Best Tips for BUSY Preservation Days & the Harvest

[@thedelightfulcottage343]

Here is a unusual suggestion, if you are not the spouse home all day doing the preservation..... Offer to clean the kitchen, or bathe the kids, do the outside chores, or carry down the canned goodies the next day! It really is a big help!

[@Steadylife2]

OMG Josh your wife stays more beautiful; even in fatigued pregnancy, than my best day ever had! Your homesteading lifestyle serves you well and it shows. Thank you for being so involved even in the busiest of days. Gratitude.

[@deborahnelson7907]

For the plums...there is a cake recipe from the 70s or 80s that was made with plum baby food. When I had an abundance of plums a couple of years ago, I just pureed the plums I cooked on the stove and used the puree to make the cake. It was my husband's favorite. I made it in a loaf pan, like a quick bread. Delicious.

[@nqrr7346]

My best friend and I had a huge apple harvest and she was very pregnant. So we sat and visited together to get the day started then as we were processing I did all the standing and prepping jars as she kept peeling and cutting for apple pie filling( your recipe Carolyn!) We worked all day like that and split the rewards! We hot to visit, she got to stay seated and all the work still got done!!

[@gailday7566]

The idea of having your kids help and the word picture of kids with plum jelly reminds me of a day when my twins were between 1-2 and they wanted to help me as I was making 10 apple pies. So….I gave them the job of taking the peelings into the kitchen trash. I was sitting on the couch while working and once I got all the apples peeled, cored and sliced I took everything back to the kitchen to make the pies. Throughout the rest of the day I began to find apple peels everywhere. The funniest was when I’d open bedroom doors and find them stuffed under the doors. Thank goodness we had linoleum in the house and just needed a hood mopping. Now it is a fond memory!

[@edenridgefarms]

I would LOVE to see a full preservation day for y’all because I could definitely use that motivation and encouragement. We’ve been overwhelmed with fresh produce from our own garden and community farmers and I’ve been in the kitchen every day nearly all day for two weeks. 😅

[@tinamichel5799]

My 5 yr old granddaughter loves to help me can. Her favorite part is filling the jars. She also helps in the garden and grew her own carrots this year. Was so fun watching her take care of them daily. When they started coming up & got a couple inches tall, she lightly run her hand over to top & say "I'm so proud if my carrots". She should be, it was allot of work on her part to get them to grow and i am beyond proud of her & all she does. Love your channel, i am super busy at the moment but try to watch an epoliside or two each morning in hopes to catch up some on videos i have missed.

[@dcmc7383]

I am so very glad you talked about pulling your children into these homesteading work/tasks. The self-esteem (not ego) I developed being raised on a small family farm cannot be understated. I always felt so much pride that I helped wash and snap green beans, garlic, corn, potatoes, et al. I started when I was two years old...and I put one potato into the bushel at a time...and that was okay. It's great exercise, creates learning opportunities, and helps bond family members and children and their food sources. It creates a sense of gratitude as well. When you eat a casserole, you know exactly how much work it was to make that cheese/cream, harvest/clean/prep vegetables, butcher/pluck/prep chicken and then put it all together. It doesn't matter if the casserole only took 20 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes to cook...there are hours and hours into getting those ingredients ready. So important to really understand that impact. You're either paying the price of the food with your time and energy OR you're working at a job and paying someone else to do it....but there is a huge cost of resources involved. Always.

[@krysthanh8932]

I wish to have such a happy family. Wish your family forever happy like this !

[@debkincaid2891]

It's just my hubby and me so no kids to help. I get overwhelmed at times but make myself just stop, breathe, do what I can do, and know that what doesn't get preserved still has a useful purpose feeding my birds & other critters as well as feeding my compost bins. Feeling much gratitude for the food & the lessons learned in my first year of sustainable, sustenance gardening. Applying what I've learned in my planning for next season's garden. 🤗

[@michellespriggs7789]

I’m working on harvest and really was encouraged by this video. This is the biggest harvest I’ve done and it’s really overwhelming at times.

