Growing With Your Garden
As summer sets in, it’s time to think about your first harvest! Canning and gardening go hand-in-hand when you’ve got extra produce, but no situation is exactly the same, so we’ve broken it down into three levels. Of course, these levels are not all-inclusive. Sometimes the most skilled gardening pros are limited by space and sometimes beginners have the means to start big gardens right off the bat. Besides, it’s not so much about the size of the garden, but rather, what you can do with the produce!
So whether you fit into one of our three categories, or somewhere in between, we’ve got some great ideas to grow your canning skills and your garden with delicious results every time!
Level 1: Bag Full
You’ve got some herbs growing here and there with a desire to learn how to can, but most of your produce still comes from the grocery store. This is a great place to start!
Whether this is your first time preserving or you’re looking for a quick pickling fix, then we recommend trying our 1 Step Mixes or Instant Mixes to get started. If you have cucumbers, we’ve got the rest! For a sweet and spicy twist on pickles try our Cherry Habanero Pickling Mix.
Level 2: Basket Full
You’re somewhat limited by space, but you have the capacity for larger crops in a controlled environment with a small harvest for canning.
For our beginner gardeners we recommend trying our Refrigerator Mixes; these get you close to the results of canning but with less labor. Have some extra cucumbers? Our Sweet Pickles Refrigerator Mix can make hamburger-perfect pickles!
Level 3: Barrow Full
You have the means to operate a larger garden and you have crops to spare!
If you’re gathering extra produce, it’s a great time to learn how to can and get the most out of your hard work. Check out our Home Canning Guide for some fresh ideas and safety tips on canning. You can also try our Quick Process® or Seasoning Mixes for an easier way to can and start stocking your cellar!
Safety notes:
For canning safety, always consider your local altitude when calculating accurate processing times. Read this USDA guide for proper food safety and canning processing guidelines or consult the National Center for Home Food Preservation’s Guide 1 Principles of Home Canning. Also, prepare and process home canning jars and lids according to manufacturer’s instructions for sterilized jars. Keep jars hot.
Unless otherwise noted, user-submitted recipes have not been tested by the Mrs. Wages’ test kitchen and are not endorsed by the Mrs. Wages® brand or by KPFG. For more information, please read the legal notice.
