6/25/25 Farming with Nature: Skunk Edition 🦨
Sometimes, like last CSA, I wax poetic about farming with nature and then it bites us in the butt… or rather it tears up $1000+ worth of lettuce!
The past 2 weeks we’ve seen a skunk mom and 4 kits shuttling into culverts in the neighborhood above our house. Skunks are amazingly smart and sweet creatures. Saturday afternoon we spied them in a culvert on our property. Saturday night they went hunting in our fields. Skunks (and Raccoons too) love Earthworms.
We have exceptionally healthy soil with an abundance of Earthworms. One field in particular (field 4) has the soil surface largely composed of worm castings right now, the sign that there is an abundant population. What are castings? Worms eat soil and organic matter, mix that with digestive enzymes which breaks down complex nutrients into bioavailable forms. Castings improve soil structure, enhance water retention and provide slow-released source of nutrients plus introduce beneficial microbes which support plant health and suppress disease. Earthworms rock!
Back to Skunks and Raccoons: they also think Earthworms rock… but because they are delicious. Who knows how they have figured this out, but they learned if they can pull out a wide plant (like a lettuce head), it is a gateway to Earthworms. The mid-size to large lettuce heads keep the soil under them moister and protected from birds and worms just love it.
Saturday night, was a party in the fields. Over 100 Panisse oakleaf lettuce heads were pulled out with precision for hunting of the Earthworms below. Unfortunately no one was in the fields until Sunday 3pm when Elizabeth was watering and by that time the plants had all died. Devastated, she went and got some old Coyote Urine (yes you can buy this for getting rodents away) and applied all of it around in the pathways around these two Panisse beds. Now interestingly, we had interplanted Scallions in these two beds of Panisse. Three lines of lettuce with two lines of Scallions. The middle row of Panisse was almost not touched. We know the scallions keep birds off but apparently deters even more.
Monday morning, another 20 heads were pulled out. Elizabeth went down with crew and it was a very quiet and sullen moment. We decided we needed more Coyote Urine. I ran to Harmony Farm Supply and in chatting with them recognized maybe that wasn’t the best… skunks really don’t have predators so might not have been put off by the urine deterrent. We were advised to try Capsicum (black and hot pepper powder) which skunks don’t like to get on their soft paws (just like I don’t like to get hot pepper on my fingers). We bought 3 canisters of it and made a perimeter around the field. The result? Tuesday night another 20 heads of Panisse and 30 heads of Cegolaine lettuce (now they were moving down the field) were pulled out!!
Tuesday we were frustrated. Amaia, Leo and Sean found every rat trap we have (we didn’t think it would kill them but scare and maybe hurt their paws). We put out about 12 in the culvert where they were coming from and around the field. We even set the live trap. At first I didn’t consider this with a skunk because getting a skunk out of a live trap is no fun… but it had to be done. Lastly, I purchased new, fresher coyote urine and applied liberally. We’re thrilled to say that some of the rat traps were sprung this morning, the live trap was empty and not a single head of lettuce was disturbed. We’re sure the saga isn’t over but at least we seem to have come to a solution telling these
We won’t be planting more lettuce in that field anytime soon!! Sadly that Panisse was the plan for your CSA boxes next week, so we’ll have to pivot. Welcome to being flexible when working with Nature. We love it… and sometimes it’s a monumental challenge.
Produce Notes & Recipes
This Week’s Box
Lettuce Leaf Lettuce
Kale: Rainbow (Santa Rosa) OR Toscano (West County)
Napa Cabbage (Classic) OR Kohlrabie (Family)
Summer Squash (Santa Rosa) OR Cucumber (West County)
Herb: Parsley (Santa Rosa) OR Basil (West County)
Scallions
Walnuts (1/4 lbs from Double A)
Family: Cauliflower & Cilantro
Our outdoor Summer Squash is in fully production and some of them got a little big this week. Both of the light green varieties… the long ribbed Costata Romanesco and the oval Cousa both do particularly well large with small or minima seeds. Both also happen to do amazing grilled.