[@defendressofsan8948]

You got this!!

[@amykruse6887]

It is overwhelming, but think of all that food! Such a blessing. We wrapped up our harvest year last week. I sure took a day to sit, breathe, and congratulate ourselves for all that work. Now on to firewood cutting for winter!

[@kindhempco.6126]

Your knowledge and insights are amazing! Y'all are the best and inspire us on our homestead!

[@HomesteadingFamily]

Wow, thank you!

[@sheenamickel8706]

Best memories from my childhood and teenage years - canning weekends with my grandmother and aunt! Spot on with your encouragement to include children.

[@hannahthehomesteader]

Hearing about everything on your plate always motivates me. I have 2 kids 2 and under and am 4 months pregnant with my 3rd. We live a couple east of you so our climates are similar and harvest hits around the same time. So just as I'm getting discouraged with preserving ALL the food, getting the garden ready for winter, etc, I see you doing the exact same thing- also pregnant- and I feel like I can do this! Thank you :) What helps get me through is remembering what has to be preserved right now vs what can sit in storage, stay in the garden, or be frozen until i am ready. I have bags of tomatoes and fruit in the freezer, waiting to be preserved while I deal with the massive amount of corn I'm bringing in (that I never thought would ripen lol). My root veggies could be harvested but I'm leaving them until it gets colder. One thing at a time!

[@kaybusby7507]

Good information. I worked 8 hours then go home to do the canning or prep work so I agree that planning it all out helps.

[@catiepower3550]

It’s true that it’s a bonding experience. My son has helped me plan, design and build my garden. We dug the fence, built the beds, planted and harvested together. My daughter helps with preserving since she’s not really a green thumb. We’ve learned loads together and they talk to their friends about it.

[@denisewalsh9873]

I set up stations for processing apples. 3 year old washed, myself and granddaughter cut and cored and the nine year old put it though the chopper. We all had fun. Then into the crockpot for apple butter which the kids love

[@DutchAlaskagirl]

I wish I had your problem with plums🤣 When I hear plum I think of prune plums back in Germany which is leading me to thoughts of prune streusel 😋

[@karenw9996]

You're right, preserving is the toughest part. I'm exhausted, and can't wait for the rest that winter will bring, even though I'm sad that the nice weather is on the way out.

[@lindaandstevejensen2002]

60 jars of jam in one day is impressive,Carolyn! But if you find it hard to store that much at once, here is what I found….Canning the juice from apples,elderberries, crabapples, chokecherries worked better for me and Took less shelf space. Then when harvest season eased up, I went back and made up some jam/jellies to have some on the shelf. Thanks for all your info!!!

[@jillyinsd8343]

congrats on new baby … how sweet … I forgot how many children you have … just read notes 9 kids, so does baby make 10 ? Love that you are homeschooling and waiting to start after harvest … less stress

[@dlgrilli]

I am so grateful for the two of you! You add so very much to our community! So much! Your knowledge and skills are invaluable to us! Bless you, both, and your family!

[@growinglongisland]

I have a hard time handling preserving. I manage a medical practice and work long hours. Seed starting, transplanting, cleaning garden beds and preserving is a lot to handle. I’ve froze my tomato’s whole this year until I can find time to can them which I did last year and it worked out great. Fermenting is quick and easier way to preserve veggies, I’ve also roasted a ton of veggies and put them in a sweet and sour sauce it’s an Italian dish called caponata and canned it. Today I’m making a big batch of sofritto , onions, garlic, peppers, celery, cilantro, salt, stick them all in a blender, add lime which is a Spanish version and then I make Italian version and they last for months and use it to season literally anything. All these things are a quicker way of using up all the harvest and using them throughout the year.

[@joanies6778]

I LOVE eggplant caponata! My eggplants are coming in late this year and will likely have to mature in my poly tunnel. Can't wait!

