All You Need to Preserve Your Garden Produce at Home!

If you have a garden in your backyard, you need to learn how to preserve your produce. Chances are you will have so many vegetables from your garden you will not know what to do with them. The good news is that home canning and preserving is easy and simple. There are some basic necessities you will need, but once you have collected the tools, you will be canning in no time! As a busy gardener I've had an abundance of preserved produce that has stocked my shelves for months to come! I'll cover the items you need to make your home preservation go easy and smooth. Remember that with the right tools, the job can be easy, but without the tools, you may have to struggle through the process.

The first thing you need is canning jars. The jars are made of glass and can be purchased at almost any home goods retailer. Even department stores such as wal-mart will carry canning jars in the summer time. These jars are commonly known as Mason jars. Be sure that you purchase only jars that are approved for canning. The glass is very specific and the seal needs to be completely air tight. The glass is also made so that it is sturdy and able to withstand the high temperatures needed to process the food inside. The glass jars may be used more than one time, but you will need to be sure that the top of the jars has no cracks or chips. The surface must be completely smooth so that the lid can form a proper seal.

You will also need the lids and bands that fit the canning jars. The lid and band system is the only home method of canning that will provide a satisfactory seal. The band is the outer portion that is ring shaped and holds the lid firmly in place. The lid has a rubber seal that bonds with the glass to prevent any air from leaving or entering the jar. The lids are only able to be used once while the bands may be used repeatedly, but be sure to inspect them to see if they are damaged.

A boiling water canner is needed to boil your jars to process the food. Only high acid level vegetables can be processed with this method. Tomatoes, pickles and some fruits are best processed with a boiling water method. The canner consists of a lid, a rack and the canner itself. They are most commonly made of porcelain-coated steel or aluminum. The canner is very deep because there needs to be at least 2 inches of water over the top of the jars to provide the proper heat level needed.

A steam-pressure canner is also an essential tool for the home canner. Any vegetable or fruit may be canned using this method. Because of the pressure, the water temperature is able to reach 240 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature all microorganisms that may have been on the produce will be killed sufficiently. The steam pressure is a little more complicated than the water canner, but works very efficiently. The canner consists of a gauge, vent, gasket, rack, and the canner pot. There are two different types, the dial gauge and the weight gauge. If you are using a dial gauge, you will need to have the gauge tested each canning season for accuracy.

There are some other small tools that you will find very handy when you are canning. These include a jar lifter which is like a clamp that fits on to the jar perfectly. This makes placing the jars into the hot water easy and pain free. The jar lifter is also essential for removing the jars from the hot water. A jar funnel is a funnel that fits perfectly into the jars. This tool will make filling the jars a breeze and you will prevent any spills. They also make straight spatulas that are very narrow and perfect for removing any bubbles that are present in the jars after you fill them. Using this spatula assures the air has been removed from the produce sufficiently. A small metal tong will also help you to lift the lids and bands from the hot water. Be sure to have many towel, pots and bowls also handy when you are canning.

Once you have all your tools prepared, all you need is your produce! Once the fruit or vegetables are ripe, head to the garden to pick your well earned produce and get ready for a feast! Home canning is a great way to fill your pantry with plenty of fruits and vegetables to last throughout the winter!