Massive Garden Harvest and Food Preservations Day

[@JustMe-rm2pw]

Love the false sense of productivity I get from watching other people be productive

[@AcreHomestead]

haha! You can do this too!

[@carolehawkinson7330]

BAAAHAHAHAHAHA!; SO true!! 😂

[@monicacaravantes9979]

Well said!!!!😂

[@kathyohara6658]

😂😂 I was just thinking the same!

[@anaiterouletpellecer179]

For the chives: they come out better if you chop them thinly, as if you were going to use them fresh.

[@rwatts2155]

I'm gonna offer another idea for you to consider! When you peel tomatoes as you are canning the tomatoes DON'T throw the tomato skins away! Dehydrate them! Dehydrate the tomato skins and grind them into a powder. Store the powder in a jar. When you make a soup or tomato sauce...such as a pizza sauce or a sauce for pasta...toss in a couple tablespoons of the powdered tomato skins for a more profound tomato flavor. And DON'T throw the stems away! Toss the tomato stem into the sauce and simmer the sauce with the tomato stem in it. When the sauce is done, just remove the stem and toss it to the chickens. Do the same with all of your herbs. The stems have a lot of flavor to add to sauces! When you roast tomatoes...put the tomato STEMS under the tomatoes or potatoes . You'll be glad you did ! : )

[@AcreHomestead]

Wow thanks so much!!

[@NaturalLivingHomesteader]

Yes I make onion powder out of tomato skins! Didn't about the stems.

[@lindahelm4035]

If I may add in my 2 cents. Please research tomato stems before you use them in food. When I was cleaning up my garden years ago, I got a horrible rash from the dead tomato plants. I was told at the time that the stems, and/or leaves are toxic.

[@marycrosbie546]

Thanks for these tips. I have gardened and preserved my entire life, and I had no idea about dehydrating the tomato peels. Never too old to learn.

[@kathkwilts]

Tomatoes are in the nightshade family, as in “deadly nightshade”. They used to think that they were toxic but discovered (lucky for us) that the fruits are not toxic. However, the leaves and stems are VERY toxic and shouldn’t ever be eaten. The skins are very nutritious and have multiple anti-oxidants in them but don’t eat the stems... Potatoes, peppers and eggplants are in the nightshade family too... the fruits are edible but the plants are toxic...

[@lorddread606]

I just found your channel 2 hours ago and now I'm on a 2 hour marathon and counting. It's also refreshing that you're also a church-goer.

[@AcreHomestead]

welcome!!!

[@tamwash]

Me too. Just found it last night before bed. I will watch the episodes while working on projects at work today.

[@jamiemueller1881]

My only question for you is this: When do you sleep?! Wow. You have amazing energy and it's fabulous that you share your mistakes and things you learn along the way. I'm so inspired by you! It's people like you who give me hope for the future. Thanks for sharing your energy, passion, and skill.

[@jacksongerald882]

Hello

[@donnamcmanus7360]

I want a freeze dryer company to gift you or some sort of sponsorship because you are so bad ass at your hustle. Nothing but impressed with everything you do❤

[@fromtracywithlove2856]

She is baddass!❤️❤️❤️

[@safarisusan]

I love seeing young people like you doing this. Thank you for bringing back the skills of our predecessors, so they're not forgotten by our modern generations.

[@luciencastie1097]

Hello. Safari

[@HomesteadHopeful]

Lol I feel like gardening is sort of like "If you give a mouse a cookie.." like you started harvesting spinach, gave chickens what you weeded out then realize chickens are out of water, pulled up more plants, might as well plant the carrots 😂 Love it. You are so personable. I'm just finding your channel but definitely subing.

[@AcreHomestead]

Yep yep and yep lol! thanks! i'm so glad you are here!

[@Munchkinzi]

That is so true.... it's called gardening time haha, flies by and you've only done one job on the list as you get sidetracked onto other little jobs that pop up as you go along. Every time I go out to harvest my humble crops with a list, bam, hours go by and yet it feels like not much achieved off my list 😅 keep up the good work Becky x

[@varaprasad443]

Pppp0pp0p000p00ppppppppppp0

[@lucianaallen8836]

How often does you water your plant ever other days are every day

[@m-well6843]

I agree. Shes just down to earth and is winging it sometimes:) My kinda gal !

