06 May Thu 2010
Canning is Not a Procrastinator's Favorite Pastime! Plan ahead!
I've received some emails regarding the next Beginner's Canning Class (May 17 and 18). Yes, there is still room for more students. And this is simply the best time to learn to can -- BEFORE canning season goes crazy! Sign up on our website, www.jamandjellylady.com.
First-time canners need time to evaluate, purchase, plant, and prepare before actually canning. Although we offer classes in June and July, I always recommend folks take their class in the winter or spring. I'm not trying to overwhelm anybody, because this is all doable, but for some folks this is a lot to do on a limited schedule. Here is a "check list" a new canner usually goes through after taking one of our classes:
- reevaluate the garden plans. After taking the class, 25 tomato heirloom tomatos should be balanced with a few romas, basil, and onions. This is a decision that can't be made in July!
- evaluate canning supplies. After learning what a good jar looks like, my free quart jars from a garage sale are obviously woefully best for recycling. They are chipped and too big for jam anyway...
- order a water bath or pressure canner, and any other specialty equipment I would enjoy this season: cherry pitter, food mill, apple corer/slicer, strawberry huller, juicer, food processor, jar lifter, scale, colander, stainless stockpot, imported spices, special canning jars for Christmas gifts...
- spend hours poring through canning books to generate a list of delicious recipes I want to make for my family and friends. I'm missing a lot of key ingredients, so let's reevaluate the garden plan AGAIN!
- find local farmers and speak with them about u-picks, CSAs, farm markets, and other outlets for the produce I'll need. Visit the farms, sign CSA agreements, and check on u-pick hours (because if I'm late, the good berries and apples will be gone!)
I'm just sayin'... For some people, entering the world of canning is a natural step. But I've known some students to actually take off a few days of work to purchase equipment, find farms, redo their entire garden, plan recipes, and make themselves generally crazy! If you are of this ilk, please plan early - don't wait until July!
"Procrastination is, hands down, our favorite form of self-sabotage." -- Alyce P. Cornyn-Selby