Summer Squash, Kale, Parsley Sauté with Lemon & Garlic
Serves: 4
Mixed Summer Squash, in half-moons or chunks
1 bunch kale, stems removed and leaves roughly chopped
1 bunch parsley, finely chopped (stems okay if tender)
3–4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced or minced
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
2–3 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional: red pepper flakes or a pinch of chili powder, grated Parmesan or toasted nuts/seeds
Prep the greens: Strip kale leaves from stems and chop. Wash and spin dry. Finely chop parsley.
Sauté squash: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high. Add squash and a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden in spots and tender, about 7–10 minutes.
Add garlic: Stir in garlic and cook another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add kale: Add chopped kale, another drizzle of oil, and a splash of water if the pan is dry. Cook 2–3 minutes, stirring, until kale is wilted and tender.
Finish: Turn off heat. Stir in lemon zest and juice, chopped parsley, and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Adjust salt to taste.
Serve: Warm or at room temperature. Top with Parmesan or toasted nuts/seeds for extra richness if desired.
We’re not having as good of a time with our Cucumbers, they’re really troubled by cucumber beetles. They look ugly on the outside but they are still delightful inside.
Napa Cabbage & Cucumber Slaw with Basil-Lime Dressing
Serves: 4
½ to 1 head Napa cabbage, thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
1–2 cucumbers, thinly sliced into half-moons (peel if tough-skinned)
½ cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, chopped or torn
2 scallions or a small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
2 tbsp rice vinegar or lime juice
2 tbsp olive oil or neutral oil
1 tsp honey or maple syrup
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional: toasted sesame seeds or chopped peanuts for topping
Prep the vegetables: Thinly slice Napa cabbage and cucumbers. Chop or tear basil. If using, slice scallions or red onion.
Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice (or vinegar), oil, honey, salt, and pepper.
Toss together: In a large bowl, combine cabbage, cucumber, basil, and onion. Pour dressing over and toss well.
Let sit (optional): Let slaw sit for 10–15 minutes for the flavors to meld, or serve immediately.
Serve: Top with toasted sesame seeds or chopped peanuts if desired. Great on its own, or alongside grilled proteins, rice dishes, or in wraps.
Families this week are getting very large Kohlrabi. Kohlrabi have very thick skins and when you peal that off they are lovely and crunchy on a hot day. We love it: cut into sticks with salt or hummus, grated onto a salad, or made into a slaw (great alone or on tacos).
Kohlrabi and Cilantro Slaw
1 large kohlrabi bulb, peeled shredded
1 small carrot, peeled and shredded (optional)
½ small red onion, thinly sliced
½ bunch fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
Juice of 1 lime (or more to taste)
2 Tbs olive oil (or neutral oil like sunflower)
1 tsp honey or maple syrup
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: a pinch of chili flakes or ½ a jalapeño, finely minced for heat
In a large bowl, combine kohlrabi, carrot, onion, and cilantro.
In a small jar or bowl, whisk together the lime juice, oil, honey, salt, and pepper. Add chili or jalapeño if using.
Pour the dressing over the slaw and toss well to coat. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Let sit for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Note on Cilantro. We love growing it but have a hard time and so virtually never will have enough for the entire CSA but you’ll find it on our Add-On store. We have Cilantro for Family Boxes today.
We have a second round of Raw Chandler Walnuts from our friend Alan Siegel of Double A Walnuts. He is local and these are just amazing. We have these throughout the year in our Add-On Store.
Extra Shares
Flower Share: Sunflowers are the highlight!
Lettuce Share: Red Butter & Panisse Oakleaf Lettuce 🥬
Bunched Greens Share: Red Russian Kale
Egg Shares: 🍳 We still have openings for Egg and also all the other Extra Shares… just email us.Extra Shares