[@beckym5730]

The chive where in to long. 95-125F for 2-4 hours if you had them in over night that’s what went wrong.hope this helps

[@drummerlovesbookworm9738]

I just harvested a lot of chives, thyme, basil, and sage. I like to finely mince some herbs and mix them in softened butter. Then I freeze the butter in those small cube trays that they always have at the dollar store. I pop them out and baggie the frozen cubes. So great for cooking. Also, we love to melt a cube of thyme butter over a grilled steak, etc. Chive butter makes good “garlic bread.” Nice harvest. Love your channel. 🤎

[@beckyoverstreet7478]

I have done the herb butter too and ppl it is fantastic to throw a herb butter cube into my sauce to pour over my fried chicken .. or other meat that I’ve cooked up it is so good .. bumps up the flavor!!! I encourage you all to try it cause if u love cooking with herbs you will love it! Blessings!❤️

[@olddutchfarms]

Freezing herb butters is so genius! I never thought about it, but I will definitely try it!

[@thatonedog819]

If you need to lower your cholesterol, use an oil that's higher in polyunsaturated fats like olive oil or safflower oil

[@ldg2655]

I would love to see a video on making your pantry staples: ranch dressing, taco seasoning, etc

[@AcreHomestead]

I just bought all the stuff to make it!!

[@avelsgard78]

You were not kidding when you said "Massive Harvest"! So great that you are doing this and not letting nature's goodness go to waste! Thank you for this video---it is inspiring!

[@AcreHomestead]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! It's fun having you friends in the garden with me :)

[@aebfernandez6806]

Oo pero kamo a few years later in other world 🌍 I had no experience of being a part time developer so that was my goal 🥅 to have been combined in all aspects that are important for a successful career that can 🥫 your solution for a successful future 🔮 is your goal 🥅 to achieve goals that will help them succeed with their success for their success with

[@aislingpancake2579]

I preserve my herbs when they are in abundance by putting them in the food processor with garlic/chilli/lemon/red white vinegar - whatever is on hand - and olive oil. Freezes well. Can be used with anything. Mix into salad dressings, as a condiment or marinade for meat/fish/baked vege, stirred into yogurt as a dip, add to soups/tomato sauces, guacamole... the list is endless! Thanks for a wonderful channel. Keep up the great work, its inspiring 😊

[@saraferguson1156]

This is Little House on the Prairie 2021 and I’m here for it. This is awesome!

[@sutterfish]

tip to make your soap pink. Try beetroot! I use it to color tons of things! Love your personality! I have mad respect for anyone who can do all you do and still work full time! You truly are an inspiration!

[@mandimoo87]

I guess you know by now that beetroot and roses are not PH stable and will just go. Brown and yucky. If you're careful you can make really thick traced soap and spray liberally with alcohol and put rose petals on top and leave uncovered. That's the only way you can use botanicals really. Calendula is the exception not the rule.

[@jodythomas1159]

Holy cow you work hard!!! Loved loved loved this video!!!!

[@AcreHomestead]

Thank you so much!! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

[@meganhuschle9787]

I don’t even dry my dill. You can just freeze it and it crumbles perfectly when using it 😊

[@AcreHomestead]

Good to know! thanks :)

[@ancientlifestyle8842]

Me too

[@13LavenderRose]

I instantly subscribed you because I loved how you were honest about how you were still learning how to preserve and harvest your garden. My dream is to one day have a large garden and some chickens~~~~~

[@AcreHomestead]

I appreciate that! Thank you! Sorry for the late reply!

[@lorrainebarnett8389]

I dehydrate chives…I cut them up tiny and dry them to add to biscuits and crackers. I stop harvesting when they flower. Early Spring is always best for herbs. Love your enthusiasm! I harvest everything, too!

[@savannahv1808]

Lol, I love the full body squash to basically vacuum seal the bags before your vegetables go in the freezer! I’ve had a food dehydrator since I was 20……40 years now, so to me it’s not strange! Thanks for the video!

[@AcreHomestead]

Thanks I'm glad it's not strange :)

[@sandijammes7761]

@@AcreHomestead It's not strange any more... now that I've seen YOU do it... I feel a little less like looking around to see if anybody saw ME do it!!🤣🤣 We are BOTH... officially NORMAL!

[@AcreHomestead]

@@sandijammes7761 Love it :)

[@stefflcus]

I still do this, too! But someone showed me a way to get air out of ziplock baggies when preserving a LOT of produce that works really well: Fill a sink or tub with water and submerge the packed, mostly closed bags with the open segment of zipper just above the water line. The pressure from the water smooshes everything tightly and then you close it up while the bag is underwater. Takes out SO much air! It isn't really worth it for a few bags, but for a whole day I love it.

[@dennisathompson5547]

Just found her videos. Love them so much. I love how she takes the time to explain exactly what she is doing.

[@BakriHalim]

I always complained about the hotness of living in equatorial climate. But when I see you guys had to conserve so much food as a preparation for the winter, I'm so grateful. The only hardship that we have to go through is the monsoon season of non stop rainfall from November till February.

[@mwillis7791]

I can’t believe this was may. May doesn’t seem too far away! I’m so excited for spring!

