When storing and preserving your garden harvest, there are a ton of different options out there. However, a method may be excellent for one produce group and not recommended for other fruits and vegetables.
If you’re a backyard gardener, here are a few storage and preservation methods that work better for most households.
Freezing is a Great Solution
Freezing is an excellent solution for a lot of your garden goodies. It’s quick and easy and will keep your fruits and veggies fresh for months to come. Make sure you’re using airtight containers or freezer bags, and try to get as much air out as possible before sealing them up.
And remember to label them with the date and what’s inside. Nothing’s worse than thawing out a mystery veggie and being disappointed by what you find.
Drying Veggies and Fruits
Drying veggies and fruits are another great option, especially if you’re short on freezer space. Wash and dry your produce thoroughly before drying. If you’re drying fruits, remove any seeds or cores. If you’re drying vegetables, slice them into thin pieces, so they dry more quickly.
Drying your produce in your oven is a simple method you can try. Set the oven to the lowest temperature, and leave the door slightly open to allow moisture to escape. Place your produce on a baking sheet and dry for several hours or until dry.
If you live in a sunny climate, you can dry your produce in the sun. Lay your produce on a tray or a clean sheet, and let the sun do the work. It’s a great way to preserve your harvest, and it’s also eco-friendly.
Bake Easy Cookies with Leftover Fruits
Another great way to preserve your harvest is by making jams and jellies. Berries and fruits like peaches and plums are perfect for making homemade jams. You can use a traditional recipe for sugar or sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.
But what do you do with all those leftover fruits that you dried? Well, you could eat them as is, but where’s the fun in that? Instead, you could use these dried fruits to make some easy cookies.
Mix some flour, sugar, butter, and eggs, and then add your dried fruits. Roll the mixture out, use your cookie cutters to cut them into fun shapes, and then pop them in the oven. Voila! Fresh, homemade cookies that taste like summer.
Keep Some Harvest in The Dark
Store potatoes, onions, and garlic in a cool, dark place such as your basement or root cellar. But make sure they’re in a well-ventilated area, or they’ll start to rot before you know it.
The ideal temperature for storing produce in the dark is between 32-40°F (0-4°C) and high humidity (around 90%). Make sure to clean and dry your produce thoroughly before storing it. Any dirt or moisture can cause the crop to rot more quickly.
Check your stored produce regularly for signs of spoilage, such as soft spots, mold, or an off smell. Remove any spoiled produce immediately to prevent it from affecting the rest of your stored produce.
Soak Up the Vinegar
If you’ve got an abundance of cucumbers, you can make pickles. Pickling is a great way to preserve your veggies, and it’s also a great way to add some tangy flavor to your meals. Soaking works best for vegetables high in acidity, such as cucumbers, onions, peppers, and radishes.
Clean and sterilize your jars before filling them with your produce. This step will help to prevent bacteria from growing in your soaked crop. Slice the produce and pack them into jars. Then, fill the jars with vinegar, water, sugar, and spices.
Place the jars in the refrigerator and let them soak for 24 hours. You can let them soak for up to a week, depending on your preference.
Canning is a Common Way
Canning is a common way to preserve your harvest as well. It’s a bit more time-consuming than freezing or drying, but it’s worth it. You can put fruits, veggies, sauces, jams, and more. Just ensure you’re following safe canning practices, or you’ll end up with botulism.
This method works best for fruits and vegetables high in acidity, such as tomatoes, berries, and pickling cucumbers. Low-acid foods, such as green beans, carrots, and potatoes, must be pressure canned to ensure they are safe to eat.
Use Rotten Fruit As Fertilizer
Remember to use those rotten fruits as fertilizer. Just chuck these in the compost pile and let them break down. They’ll add valuable nutrients to your soil and help your next crop grow strong and healthy.
Rotten fruits are great for this purpose, but you can also use other things like leaves, grass, and coffee grounds.
Summary
There are numerous ways to store and preserve your garden harvest. However, finding the best method for you and the produce is vital to get the desired results.
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