With the downturn in the weather, and even a few sprinkles of rain, all of a sudden we’re into Autumn!
Paw Paw Party Time!
Native to the Midwest and Eastern U.S. states, paw paws (Asimina triloba) are difficult to grow in the Bay Area but definitely doable! After a slow start 5-6 years ago, many of the Mother Farm’s 20 varieties of paw paw trees are now heavy with the fruit that looks like an enormous jelly bean.
The custardy flesh comes in a spectrum of tastes, from cinnamon-banana to mango. Squish it into your mouth, scoop out with a spoon, or freeze to make paw paw ice cream.
The custardy flesh comes in a spectrum of tastes, from cinnamon-banana to mango. Squish it into your mouth, scoop out with a spoon, or freeze to make paw paw ice cream.
Young paw paws need some protection from sun and wind, and the flowers require flies, not bees, to fruit. Our East Oakland Nursery carries many varieties of paw paw, including seedlings that could be the next big flavor!
(Have you heard this PBS Newshour segment on paw paws?)
Mother Farm Team Training
While we love teaching and sharing our urban permaculture propagation orchard and food forest with volunteers and students, we also love to learn more about the land and the trees and plants we steward.
Thanks to a Technical Assistance grant from REDF, the Planting Justice Mother Farm team is currently learning all about the land and plants we steward from local experts Maya Blow of Soul Flower Farm and John Valenzuela and Christine Chiu of Cornucopia Food Forest Gardens / CA Rare Fruit Growers, Golden Gate Chapter.
John (right) discusses summer pruning techniques...
...
as well as how to use a spectrometer to measure a peach’s sugar content on the brix scale.
As these training sessions will continue throughout the year, we’re excited to learn more both about the land during different seasons as well as how to share the knowledge with all the volunteers and students who visit us!
Maya (second from right) showed the Mother Farm team how to create a First Aid kit...
...made out of the herbs and “weeds” found on the land...
...and resuling in a wound wash and a pain powder!
As Always, Volunteers Welcome!
Volunteers are welcome to join us on the land for rewarding work weekly, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, or on Second Saturday of each month. Click here to sign up!
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