[@sandijammes7761]

P.S. when you get farther into your dill... cut the stems/stalks into jar size lengths & dry them as well or to use as you're making your pickles. My grandma & my mother in law both used the stems for all the flavor they add & they both made ROCKSTAR pickles!! Just a thought. 😉

[@AcreHomestead]

Great tip! I will try that!

[@rwatts2155]

ABSOLUTELY! The stems have LOTS of flavor! Tie them into a bouquet garni and use them in soups. Have you ever tossed the tomato stems into your tomato sauce? TRY IT ! It has MORE "tomato" flavor than the tomato.

[@mcee2639]

@@rwatts2155 arent tomato stems poisonous?

[@rwatts2155]

@@mcee2639 The leaves, stems, and roots do contain tomatine which is an alkalin that is MILDLY toxic to humans. I think you'd have to eat a bus load to harm yourself. People used to think tomatoes are poison, Now billions of people eat them with no ill effects. I always toss the stems from my vine ripened tomatoes into my sauce when making it and then remove the stem. I don't EAT the stem. I don't use the tomato leaves in my stews and sauces. But the fruit of the tomato does not have the fragrance that we think of when we think of tomatoes. It's the stem. And I love it!

[@aileviulm6799]

Hello For mint and oregano I harvest everything make some small bouquet attached by a rope upside down on a hot ceiling with air without light It will take longer to dry but it’s faster than using the déshydrater for these plants Then, whenever you want (can take month, storage should be stable) you can use a hole and pull the plant trough to separate the leaf Myself I use my pasta colander. Thanks for your awesome videos ☺️

[@takishasallbeautyzone]

Phew!! I wish I had ½ of your energy and motivation! It's quite inspiring. 😊

[@luciencastie1097]

Hello

[@jacksongerald882]

Hello

[@takishasallbeautyzone]

@@luciencastie1097 Hi!

[@takishasallbeautyzone]

@@jacksongerald882 Hi!

[@luciencastie1097]

@@takishasallbeautyzone How are you doing?

[@wandafigueroa6281]

Im a chef and we make herb marinade with a mix of herbs and garlic... blended with oil, is Perfect with meats chicken... it freezes really well too

[@AcreHomestead]

That is a fantastic idea! I want to make some compound butter too

[@suziediva]

I just pruned my basil... Chopped it up, added some olive oil & garlic... great base for any salad dressing. I usually add salt, pepper, Mustard, balsamic vinegar when I am ready to eat a salad... yummm:)

[@vlk1091]

@@suziediva Do you freeze it into cubes suspended in olive oil?

[@suziediva]

@@vlk1091 So far not done that yet. Just bottled it & let the flavors meld into one another. Last week we had high temps... so just moved it to the fridge. Though I am thinking of making some flavored butter & if have a good harvest, would love to freeze it to... suspended in olive oil.

[@PoliteTeeth]

Drying that spinach in the towel was the most clever thing I’ve seen! Never thought of that :D

[@AcreHomestead]

Haha thanks :) It was the only way I could think of doing so much at a time!

[@chrisjensen1814]

You could also use a salad spinner, they work great!

[@christinej2358]

Great video! Thank you for sharing!

[@luciencastie991]

Hello

[@jeffreywalker9916]

Hello

[@humblyhomesteady5052]

You are such a hard working individual, what a beautiful harvest! 😍🌱

[@AcreHomestead]

Thank you so much!

[@MegaCharlieRose]

You can store freshly cut chives in your freezer and they will preserve well. Can do the same with coriander/cilantro as long as they are dried well. Can leave washed coriander out on paper to dry before freezing.

[@mustwereallydothis]

I hope you continue making videos. I'm pretty sure your channel is going to really take off once a few more people discover it. Honestly, I was shocked to see you had only been at this a few months. You seem like a seasoned professional.

[@AcreHomestead]

Wow thanks for that. I watch a lot of youtube myself which has helped :)

[@mahinat.coover8972]

You are absolutely the best youtuber ever, my personal number one. Love how you just get on with stuff while talking, very real and practical and not fuzz about the little things. You are amazing with your multitasking skills and a very hard worker. Very smart, wise beyond your age, and very interesting and captivating. Well done to both your parents and you and sounds like other people like your teachers that sow good seeds in your life and path. I'm just very impressed and blown off by your intelligence, wisdom, hardworking, can do attitude. You are also just a bright and positive person in general. what a good and healthy personality and a role model you are to me and I'm sure to many others as well. Thank you. Praise the Lord!!

[@AcreHomestead]

Mahina, you are so sweet! Thank you so much

[@emilybarnes5920]

I just added some fresh mint and basil to some lemonade it's so delicious and refreshing after time in the garden.

