The canning continues

It has been a very busy few weeks. We have made sauerkraut, it is curing in a pail in the basement, concord wine brewing in the basement, not to mention the 2 1/2 gallons of concord wine that ended up on the floor so the basement really smells like a winery, oh well.......
We have also made corn relish, grape juice, tomato juice, canned tomatoes, canned plums, my newest creation is stanley prune plum jalapeno jam, it is very good. To make use 2 cups chopped ripe prune plums, 1 cup finely chopped sweet peppers, 1 cup finely chopped hot pepper I use jalapeno and serrano, (I put all in the food processor and chop on pulse. Add to a pot, add 1 package pectin, 1 cup apple cider vinegar, bring to a hard boil, add 5 cups sugar bring to a full rolling boil for a few minutes, take off foam and put into hot prepared jars. We love it on crackers with cream cheese, add a littel white wine or rice wine vinegar and use as a dipping sauce for egg rolls, chicken, or use to glaze pork chops, yummy stuff!!! Shawn and I destemmed grapes for more juice, I plan on making salsa and some little plum hot pepper jam. The small plums have a different taste but we will try a batch and see how we like it.

Where did August go?

We've experienced some great weather and garden transitions this month.

The potato towers are gone. Read the Potato Tower Project for an update on how that went. Mixed reviews. The towers are stored away for next year and the ground they stood on planted with mustard greens and two types of kale.

We've also cleared out the "salad bowl" and added compost to get ready for fall lettuce planting. We've actually used three locations for salad greens this year and have kept a steady stream of salad going all summer. Love it. This is my first year being successful with the lettuce - to this degree.

Vertical tomatoes (along the house) have done really well. I might select different plants to put there next year, but the different between these tomatos and the ones located along the fence line are substantial.

The Borghese (sun dried tomatos) are located along the fence line, but are still dong well. I am picking some each and dehydrating them before storing them in Spanish olive oil. Really like these and will plant more next year.

Cucumber climbers were also a good choice. They love the spot and I can't eat them fast enough - I don't can pickles so plant only salad cukes.  Love, love, love the cucumber and tomato sandwiches.

With the garlic gone, we replanted with cabbage, black beans, celery, carrots, sweet peppers, and basil. So far so good. Love the fresh celery for cooking. It's strong and wonderful. Not so sure about the cabbage. Is being attacked. I'll need to read up on this and see how to counter/protect them better.

My first canning experience was 8/28 - tomato sauce and canned corn. All day - sore feet, but appreciate the end result. Yesterday we canned salsa and this weekend, chili sauce and verde sauce.