What are you canning now?

[urban dreamer]

OOOOoooo I can't wait for summer!!!

And that's saying alot in 100 degree + Arkansas! I've got tomatoes growing, ONE green bean on my green bean plants and a dozen other things growing new leaves and flowers. I can't wait to have something from my own backyard to can!!!

Everyone wants me to make strawberry jam, but so far I've only gotten two strawberries in the freezer from my plants.

 

[Dragonfly Ranch]

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Our Blackberries bushes are LOADED with flowers this year and we are looking forward to a huge crop - which of course means many jars of jam and jelly. Made a mile high Blackberry pie this past weekend - I swear that thing is 4 inches high. Should have added a bit more sugar but we have been able to choke some down

We picked our first Artichokes this weekend and got most of the tomatoes planted - so the garden is on its way.

Sandee

 

[Dragonfly Ranch]

A few weeks ago I ordered a new canning book from the University of Georgia (the link is below) and can't wait to get it. This is the site that a lot of people here refer to when others have questions. A good deal for 375 pages, plus 180+ recipes for $18.00 with shipping included. I hoping it will come this week. Most excited to see the section on Salsa.

I need to get in touch with my friends in the Napa Valley to see if they want me to do another canning class this summer. So the book will come in handy for that too.

We tried the Baked Beans that we canned two weeks ago and they were good. Was a bit disappointed that I had to "Doctor" them a bit for more flavor - extra brown sugar, mustard and molasses, but then they were divine. Had them with BBQ hamburgers, homemade potato salad and was a nice - Welcome Spring dinner.

We cleaned 3 1/2 quarts of pearl onions that my husband grew from seed in the garden over the winter. Will make about 8 pints of the most wonderful Cocktail onions ever.

http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/publications/publications_uga.html

Sandee

 

[MissPrissy]

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Which book did you order?

 

[Acre of Blessings]

We planted 52 "Steak" tomato plants and we have about 32 "Heirloom" tomato plants to go, 8 are already planted, these were form seed. We have been harvesting green onions for the last 3 to 4 weeks and eating ad enjoying them fresh with our meals. i have already gotten about 2 1/2 to 3 lbs of strawberries so far....shared 1 lb with our neighbor. Made homemade ice cream for the first time tonight and we may never eat store bought again. Potatoes will soon be blooming but hubby is cutting them back this year again so that the nutrients will go to the potato instead of the flower. All other veggie plants are coming up and looking great. I still haven' found a seal for my pressure canner but I sure hope I do soon or I'll just have to buy a new canner.

 

[nhnanna]

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I have never heard of cutting back the potato plants. Do you do this before or after it flowers and how much do you cut?

 

[Dragonfly Ranch]

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Which book did you order?

Received my book yesterday. It is called "So Easy to Preserve". I was busy when I got home last night at 5:30pm, making a loaf of French Bread for my boss and his wife, replanting a Fox glove plant and two flats of Marigolds then getting dinner. So I was a bit disappointed that I barely got to crack the cover - but the few pages I looked at are great. Nicely done book similar to the style of the BYC cook book but lots of information on all aspects of preserving food. Even with the few pages I read I would already recommend. I'll keep you posted as I get to read more.

Sandee

 

[Acre of Blessings]

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I have never heard of cutting back the potato plants. Do you do this before or after it flowers and how much do you cut?

YOu do this after it flowers and you can cut them back to about 4 to 5 inches. It adds to the size and number of potatoes.

 

[nhnanna]

Quote:
I have never heard of cutting back the potato plants. Do you do this before or after it flowers and how much do you cut?

YOu do this after it flowers and you can cut them back to about 4 to 5 inches. It adds to the size and number of potatoes.

Thank you, I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks.

 

[Acre of Blessings]

Quote:
YOu do this after it flowers and you can cut them back to about 4 to 5 inches. It adds to the size and number of potatoes.

Thank you, I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks.

We are never to old to learn anything and if we never ask how can we learn.