[@AcreHomestead]

I love basil in lemon aid! Game changer

[@luciencastie1097]

Hello Emily

[@luciencastie1097]

Hello Emily

[@luciencastie1097]

Hello Emily

[@NaturalLivingHomesteader]

This was me on Saturday. Onion tops, basil, cilantro, dill, tarragon, sage, spinach, chamomile. All went into my large Harvest Right freeze dryer. One full load of onion tops and a full load with everything else but spinach. That I froze. Now to harvest kale and swiss chard. I had a senior moment and pulled up my cilantro plants after harvesting and realized "now where you gonna get your coriander you dip $#!+" lol. Hey Fyi rose petals are lovely in teas. Adds a nice sweet flavor. Also chives freeze well just like onion tops.

[@fredericmona8667]

Hello 👋 How are you doing today?

[@AcreHomestead]

Wow thank you so much! Sorry for the late reply!

[@jeffreywalker9916]

Hello

[@charmainescarborough5646]

Great way to extend the life of your garden herbs and vegetables and how organized you are in doing that:) The more organized a person is, it really helps make life to be so much easier!

[@stargypsysoul604]

I’m watching your first gardening in sequence. Very exciting. Also I use old screens to dry all of my herbs since there’s so many. And a lot of people will hand you free broken screens or you can make them cheap too. It works very well I leave them out on stands and sandwich the herbs between two framed screens (it gets windy here) and about 2-3 days of air and sun they dehydrate so beautiful! Also I grew chocolate mint last year and I will never be the same. I got it as a tiny plant on clearance for .29, and now I have it in a 20 gallon planter it grows so fast. Happy Gardening!

[@MissouriCrookedBarnHomestead]

A tip for the chives, mince them up and put them in a bowl in the fridge overnight, then take them out and lay them out to dry in a box or a bowl, keep turning them with your fingers every day, bottom to top, and they will look just like the chives you buy in the store. Also, the flowers on the chives doesn't make a difference, they're just as edible. I've tried a bunch of methods and what I said works. I could show you pics. Also, I harvest my chives several times throughout the growing season.

[@AcreHomestead]

I'll try that next time. they are already starting to grow again

[@CT-sn8xk]

I mince mine as soon as I harvest them and then dehydrate them right away. They stay a nice rich green color that way. It seems that if I air dry them they turn yellow or brown.

[@MissouriCrookedBarnHomestead]

@@CT-sn8xk It depends on the humidity in your area. I'm in Cheyenne WY, so the humidity is really low. Never have any issues with my dried chives staying green, drying some right now that are almost done and they're green as can be.

[@mccauleylucas9065]

@@MissouriCrookedBarnHomestead Hello. Cheyenne

[@MissouriCrookedBarnHomestead]

@@mccauleylucas9065 Hello.

[@brandieberini4776]

I chop my chives then dehydrate. I also chop and freeze. ALSO I will make chive butter and freeze stick of chive butter! Yum, I love my chives!

[@AcreHomestead]

Great idea!!

[@jeffreywalker9916]

Hello

[@merislaw1987]

If you're worried about your pupper getting into the bone meal fertilizer, you can place straw (or other grass clippings) ontop of the bed to prevent weeds from growing, prevent the pups from getting into the fertilizer, and it's extra compost that provides nutrients for your plants.

[@mccauleylucas9065]

Hello. Janell

[@MsKaty0311]

I hang my herbs to dry. They can go south fast if heated plus the integrity of the herb is less. Also I learned that you harvest the dry leaf and don’t crumble until you’re ready to use it. The goodness will still be in the dried leaf

[@pw3770]

So thrilled to have found your channel! I love how genuine you are and its a joy to watch your exuberance. I like you, tend to use recipes as guidelines so I get a big kick out of watching you work your magic, which I think is a big secret to making cooking fun and delicious. Your videos encourage me to do more myself and I'm pretty sure I see a canner in my near future! Thanks so much from Ontario, Canada.

[@valjalava1951]

Yes that’s on my list to do this month as well is clean everything out and organize it like you did,great job Becky

[@jL-se4eq]

Also on the chives--I cut mine in small pieces with scissors and dehydrate them in the microwave on paper towels and paper plates. They always stay nice and green and it only takes a couple of minutes.

[@jeffengel2607]

2 minutes and standard power setting? And have you tried dehydrating anything else that way?

[@jL-se4eq]

@@jeffengel2607 Yes I dry all my herbs in the microwave. I have had better results than drying them overnight in a standard oven. Basically, I prepare the herbs and sandwich them between paper towels on a paper plate. I run it for 30-second intervals on the standard setting until they are dry. It usually takes a total of 2 minutes. I don't have a food dehydrator.

[@fayeajdari9716]

I love watching your videos; you are awesome. The best way to dehydrate chives is to chop them and spread them on a cotton cloth and let them dry.

