Comment

Contributing Gardener Comment by Donna H 5-6/CT on Monday

so far, it looks as though i'm going to have a very light cuke year...they are very slow in coming, seeds died, planted plants, and they were attacked by slugs...i'd normally be picking in a month, and they barely have their secondary leaves.  Good thing I went wacko pickling last year, or i'd not have any. I've tried drying tomatoes before...but they came out TOO dry...

Comment by Deborah Hamel (Z9a-9b Arizona) on Monday

I think you are right. For the first time in the 17 years we've lived here in Arizona, white flies, red spider mights, mildew, and leaf hoppers have infested my tomato plants! The yield is VERY low and the plants look sickly. I don't know if this season may have to be a wash, just spend time and effort to build the soil instead of raising crops. I can't place the sickly plants in the compost for fear of contamination. I had planned to can and dry tomatoes, but I thing that is out for this season.

I hope others are not having similar problems.

Contributing Gardener Comment by Donna H 5-6/CT on Sunday

Hi Deborah!

Nice to know we aren't the only ones with insane weather. We've had down near freezing (had to cover plants) up to mid 90's over our april vacation...and now, its been more like august weather...muggy, rainy, and hot.  Had seeds that rotted, and now the slugs are in full force.  it's going to be THAT kind of garden year, i'm afraid.

Comment by Deborah Hamel (Z9a-9b Arizona) on Sunday

Donna-Thank you for the sites.

Our weather has been filled with unexpected extremes over the past 30 days: high yesterday of 77 degrees, 3 weeks ago a high of 108 degrees, both on my covered porch on the north side. The tomatoes, strawberries and other vegetables are not enjoying the weather, while the onions, asparagus and peppers are doing well. I have no idea what the harvest will be and in what condition they will be. I had hoped to make tomato sauce for the year, as well as drying a few things. Have to wait and see.

Contributing Gardener Comment by Donna H 5-6/CT on Sunday

This month's Mother Earth News has an article about using old canning recipes. They shared a new resource (least to me) www.freshpreserving.com/recipes.aspx  (its run by Ball, but has tons of recipes on it) AND the USDA published 'So Easy to Preserve'...you can buy the book; but i found the PDF file here: http://setp.uga.edu/order_book.pdf

Contributing Gardener Comment by Donna H 5-6/CT on May 19, 2012 at 7:15am

In addition, not sure how acidic mulberries are...make sure your colander or strainer is stainless steel, and not aluminum...it will discolor your juice (and may make it taste slightly metallic...)

Ah the lessons we learn the hard way.

Comment by Joan weed, Z5, VT on May 19, 2012 at 6:04am

Lisa , not mulberry but all sorts of other fruits. If you buy some Certo or Sure-jell, you will find basic instructions for lots of kinds of jam and jelly and you can adapt the recipes.  I'd cook the berries and mash loosely and then suspend overnight in a cheesecloth bag(in a collander or jelly strainer) over a bowl to extract the juice. To keep clear don't press on the berries.  Then proceed with the recipe, measuring the amount of juice needed.  

Comment by Lisa Dent on May 18, 2012 at 9:42pm

Has anyone made mullberry jelly? I have just started canning, I normally freeze things or short can in the refrigerator, but my mullberry tree is full this year.

Comment by Wendy Hime on April 4, 2012 at 8:01pm

Anyone canned lentils? We have a yummy Indian dal that we want to can.

Comment by Robin (N.IL zone 5) on April 2, 2012 at 8:58pm

Yes, we started canning last year.

 

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