter squash family portrait.

Winter Squash Blowout! Case Sale!

Jim Leonardis has an abundance of winter squash and heirloom pumpkins. Enjoy the flavor and warmth of Lake County produce all winter long. Stored in a cool and dry environment, some will last up to 6 months.
Baked, Roasted, Pureed, in Pies, Soups, and Entrees. Fantastic flavors and strong nutrition profile, great value.
Makes a great holiday edible centerpiece.
Please place email order by  saturday night(10/27) for next tuesday (10/30) delivery. and again next month (11/10) for another delivery available mid November.
30lb case of winter squash for $27. 40lb case for $34.
many varieties to choose from. mixed or single variety per case. no limit.
pictured above starting at the top left and spiraling in clockwise we have...

Red Kuri Squash. Red Kuri  is thick-skinned orange colored winter squash that has the appearance of a small pumpkin without the ridges. Inside the hard outer skin there is a firm flesh that provides a very delicate and mellow chestnut-like flavor. They are good for pies and purees because specks of skin (being red) will not show. Also know as Orange Hokkaido. avg weight 4-7 lbs.

Cinderella Pumpkin.   A unique French heirloom whose correct name is "Rouge vif D'Etampes". The source of their nickname it that they resemble the pumpkin that Cinderella's fairy godmother transformed into a carriage. This pumpkin is recorded as having been the variety cultivated by the Pilgrims and served at the second Thanksgiving dinner. This is our favorite pumpkin variety. There is something magical about them. Cinderellas make a delightful decorative accent for the fall season, but additionally their flavor is good for any pie or winter squash recipe.avg. weight 20-30lb.

Fairy Tale. This is an old time pumpkin from France. It is deeply ribbed and has a very smooth hard surface. It is dark green in color when immature, and as it cures it turns a gorgeous deep mohagony. Very unique flavor. It is fine grained and well suited to baking.  It's true name is: Musque De Provence. avg weight. 12-20lbs

Hokkaido Stella Blue. An exceptional winter squash. Sweet, richly flavored, fiberless flesh is delicious, dry, and almost flaky. Medium-sized, round, slightly flattened, blue fruits store well. avg weight 3-6lb

Buttercup.  Kabocha type. It has a deep orange fiber-less flesh. It is medium-dry with a rich sweet flavor. Buttercups become sweeter after a few weeks, so don't be afraid to store this one.avg weight  2-6lb

Blue Ballet Hubbard. much smaller and more marketable Blue Hubbard. Smooth-skinned, blue-gray fruits are medium size, avg. 4-7 lb., with sweeter, bright orange, fiberless flesh. Stores well.

 Carnival. Isn't it attractive?!? The best part? It tastes as good as it looks! It will store for several months and still maintain an excellent eating quality. Their flavor is somewhere between an Acorn and Delicata. Yummy! avg weight 3-6lb

Green Acorn. Acorn squash has an orange yellow flesh. Their flavor is sweet and nutty with a smooth texture. For best sweetness wait at least 2 weeks after harvest before you eat them. Acorns are quick and easy to prepare. Yum! avg weight 3-6lb

Gold Acorn. Just like the green acorn, but bright gold skin and sweeter flavor. avg weight 3-6lb

Butternut. Butternut has the longest storage potential of all squash varieties. The longer you store it, the sweeter and nuttier the flavor becomes. Their flesh is orange, smooth-textured, and has a unique sweet flavor — particularly after 3 months storage. It will easily store in a cool, dry place through February. This squash is commonly used for pies and is terrific as a stand-alone entrée. avg weight 3-8lb

(Most descriptions clipped from http://www.allaboutpumpkins.com/varieties.html)