[@karenlayton6162]

Your doing a great job! Gardening and Food preserving is a lot of trial and error. Love seeing your enthusiasm. Keep up the good work. 👍🏻

[@AcreHomestead]

Thanks so much :) and YES IT IS :)

[@adellapiatt6547]

Why are people disliking this!? This is amazing inspiration and knowledge!!! Great video!

[@CH-hm8ud]

I dehydrated all my herbs just in trays, that way I preserve the natural oil on them!

[@leroygordon9989]

Becky has got to be the most ambitious woman I watch on KZbin. Super inspiring, Informing, and chill vibes. :) much love from North dakota! Can't wait to use some of the knowledge you have taught me in my own garden and kitchen!

[@paulahawkins6732]

You are adorable! I love your channel because you are so honest and real, and you crack me up! Keep up the great job!!!

[@luciencastie1097]

Hello. Hawkins

[@jeffreywalker9916]

Hello

[@skybueg469]

I love the fact you’re so Proud and still asking Questions.

[@westmidlandsgardener5178]

Wow that was a beautiful harvest. Love that you showed us how you preserved them to use later😍

[@AcreHomestead]

I'm glad you enjoyed it :) thanks for hanging out :)

[@nic7761]

One ofmy favorite things about this channel!

[@dokTOURReden]

I love planting and harvesting. I come across to you and I am impressed to what you do in your garden. From garden to your table. Kudos to you Becky!

[@analemus3815]

I been putting my oregano in bundles and hanging it to dry. It has dried perfectly. It’s a good idea. Try it you’ll love it! And you can do that with all herbs.

[@AcreHomestead]

I'm going to try that! Thanks!

[@EnvironmentalCoffeehouse]

Thats exactly what I do!

[@mccauleylucas9065]

Hello. Ana

[@luciencastie991]

Hello Lemus

[@Romans828girl]

I am brand new to this homesteading thing -- really, I haven't started yet. We just bought the property and are trying to get the first two buildings up before winter (my woodshop because a workspace will make other projects go faster, and the wellhouse because we don't want it to freeze again). So I haven't even planted the first thing yet. Maybe next year. But I'm researching and learning, figuring out what we want to do and how we want to do it, and I have a question. When you hang herbs in bundles to dry, how do you keep dust and bugs off of it? Our place is on a dirt road and EVERYTHING is covered in dust. Also it's basically a cow pasture at this point...the flies...oh, the flies...

[@ninasmith1540]

What I’ve done with chives is blitz them and then put into an ice tray to then freeze, I can then put a chive cube in any dish that I want.

[@planandcraftwithmands1099]

I haven’t tried drying the chives, I just cut them in small pieces and freeze them directly. Thank you for the tips on putting dried chives to keep the slugs away. I will definitely try that.

[@AcreHomestead]

I like your idea. Thanks :)

[@Zelenozdravoizabavno]

Chives freeze lovely, I stopped drying them once I discovered how lovely they dry and preserve the shape and flavor.

[@mccauleylucas9065]

Hello

[@mccauleylucas9065]

@@Zelenozdravoizabavno Hello.

[@bellajoella9919]

I have dried chives successfully by just drying them in a little cloth sack in my kitchen. Don't over pack it. I chopped mine up slightly (1-2in pieces) and it worked great

[@bluelilly22222]

You can dry mint just like that you don't need a drier for it, I dry mint n powder it....use it different types of cury, fruit salad, potato fries. the smell n taste are soo good.

[@AcreHomestead]

Great idea!

[@ConnieNg1976]

The rose hips in your garden and the clover are both eatable and full of flavor for your teas

[@MissouriCrookedBarnHomestead]

Depending on your humidity where you are, you may not need a dehydrator for any of the herbs. I dry all of my herbs just in a flat cardboard box with a lip of only a couple to 4 inches tall. Your broccoli could have been left until you start to see just a hint of some yellow bits here and there through the head. You could have gotten larger heads. You definitely need more room for the pumpkins. The vines can get upwards of 25 feet long or more. Do not trellis any squash because they have roots along the joints throughout the vine, unlike melons, and those roots will grasp to the soil and provide nutrients and water to the rest of the plant.

[@AcreHomestead]

Wow thanks for all the tips! Very helpful. I am very new to all this :)

[@Looseey1973]

I've been using embroidery hoops with cheese cloth stretched in them to dry chamomille. Herbs would probably work just as well with this.

[@juanitatasker9404]

Rose 🌹 petal jam is delicious. It tastes like strawberry 🍓 jam. You can only use red roses but whenever I make it it sells right off the shelf

[@CarriesCulinaryCrafts]

Becky I had the same problem a few years ago with chives but what I have done since has totally helped. It is more prep up front but is so worth it. Once I have all my chives I inspect a handful at a time. Only save hearty strands. No browning or wilted. Then use scissors and cut into the little chive circles like what you get in the store then dehydrate. Takes much less time and because you pulled out the wilted and discolored before you snipped and dehydrated you will have a beautiful green chives that still look totally fresh but are ready for storage. I do my chives twice a year this way I have more than enough for my year supply, gifts and put enough in a quart size Mylar bag with oxygen absorbers for long term storage. Hopefully that helps you like it did me.