[@growinglongisland]

@@joanies6778 mine are too! I’m planning on making eggplant parmigiana with them. It’s only me and my husband so I bought small tins that will store nicely in the freezer I plan on using making them ahead so when I’m working on my late nights my husband can take one out of the freezer and throw one in the oven and dinner is done.

[@GingerKral]

Thanks you two. Love the chats

[@jackieh2434]

This year I'm freezing our tomatoes as we pick them, then this fall/winter when things slow down I'll turn them into pizza and pasta sauce...and freeze them again lol It works for me and a lot less stress. It tastes fine, I just add a little tomato paste when I thaw the sauce to give it an extra pop of flavor and thicken it a bit. Do what works for you

[@susewambold8175]

I am also freezing as I get them in. It has saved me from a lot of stress in trying to process them

[@veronicaavsec6808]

I make plum dumplings with Italian plums and my dough is made with mashed potatoes it's a Slovenian dish my grandmother always made . I make the dough and cut plums in half take out seed put a half a tsp to a tsp of sugar cut square of dough roll put plum in dough pinch real good put in boiling water and drain let cool and put in vacuum seal bags then when ready to eat I take some regular white bread crumbs and cinnamon and sugar add to some butter in a pan and add to plum dumplings. Sooo delicious

[@amyl.3236]

If you mix plum puree and yogurt and freeze dry it..oh the yummiest treat 😋

[@thehamfamhomestead]

Pantry chat question: what skills do you make sure your kids are well versed in (hunting, fishing, sewing, etc)? When do you start? My husband and I had great grandparents that farmed but those traditions were not passed down through the generations. We want our kids to be more prepared than we were, but not sure where to start.

[@jessicamarvin1496]

I bet your plums are Damson Plums. I have 2 trees as well and they make amazing preserves, breads, pies, cobblers but are a bit bitter fresh. However the wildlife adore them especially the deer. I will have to try fruit leather though I have not done that yet!

[@sandrabulluck1896]

Good advice on preparing dinner beforehand! I also have a hard time getting everything done when it’s ready to be preserved...

[@lindastritzel4729]

Thank you for all you do😊

[@valeriewallisch5249]

Your plum sounds like it might be a Stanley plum. Delicious!

[@LavenderDebs]

I just cannot thank you enough for your videos. Gardening and urban farming in Western Washington used to be my life, a rhythm I was comfortable with. Starting over in Montana has been a little tough. I thought I was good at this (I'm not bad) but it is surprisingly different here. So, again, thanks! Debs in Troy, Montana

[@theclumsyprepper]

I find handling it all really difficult. I work full-time on so growing, harvesting and preserving food is a challenge as I have normal house chores and studying herbalism on top of it. I do my best though.

[@HigherEnergyPermaculture]

I feel this for real

[@HigherEnergyPermaculture]

We need to just start our full time farms 😭

[@pnwfarmdog4090]

I can relate to that. I work five to six days a week and then have to take care of the home and family. Just take it a little at a time and it will eventually get done. Just keep up the good work!

[@theclumsyprepper]

@@HigherEnergyPermaculture I tried that but it didn't work for me and I ended up losing money, hence me going back to being a wage slave.

[@HigherEnergyPermaculture]

Do you know why? Where was the big downfalls

[@debrahaley1235]

Great advice! Thanks

[@dennisfox8050]

Thanks guy!

[@DonnaMM6361]

Please recommend a good produce refrigerator. I haven't watched this episode yet, but the details that are NEVER in videos is about the refrigeration. What temperature is best to hold various items like leafy vegetables, peppers, stone fruits, etc. What temperature is best and what about humidity? I don't have a big farm. But, when our plum tree is producing 100 pounds of fruit or more in an "on" year, you can't pick them fast enough. Refrigeration is required. I need to get a fridge that is just for produce.

[@avermontlife]

Once you've completed your canning and other food preservation, I suggest you turn the rest of those bushels into wine.

