Canning this year, Questions.

HollyChubb

So I will be canning this year for the 1st time *nervous laugh*. My only questions for the time being are: When do I can items? Should I be doing this in the middle of their season for peak flavor? Finally is there a website that maybe lists what fruits and vegetables are in season when?

Thanks 

Also, there will be more questions as this adventure progresses, I'm sure a lot more.

SulliTheBotanist

I think you're asking the wrong question. I do a lot of canning and I have a MS in Fruit Physiology (no, really) so I'll encourage you to look at the fruit in question, not the time of year. It's more important to think about the plant material being at its peak than the crop season.

I don't know where you live. If you're up north it's probably a good time for strawberries (I'm in FL so that was March for me). You want to get the freshest strawberries you can - from the farmers' market or a pick-your-own (better). It's best to pick any fruit in the morning and can that day.

Also, pay attention to the final product, not just the fruit. If you're making strawberry jam the recipe will call for added sugar, so it's best to use slightly underripe strawberries so the jam won't be too sweet. If you're canning tomatoes, you want them to be perfectly red ripe. If you're making pickles, you want nice firm fruits.

Finally, you can find local farmers' markets at localharvest.org. Go and ask the farmers what's almost done (how many more weeks strawberries will be available) and what's coming soon, so you can plan. The weather will be a major influence on that.

Good luck! hth

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spiritenergy

I would talk to the farmers in your area and see when they plan to roll things out that way you get a general idea of when things should be coming out so you can plan. Strawberries are coming up for us in the next few weeks, so I will be going to pick some in the morning and can them that day. I like this seasonal food guide from Eating Well because it is broken down by region. The UK has this nice planner as well.

SuperGreen

No need to be nervous about canning!  It's a lot easier than you think, and nothing to scared of.  Ask as many questions as you like.  I for one will always answer

Yes, you should can when the produce is in its peak season.  Canning doesn't make the produce any better, i.e., you shouldn't can overripe or low-quality (squishy, blemished, etc..) produce.  You want to can the best-quality produce possible.  As far as what's in season when, that's going to vary depending on where you are.  I'm not sure where Norristown is.  Ditto PP, you can ask the farmers at your Farmer's Market, or Google your local cooperative extension.  They should have a "what's in season" guide.  You can also suscribe to the e-mail list of your local Pick-Your-Own (PYO) farm.  www.Pickyourown.org has an excellent listing of PYO farms in your area.  I subscribe to several e-mail lists of PYO farms, which is where I get my canning produce from.  Depending on the produce, I find it much cheaper to can using PYO fruit/veggies rather than buying from the Farmer's Market.

CutesBoots

Yay canning!

I really don't have anything to add except that I do know where Norristown is located (outside Philly, by the King of Prussia Mall).  So the timeline suggestions you've been getting so far are pretty close.  Good luck!

HollyChubb

CutesBoots:

Yay canning!

I really don't have anything to add except that I do know where Norristown is located (outside Philly, by the King of Prussia Mall).  So the timeline suggestions you've been getting so far are pretty close.  Good luck!

Exactly 4 miles from the King of prussia mall lol. The KOP farmers market opens this Saturday. YAY!