[@AcreHomestead]

Wow that's so helpful to know. Thanks you so much

[@rwatts2155]

EXACTLY!!! I do the same thing.

[@luciencastie991]

Hello. Carrie

[@CarriesCulinaryCrafts]

@@luciencastie991 hello

[@luciencastie991]

@@CarriesCulinaryCrafts Hey..how are you doing

[@fairytale_after_dark6696]

Hey Becky. I think the apron you have on is maybe bakers apron. John from Proof Bread in Mesa Arizona has one the same. You can make a belt for it from one of your old aprons. Just cut off the straps and hand sew them on. Also you can use your rose petals in your tea mixtures. I so enjoy your energy and enthusiasm in gardening and preservation. Its great to see a lovely young woman enjoying these pioneer ways in respect to food. Take care and all the best from the UK 🇬🇧❤🥰

[@peaceandquiet1983]

Your property and kitchen are AWESOME! Love the garden beds and all your passionate endeavors. I made a small batch of pesto from basil I grew from seed! Fun times

[@AcreHomestead]

Isn't that the best feeling!! You rock! and thank you so much for you kind words!

[@erin122123]

My broccoli is small too, I found if you leave it after cutting the first head off more little bits grow, it’s good for a little for dinner

[@mearamacneill2246]

Leave the broccoli stems in ground after you harvest and they’ll send out side shoots and regrow 🥰

[@AcreHomestead]

OH GOOD TO KNOW

[@DixieGirl9876]

Harvest season is exhausting for sure, and like you said worth it, when your pantry is well stocked with home grown foods. You need yourself a vacuum sealer, it's another great tool for preserving foods (vacuum seal the jars of herbs too). Some of my herbs are ready for their second harvest.

[@AcreHomestead]

I know! I just haven't want to spend the money on one yet but I think I need to ASAP

[@tamararobinson2069]

I use my LEM vacuum sealer everyday!🤗 I reseal cheese it lasts forever - I reseal up so many things. The savings in food has paid for it fast👍🏼 Also allows you to buy bulk meats at a cheaper price and divide to freeze.

[@innocentndayambaje1654]

Hey thanks so much for incredibly activating my farming passion

[@vedantsharma9495]

When I think of a strong, empowered women, you are what that comes to mind. Congrats on the harvest... I hope i can have a garden like this one day as well as the energy to sustain it.

[@cecesalas6216]

I loved this video, Becky! LMAO at 12:18 you randomly taking a bite of something you've got growing. Oh! and thanks for the "longer" video! You're great!

[@AcreHomestead]

Haha :) I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@bigjbangoji6740]

Awesome. Learnt how to preserve onions, use rose flowers for soap and dry some herbs. Thank you

[@nic7761]

Love hanging out with you Becky! Thank you :) your so adorable and down to earth in this video! ❤️ That's really cool you know the previous owner and the tidbit about garlic!

[@morgannoelsartisticcreatio9181]

I love how you have the spinach bordering the beds with other stuff in the middle. Looks really neat.

[@AcreHomestead]

Thanks!

[@stephaniegutierrez121]

You are amazing! My daughter and I enjoy watching your videos. Love the gardening... we totally are inspired..

[@AcreHomestead]

Thank you so much!

[@Rockdoll31]

I just subscribed because I love your personality. You’re such a go getter and garden inspiration. I love your other freezer meal videos I watched earlier today too. Subscribed!!! Hello from Houston, TX!

[@mccauleylucas9065]

Hello.

[@luciencastie991]

Hello

[@gaylewatkins4685]

You're awesome and send out so much energy, enthusiasm and willingness to experiment with gardening. 😊😊

[@WorkingTowardsImprovement]

So my cilantro was a bust. As soon as would a good size to harvest it bolted. Also I had to pull all my carrots because they bolted! Weather is crazy right now.

[@sandijammes7761]

I'm just curious... in reference to your weather... is that effecting the cilantro more than anything, or (based on the days listed on a seed packet) is it actually bolting faster than the seed pack says to expect, or growing towards harvesting time, a couple of days back to back of weather differences pushes it to bolt faster than normal? I haven't grown my own cilantro before & lots of people are talking about cilantro, parsley, etc bolting really quickly this year. Thanks in advance... even if its just a theory you have, I'm really curious. Thanks again!!