[@joanies6778]

I rarely drink alcohol, but stayed with a lady who made homemade plum brandy. OMG! 😋 It was so delicious, but I could only sip it a little at a time. They could also make vinegars, or meade, or ferment them, too, I would think.

[@shellnet411]

They might be good for preserved plums there's a lot of plums in Japanese culture look That up for some recipes

[@amykruse6887]

@@joanies6778 this would also be great to cook with or do marinades.

[@joanies6778]

@@amykruse6887 😋 All these ideas are making me wish I had a plum tree!

[@sheriyonker4830]

@@joanies6778 me too!!

[@belieftransformation]

Good advice; thanks for sharing! Many blessings to your family 🤗❤️🇨🇦

[@marilynwalsh7957]

Prune plums, Italian plums, have yellow flesh and it comes away from the pit very easily. Very sweet fresh. Isn't it a bit cold to shear? That is new to me. Thanks

[@josephg.3370]

Thank you

[@vango20]

Completed our first pressure canning session last night thanks to you guys… where can I get the hat Josh is wearing??

[@amykruse6887]

June/July starts our harvest and we are just wrapping up veggies. Only a few plants for fresh produce remain. Finished bagging chicken and just waiting on my husband to bring home venison before I can put the canner away for a bit.

[@dennisfox8050]

The closest I have found is the GERMAN PRUNE PLUM. I planted mine and it was called a STANLEY PLUM but the fruit looks more like the GERMAN PRUNE PLUM.

[@No.1R3dneck]

I just got finished making plum butter! Perhaps a thought for you!

[@GardeningWarrior]

I washed my pickling cucmbers last night and they were perfect and firm..i went to go do the pickles today and I guess I didnt dry them all the way and they had soft spots and stuff..I was so sad but will still use them

[@ecocentrichomestead6783]

Sounds like the plum tree I have. Mount Royal Plum

[@knittinghands23]

So, are you saying that you are "plum out of energy?" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣💚💚💚

[@debbieembury6885]

Awww I guess I Missed the baby news! 🎉🎉 congratulations

[@patprettyman2273]

Freeze dried plums yum

[@harvestenthusiast4519]

I'm not sure what your plum tree is called my Grandma called ours i prune tree i think but I'm about positive for my description it's the one I grew up with in my yard. Also I do believe that Korean BBQ marinade is made with a plum sauce base 😋. If you'd like to give that a go. It's one of my favorite meat dishes to cook.🤤

[@johnsturtevant9351]

Not trying sound like a broken record - but I would love to see Josh do a video, or talk about it on Pantry Chat - but clarify "Systems" and how one wraps their head around them - you two talk about systems all the time, but clarify "Systems" and how one implements them - so when planning a "System" one knows the bullet points or main things one needs to consider in planning. I think sometimes systems are confused with routines, etc too. Then how to integrate multiple systems seamlessly.

[@defendressofsan8948]

TYSM sharing

[@wendyd4895]

I love your suggestion about fermenting as things come in at small amounts! I’ve been doing that with my pickling cucumbers. I get concerned though when I see the kahm yeast developing on the top. Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks!❤️

[@karensheart]

Hello! Just a suggestion, put up a pic of the plum tree so prayerfully someone recognises it and can help with identifying it!

[@joanies6778]

90 pints? Wow! I guess if you have help and a big kitchen, it's doable. I struggle in my small kitchen with my small garden when harvest comes around. Glad I bought a freezer finally so I can freeze things I can't get to in a timely manner. Still, I am always amazed when I look back and see how much I got canned, as tough as it was to get to it all. Great tips, though!

[@lindafredrick6427]

I really enjoy your videos, I do have a question re: your membership, I belong to the silver membership and was wondering how can I join the gold membership and if what I already paid will go torward the gold membership. Thanks

[@HomesteadingFamily]

Please email us at [e-mail] and we can help with that. Thanks!

[@marykelley7267]

Question. What are the details on the firewood machine that does a log at a time?

[@suemagyari2992]

Your description sounds like, perhaps a Damson "Farleigh" or an Opal Plum. European plum.

