Using your Own

My husband and I decided when we bought our house that we would garden and Can food for the winter. We have been doing it successfully for two years now. Considering the learning curve I think we have done pretty good. Neither one of us grew up canning food although I do remember going to my Great Grandparents house and seeing shelves full of canned food. THAT is now my inspiration.

So far we have harvested and either canned or froze everything from cabbage to chili. We even make our own stocks and sauces. It has definitely been a learning experience and let me tell you everyone has their own opinion on how to do it "RIGHT". For example, most people would agree the safest way to can is to follow the "canning bible", aka the Ball Canning Book. However if you talk to some old school canners they have a very different idea of what is right. So over the past two years we have taken in as much info as possible.

Most everything we save we have grown in our own backyard, which is nice because we know exactly where it came from. We chose to use heirloom seeds this year to see what the yield and taste difference might be. We also grew a few things we have never done before like popcorn, artichokes, many different beans, broccoli, beets, and brussel sprouts.  Some turned out and some didn't but we learned a lot and have modified our plans for next year.

Now we are just making sure the garden is prepared for winter...pulling everything, tilling and fertilizing. That is were the chickens come in.  One good thing about chickens is they give their poop for FREE.