[@AcreHomestead]

I think it's because it has been so hot so early. It's tricking the herbs into thinking it's later in the year than it is. If I had harvested them a couple days earlier it would have been fine

[@tamararobinson2069]

@@AcreHomestead yep the weather for sure and I find cilantro a bit hard to grow compared to flat leaf parsley etc.

[@Oceanaqua1]

Your kale looks beautiful!

[@tarabooartarmy3654]

Cilantro is always a pain. I finally bought some cilantro seed for sprouting/microgreens on Amazon and now I just get them to the tiny microgreen stage and use them that way.

[@masonhamlin3921]

Why can't I be 30 years younger, and your next door neighbor? Lol. I was that girl growing/canning/cooking in my college dorm kitchen. Love your enthusiasm.

[@amandar7719]

Considering you’re only just learning about growing onions, you are well ahead of the “game”, IMHO. Seeing you harvesting onion tops is heartwarming. You’re also v v lucky to have so many onion seedlings doing so well. Whether from pre-winter solstice starts or your own January sown seedlings. Honestly, Becky, grabbing fresh healthy green onion tops to harvest might be your pantry’s saving grace. In the UK, onion farms are seriously struggling. As am I. Wish I’d chopped tops when you did.

[@cecesalas6216]

Amanda, If I may ask, why are UK farmers struggling to grow onions?

[@AcreHomestead]

Thanks! I tried growing onions from sets last year and they didn't get any bigger then a golf ball. i'm really hoping they do better this year!

[@amandar7719]

@@cecesalas6216 Think East UK is ok. Midlands UK multiple reasons. Three of them I can’t mention because the words are banned from SM. I can report that during Covid, new UK employment laws hiding behind new immigration (immigrant employment) laws related to essential worker Covid/furlough laws involving “gag order” contracts makes it impossible to divulge, in good conscience, why the UK onion harvest in the UK Midlands has already been deemed a failure. If any UK home veg growing gardener is reading this reply, I suggest they sow and transplant as many spring onions as possible. And plug any gap they currently have in their growing space with armpit suckers of their tomatoes. Hope that helps.

[@mistyfinley5615]

@@amandar7719 wow that's really sad to hear. I am well a long long ways from you and we are just about to be at the end of spring and beginning of summer. I dont want to sound dumb by asking but what season are you in right now? Would it be possible for you to get some planted now?

[@PostImperfect]

@@mistyfinley5615 the UK is in the northern hemisphere, so summer (while I'm in the Southern and in winter!).

[@martinsmuskokafarm9268]

I just harvested my onion tops also...I made soup with them and added some potatoes and hand blended it all together...yummm

[@AcreHomestead]

YUM!! I did that with leeks this winter!

[@amandar7719]

Do keep succession sowing/transplanting cilantro. It overwinters well. It is the most nature following plant that can surprise you or disappoint you. In my experience, it can survive a cold spell or bolt because of two unexpected warm days at any time of year. x

[@AcreHomestead]

Thanks for the tips! I did has some that over winter last year and I'm going to try to do that again this year

[@MFV77]

Just what do you mean by overwintering? Just let them bolt and ignore them until the next season?

[@AcreHomestead]

@@MFV77 yes :)

[@greeeneyes91]

I mostly dry my herbs on a towel in the living room on the highest cupboard..then I forget it is there and two weeks later, everything is done :)

[@jameyfisher423]

Ok! You got me moving! I harvest Thyme, chives, mint, and sage! All in the dehydrator! And now I’m going to take out the chives! I watched your video into two parts because it inspired me to get the harvest done! Hahaha. Chives gotta come out! Thanks Becky for a wonderful episode! Love everything you do!

[@AcreHomestead]

Thanks for watching :) I’m glad you enjoy them :) I’m counting down the days until we will be in MT. I’ll be there in August

[@jameyfisher423]

@@AcreHomestead I hope it will be a good trip! Montana is already as dry as August usually is. We’ve had zero rain this year. So I hope it isn’t all on fire by August! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🌧🌧🌧🌧🌧🌧😀😀😀😀😀😀😁 it’s just an unusual year! Can’t wait for your next video!

[@luciencastie991]

@@jameyfisher423 Hello. Jamey

[@jameyfisher423]

@@luciencastie991 hello!

[@luciencastie991]

@@jameyfisher423 Hi.. how are you doing

[@torontohomestead9254]

I love onions greens, i froze mine in ziplocks. For the actual onions, most of my recipes call for sauteed onions so I love to cook up a large batch, strain the excess oil and freeze in ziplocks that aren't too full so i can easily break off a piece later. The onions take less room and i can just throw them in recipes later.

[@GoldStarWork]

Love that you use the onion tops. I will have to remember that for mine.

[@AcreHomestead]

You have too! It’s amazing way to double your harvest and they are so good!