[@t631]

Question - does your preservation methods shift or change since you're pregnant? Or do you eat any differently? A lot of mainstream advice doesn't consider traditional homesteading practices.

[@nicholehillabush7211]

What plum jam recipe do you use? I have a basketful and have never tried to do anything with them lol.

[@melissaroot1092]

I am having trouble finding a jar sealer that works, what is your recommendation?

[@nancyhewetson9517]

Are they Damson Plums?

[@countrylivin3633]

if u open the jars and don't eat it all right away, make sure to re seal after

[@michellel5444]

It's easy to think you'll never use all the crop but then you may have a bad year or two. Never know.

[@nancybest21]

Show us a picture of the plums. It does sound like a small Italian plum

[@aillyia]

There’s an app for phones that allows you take pictures of the plant and it will tell you what it is

[@ericarigler8892]

I didn't see a link for today's live...is it available?

[@theresavanduzer3459]

We are trying to buy land for our homestead. I am keeping in mind about what you said buying your animal feed in advance to get ahead of Inflation. Can you tell me how much feed per animal,(pigs and chicken), for a year starting out with feeder pigs and baby chicks? A round about figure of course. I haven’t farmed in years and I can’t remember at all. And I have never done chickens.

[@thesmiths629]

Think .25 to .34 lbs of chicken feed per mature bird per day and half that amount amount for the first 8 weeks. This is just an average. Composting and garden scraps plus free range options help lower the feed consumption needs.

[@theresavanduzer3459]

@@thesmiths629 thank you!

[@thesmiths629]

I've never raised pigs but some good names to look for information from would obviously be the beloved Joel Salatin, and also Justin Rhodes. They both focus on teaching others how to do what they do well.

[@theresavanduzer3459]

@@thesmiths629 thank you! I’m familiar to both. They are great sources thanks!

[@ginaexum3345]

I have not heard that. What I do know is, they pay for their moving expenses. The families get to travel and live in different places, reduction on many things including buying a house. Seems they have more benefits than civilians do.

[@lisawallace3124]

??

[@countrylivin3633]

Do u have any tips on growing plums in colder climates. thanks from MN

[@KatrinaM1234]

What do you do if you have a lot of green tomatoes still (most of harvest for the year) and freezing temperatures are coming? Living in MN

[@shermdog6969]

Mock apples, green tomato salsa, green tomato chocolate cake, pickled green tomatoes. Tons of things to make with them. I pick them early on purpose. Way more uses for us.

[@joanies6778]

In addition to the suggestions above, have you ever had fried green tomatoes? Yum! If any of your green tomatoes have started turning yellowish or peachy in color, you can pick them and let them ripen on the counter. I do it all the time. I also clip off blossoms or the top of the plant which encourages the tomatoes to ripen, when the season is close to ending. Last year I had 25 lbs of San Marzanos left on the vines when the temps got too low to just cover them anymore. I do grow mine vertically under a cattle hoop panel tunnel which I was covering with row covers, blankets, plastic, etc. to protect from extreme heat or cold. So, when it started into freezing temps, I decided to cut them at the base, trimmed off all the leaves and non producing branches, stuck the bottom of the stems in buckets with water, and put them in my sunroom until they matured. Since they were growing vertically and clipped to a string with a hook, I just used a tall ladder to hook them onto. They all matured in their own time! You can always just clip the branches with tomatoes and do the same if not grown vertically. This year I have 6 mil poly over my tomato tunnel. So, I plan to extend their growth as long as I can since so much was stunted due to so many extreme 100°F+ temps this past season. Good luck on whatever you decide to do!

[@brettemarcum3645]

I boxed them in the kitchen an use them as they ripen

[@glendastaples9536]

I have used a mixture of plums to make plum jam. My favorite is plum/raspberry jam. My grandmother made it. It's basically plum jam recipe with a carton of fresh raspberries added in. I use the pink box of Sure-Jell recipe. I googled search the plum you are talking about, too many different varieties to tell without a picture. There are different ones I have tried, I enjoy all plums.

