What are you canning now?

[rancher hicks]

Re: squash polination

I use to have problems with polination in my garden, not just squash but with everything. Since my neighbor decided to raise bees my garden is so much more productive. His "girls" are over in my garden all the time. I do my part by not spraying anything on my garden that would harm his bees. If he were to stop raising bees, I might give it a try myself because it has made such a difference. He sells honey and wax products at the farm market.

Something to consider if you have polination problems.

I have a row of Rose of sharon trees/bushes along one side of my garden and while they are full of flowers each year there is nary a bee seen. I have and do consider putting in a hive and have done some research but they require more care than I have time to give. I don't have the time to harvest honey nor the money for the equipment to do so. I've looked into having someone put a hive of their own up but no takers. Perhaps due to my location. I suspect they have plenty to do on their own. I had thought that honey would not need to be harvested but much to my disappointment I was told I would have to harvest the honey.

I have read recently that over harvesting may be part of the bees demise. I read this in the latest TSC mag that you can get for free.

 

[rancher hicks]

Can we can pesto? If not why?

If you are making Sun Dried tomato pesto I expect you could can the tomatoes to use as a latter date. I do know you can freeze pesto and basil. You might like to try freezing the basil ground up in Ice cube trays and then making up pests as you need it.

 

[rancher hicks]

I just told this to my husband...he now thinks he has free reign to um....go...all over the yard. Not sure what the neighbors will think.

Think this will work on chipmunks??? They have devestated my peach trees and are now turning their attentions to my blueberry bushes! Grrrr....

ETA : at least they leave my garden alone!

Well you've nothing to lose by trying. I would tie the rag low on the tree and see what happens. If you know where their hole is you might try stuffing a rag in there and soaking it in Mint oil, as I've read mice don't like mint and chipmunks are just cute mice. (rodents).

Since mint is invasive you might try planting mint in the orchard and let it have it's way. If stepped on it you'll just release the oil and it will not kill the plants I'm sure. I have some Pineapple mint that look very pretty and I suspect if it weren't in a raised bed would take over the place. This is the first year I planted it and it's tripled in size. By the way the chickens don't bother my lemon balm nor the mint either.

 

[Arielle]

This is the first year I planted it and it's tripled in size. By the way the chickens don't bother my lemon balm nor the mint either.

OMG ! Something chickens won't eat!!

 

[clucksbc]

I have been busy dealing with the blessing of a yard bursting with lemon balm and mint...
canned lemon balm syrup...mmhhh..
and a batch of mint jalapeno jelly...so mmhh tasty with apple cider vinager lemon and sugar...
only problem is still hasn't set...the recipie called for liquid certo...
stuck 2 boxes.in...maybe I let it hard boil a bit to long..was still sauce in the morning
so reprocessed with 2 powdered boxes...STILL thin...
any ideas...it was a double batch...maybe I should add more sugar????
now I am canning rasberrie syrup...
am running out of jelly jars...

 

[holyhart]

I have been busy dealing with the blessing of a yard bursting with lemon balm and mint...
canned lemon balm syrup...mmhhh..
and a batch of mint jalapeno jelly...so mmhh tasty with apple cider vinager lemon and sugar...
only problem is still hasn't set...the recipie called for liquid certo...
stuck 2 boxes.in...maybe I let it hard boil a bit to long..was still sauce in the morning
so reprocessed with 2 powdered boxes...STILL thin...
any ideas...it was a double batch...maybe I should add more sugar????
now I am canning rasberrie syrup...
am running out of jelly jars...

Not sure about syrups, but you are not suppossed to double the recipes for jams/jellies as they don't set well. I wonder if you let it boil longer to let it cook off some of the extra moisture if it would thincken up for you?? Not sure...

 

[krcote]

I agree with holyhart, I've had a couple bad setting experiences when I doubled and tripled batches.

Now that the babe's in bed, I'm working on pressure canning some home grown chicken stock.

 

[sonew123]

Natalie - freeze them in yogurt containers and it's already portioned for you.

Heeeyyyyy good idea! I just love you guys!

 

[Mehjr10]

The pepper jelly we made last summer took five days to set, something to do with the peppers. We used sure jell. So give them time hopefully they will do the same.


We made two batches of Bread and Butter squash yellow and zucchini with a kick of crushed red pepper. They turned out great.

 

[clucksbc]

thanks for your help
will still hold out hope then...
if not oh well..
will be turning 2 bags of strawberry rhubarb..
into jam today...
so love the satisfaction of canning...sugars on special this week
guess who will be comming home with 3 bags