[@ginbing123]

Love your style of gardening.... everything everywhere. The pests are confused. Love it. I will be following you closer! Keep up the good work

[@jackieburnett6881]

Becky you really harvested a lot herbs! I think you are doing a fantastic job!!!

[@AcreHomestead]

Thanks so much!

[@elizabethshaw734]

Chive flowers are deliciously edible especially used as a finishing on top of food.

[@jeanhecker4533]

I suggest that the next time you dehydrate chives, take the flower chive out of the mix. The ones without flowers should be okay. Take the ones with the flowers and make a bouquet 😉

[@AcreHomestead]

I love that idea :) thanks

[@rwatts2155]

You can take the flower heads and break the florets off, and dry them. You can also put them into a white wine vinegar and use the vinegar in salad dressings. Or you can put them into olive oil and use the flavored oil in salad dressings or soups. I wouldn't use the oil for frying or cooking anything that requires high heat...

[@karenfisher7753]

Alternatively you could grow the seeds for more chives

[@ElephantsRusify]

I pull a majority and leave a hand full to self seed and once your squash dies back the weather will be perfect for spinach. I have also dug and moved plants bolting to my flower garden to free veggie space and it handles it really well great seed storage from it too.

[@AcreHomestead]

Love that! Thanks!

[@YamiKisara]

When drying herbs: you wanna use young sprouts, they are sweeter than the older, woody, or flowering ones (same applies for salads and pretty much anything you might grow), the temperature for most shouldn't exceed 30°C, and you should be drying most in the shade (if you're not using that machine or a stove). The drying time depends on how juicy the plant is, you'll figure it out as you go. The temperature and air flow is more important anyway. Good luck!

[@AcreHomestead]

Thank you!

[@ewkelch]

You can let the garlic scapes grow a little longer--curling over once--and grind them up into pesto with the usual ingredients and some lemon zest. I freeze and use it in calzones with ground beef and chard, but it's good for all pesto uses.

[@typicalanna]

Hi fellow rdh and Washingtonian here!! Loving your videos :) it is so motivating and encouraging to watch your harvest! Can't wait to get some things out of my garden this year

[@AcreHomestead]

Oh hello fellow rdh! What part of WA are you in? I'm glad you are enjoying my videos :)

[@luciencastie991]

Hello. Anna

[@heatherclarkson2840]

I just stumbled upon your channel and am so inspired by you! I have never been successful with plants..but will continue to try. I am also going to develop a pantry! Thank you!

[@AcreHomestead]

Wow thanks! Good luck! I new to it too and just keep trying and killing things and learn from it and keep going :)

[@luciencastie1097]

Hello. Heather

[@jeffreywalker9916]

Hello

[@Romans828girl]

@@AcreHomestead There's another T-shirt! "I just keep trying and killing things and learning from it and keep going."

[@LittleGardenBigDreams]

Great video and I love all your tips and info. Very inspiring and enjoyable, thank you for sharing and being real. I’m in Australia and in the opposite growing season, so it’s lovely to watch you harvest while I plan the next season xx Cathi xx

[@AcreHomestead]

I think it's crazy how that works with the seasons on the different sides of the world! I'm so glad you are enjoying my videos :) It's been fun getting to know people on here :)

[@emilymayes6510]

You really are a amazing inspiration thank you so much. I am from Australia and seeing your gardens and preserving in the slow time for Australia is refreshing and exciting 😁🥰

[@gabrielgrowingup]

How is this only your first year gardening?! This is glorious! I have much to learn :)

[@AcreHomestead]

:D

[@bethhayden6725]

Becky im so happy and proud of you and all that you accomplished with your freezer 💗

[@claimercado8316]

I just discover your YT channel. I super love the content. Hoping to have the same garden in the future. Sending love

[@AcreHomestead]

THank you so much!!

[@mccauleylucas9065]

Hello. Clai

[@tinatippin5705]

Chives. So versatile. I have had the best success preserving them in the freezer. I pull the bloom stems out of the bunch, scissor cut the tender shoots finely, and spread them on a small sheet pan (roughly in single layer) that will fit in my freezer and freeze them. It doesn't take long. Then I bag them. I just pull the bag from the freezer and take what I want for the recipe I am making. I especially like to put them in a compound butter and freeze them in a reshaped cube. Wonderful when scrambling eggs or garlic bread or..... They keep really well in the freezer over the winter.

[@AcreHomestead]

Thanks!

[@debbalog5270]

For the chives, I clean and chop them before dehydrating. I clean out the flower stems as they are too hard. I did my scapes as powder this year too. Will be giving my onions a haircut this week.

[@AcreHomestead]

That's a great idea! thanks!

[@elizabethshaw734]

Garlic scapes are so delicious. Saute them with some butter and olive oil and then pour in some eggs! Yum.