- Storing Winter Squash
- A NEW Retreat in May for Birthworkers: Calling all Midwives, Apprentices and Doulas!
- Permaculture Course in Belize February 21-March 6, 2015
Hi Friends,
Major cold temperatures and colds (not quite the flu) that last for weeks seem to be going hand in hand for a lot of folks this season. I know I am axiously awaiting the return of my voice! Of course this means I have been warming my chest (and the rest of me) with a nonstop roundup of delicious soups, including my squash coconut ginger soup that many of you have had the chance to try during one of my retreat weekends.
(Click here for a recipe)
Unfortunately this year I have had what seems to be more than usual loss of stored squash due to rot. Read below to understand the challenges and tips for storing squash all winter.
I am excited to announce a new retreat dedicated to the special women who have been called in service to mothers and babies everywhere. As you may be aware, my wife
Deborah is one of The
Farm midwives. Our two children were born here on The Farm and Deborah delivered our 4 grandchildren, so I have a special reverence for this sacred experience. The Birthworkers Retreat formed from collaboration with a doula/birthworker in Canada who wanted to organize a group trip to visit The Farm in May 2015. In putting together the logistics and structure for a weekend, we have decided to open it up as a celebration for any and all birthworkers. Read more details below.
The shift to a new year always carries with it a sense of renewed possibility, as we look ahead to warmer, sunnier days to accomplish our vision for the year and the years ahead. This excerpt from
The Farm Then and Now captures what I mean.
"Look into what The Farm calls “your heart of hearts,” your deepest, most sincere feelings, and determine your ultimate goals, where you want to be twenty years down the road as your objective. Knowing your destination, where will you be at half way, ten years from now? In five years you could have a degree, a career, a down payment, a reachable achievement. In order to get there, where will you be in two years? One year from now? What will you do today?"
Thank you for your interest and support!
Douglas
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Storing Winter Squash
Storing and preserving the vegetables through the winter presents their own set of challenges to the home gardener and homesteader. We find that growing food is just one half of the equation, and it is easy to be caught unprepared or find that the space and temperature requirements for storage can be hard to come by.
Consider the flavorful and nutritious winter squash, a winter staple. It is important to know which types are the best keepers when choosing which varieties to grow. Butternuts are generally considered to have the best "shelf life" and I have successfully stored my favorites, the Seminole squash or pumpkin, for up to a full year, cooking up the last few to make room for the incoming harvest.
Ideally you want to leave your squash on the vine until they are fully mature, developing hard skins. When you press your thumbnail against the skin it should not leave an impression or dent. However I have had success picking squash that were still slightly green on the eve of a frost and had them finish ripening in storage.
When harvesting your squash or pumpkins, leave 1 to 3 inches of stem. The stem will want snap away from the fruit, so always cut, don’t pull, the squash from the vines. Remember to never use the stem as a “handle” for carrying the fruits from the field. Although the squash "belly button" may dry and harden, it can also stay moist, oozing juices that can attract bacteria leading to rot. It is quite likely that you will end up with some fruits that have lost their stem, so plan to consume these first.
As you bring in your harvest, separate your Grade B, the ones without stem and any that have cuts or nicks in the skin, from those that qualify as Grade A. Any little scratch or cut provides an entrance for bacteria and rot. Always wash away the dirt, grime and mildew, before storing, and many "experts" suggest you wash your pumpkins and squash in a very mild chlorine bleach solution consisting of 2 TBS of bleach to one gallon of water.
It is also suggested that you cure the squash for ten days by placing them in a confined space at temperatures of at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 80 percent humidity. This helps harden the skin and concentrate the sugars, adding to the sweetness. Be careful not to over do it, which can make your squash dry and stringy, even bitter. I have never done this and find I achieve the same results once the squash have been stored for a month or two.
Squash should be stored one layer deep and should not touch each other to insure good ventilation. Do not store on a cement floor unless you place a layer of cardboard down first. The ideal storage temperature is 50 to 55 F and it is best to keep the storage temperature even, fluctuating temperatures will again encourage rot.
Visually inspect your squash every week, ideally turning the fruits occasionally to expose new areas to air. By examining your stored squash regularly, you can spot any rot as soon as it develops and before it engulfs the entire fruit. All is not lost.
Cut away the bad area and prepare it for dinner or the cooked squash can then be frozen for later consumption. I like to pressure cook the squash for approximately 5 minutes, then puree in a blender skins and all until velvety smooth, the first step for producing pies or one of my favorite recipes, coconut ginger squash soup.
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A weekend to celebrate all those called
in service to mothers, babies, and the miracle of birth.
For midwives, their assistants, apprentices and doulas
The Birthworkers Retreat has been created as a weekend of sharing and networking,
teaching and learning, reflection and empowerment.
The goal is to bring forth energy and rejuvenation, inspiration and sacred experience.
You are invited to attend a retreats that honor those who have chosen this very special path.
Grandmothers, mothers, daughters...Sisters who share a special bond.
The journey of the birthworker is so much more than a profession. To be a Birthworker is truly to heed a calling.
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with Albert Bates, Marisha Auerbach, Chris & Celini Nesbitt and Starhawk
Travel far south; to the back of beyond; to a remote valley accessible only by dugout canoe. Study permaculture surrounded by a lush, productive forest of edibles, medicinals and tropical hardwoods. Eat organic food, sleep in dorms powered by renewable energy, bathe in a sparkling pure river.... Field trips will include visits to a Mayan cacao farm, an underground river cavern and local permaculture projects. $1500 with meals & lodging. Contact the Mayan Mountain Research Center, www.mmrfbz.org and info@mmrfbz.org for information or to register for the Belize course.
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Farm Experience Retreats and Workshops 2015 Calendar
March 20-22 Farm Experience Weekend: Spring is our favorite time of year, and attracts our largest number of participants.
April 17-19 Farm Experience,The Land: On Saturday afternoon we'll hike to a waterfall in the 1475 acre Big Swan Headwaters Preserve. The Saturday night dinner and entertainment will be a fundraiser for Swan Trust.
May 22-24 Community & Sustainability Conference: Memorial Day Weekend
Your opportunity to explore the connection between lifestyle and intention.
June 3-7 June 3-7 Organic Gardening Intensive: Five days of hands-on gardening as well as garden tours on and Off-The Farm to visit Amish country, a bamboo nursery and more.
July 15-19 Summer Family Retreat: We'll spend the week swimming, hiking, listening to and playing music, enjoying really great food and each other's company.
September 18-20, October 16-18 Farm Experience Weekend: Don't miss fall on The Farm! the crisp, cooler temperatures are always a special time of year!
Now it's up to you. Register today!
Midwifery Workshops: www.midwiferyworkshops.org/
Swan Trust Activities & Hikes Contact: foreverwild@swantrust.org
Permaculture Apprenticeships: Learn straw, cob, earthbag, turf roofs, bamboo, thatch, clay plaster, adobe, alis, and food self-reliance at the Farm community.
Spiral Ridge Permaculture - Workshops and Classes
Meet your host: Douglas Stevenson
Green Life Retreats
A division of Village Media Services
PO Box 259Summertown, TN 38483
931-964-2590 - office 931-626-4035 cell
Douglas@villagemedia.com
www.villagemedia.com
www.greenliferetreats.com
www.douglasstevenson.com
Douglas@thefarmcommunity.com