[@AHomeIsHaven]

QUESTION ABOUT CANNING: My canner recommendation is to cook at 11 lbs, but my stove only wants to cook over or under. Is it okay to can at 12 or 13 lbs or do I have to start over? Having to sit and every minute or two adjust the heat to maintain 11lbs exactly leaves me not willing to can as often because I don't have that amount of time to spare most days to just stare at the pressure gauge. And yeah it's a 15lb weight on the top. I have to use that one until I can get a 10lb weight.

[@thesmiths629]

How do you control weevil infestations in your stored grains for chicken feed? I have issues just trying to keep 2-4 months supply on hand. My dog food even had some strange beetles in it. I stopped ordering from chewy because of it.

[@oliviaarnest5536]

You might try putting diatomaceous earth powder down in the grain containers which is non toxic, just wear a dust mask. Or try stocking up during cold months in which you could put the bins outside to let them freeze for 48hrs to kill bugs. 😁

[@thesmiths629]

@@oliviaarnest5536 that makes sense. I rarely get freezes that last more than 12 hours in Texas. In Idaho that's not an issue. Sadly I've not had DE work for me for much stuff.

[@judynoorda8046]

I had a huge harvest of big fat cucumbers that seemed to get big over night. I put them in brine in my 6 gallon crock. My brine has turned cloudy. How do I know if they are still good? Then what to do with that many if they are still good. Kinda trying to have a big barrel of pickles like you get at Disneyland.

[@oliviaarnest5536]

Well if the pickles are ready, taste the way you like them, either refrigerate or can them to stop their fermentation and eventual rot.

[@karencooper1980]

So how much pectin for 90 jars of jelly and where do you purchase that ammount?

[@shellbell70x7]

Do you make a savory plum sauce.

[@mariannereno8501]

💖

[@gayleasche9547]

Brooks maybe?

[@nachagirl6995]

Damson plums?

[@sheliaheverin8822]

Can you freeze dry plums?

[@savoy6100]

I'm sorry, this question doesn't have any think to do with your topic. Can i put pig poo in my compost pile. I herd you can't. Help

[@tracymeehan3683]

Do you sell the jellies ever?

[@autumnmackert9924]

How many helpers do you usually have in the kitchen for harvest season?

[@victoriacugini9147]

Is the soap class in the silver or gold membership?

[@HomesteadingFamily]

The Gold level has the soap class in it! :)

[@Thewrightplaceplans]

How to your store the fruit leather?

[@HomesteadingFamily]

We store in an airtight container at room temperature.

[@Thewrightplaceplans]

@@HomesteadingFamily how long are they good for. ? If they last that long hahahah

[@sarahmiranda7130]

BBB has a lot of complaints on the freeze dryers since 2020 issues hit. I'd like one, but I've read too many horror stories now.

[@Dangeresque_2]

I’ve noticed this too. I’m sure their affiliates get great service but seems a lot of people get defective machines and no help with them really.

[@mothertreasa]

May I please ask approximately how old each of you are?

[@brittneyfranklin9469]

Is anyone experiencing harvest burnout? I’m always thankful for our harvest season, but I’m starting to lose motivation. If anyone else has gone through this, any suggestions to possibly avoid it?

[@cuppspunk]

Try to find someone to help you if you don't have help

[@heathercook8361]

I did!! So I took a break. Froze the tomatoes. Our green beans all got rust so that harvest ended too quickly. So I was able to take a break. The apples we were given are so tart. But they seem to be waiting for me. After a week or more break I’m ready to go at it again. Maybe such a long break will not work for you, but even a little one may help. Blessings to you!!!

[@amandar7719]

Is it a damson?

[@beverlyboyce1041]

That's what I thought cause they ripen later in season

[@marcidevries5515]

Ugh! The clothing switch!

[@barbararuthsmith2882]

Sounds like my Victoria plum. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_plum