Making home grown concord grape jelly and teaching you how to waterbath can!

[@kimberlin2945]

Could you give us a tour of your grapes and talk about your trellis system and if you like it/ what you would change do different!

[@meggrowsplants]

Yes, I’ll have to keep that in mind for next year, as right now they are going dormant for the season! But basically I have them growing up a cattle panel trellis (one on each side) and I really like it so far!! I wouldn’t do anything different

[@TabythaPolaris]

Get the presto election pressure canner you can pressure cook and water bath in it. It is very easy for beginners it tells you what to do and is automated! Thats how I started its awesome!

[@meggrowsplants]

I’ve been eyeing that one! I do like the electric appeal. I feel like it would take the pressure off of me. No pun intended 😂

[@stevenallen20]

Thank you for your tutorial. It’s wonderful. I want to learn to do water bath canning especially with an abundance of tomatoes this year.

[@meggrowsplants]

@@stevenallen20thank you so much! :) I actually have a pasta sauce video planned to film when I get back from my trip 😮

[@stevenallen20]

@@meggrowsplants thank you. I’ve got so many Roma tomatoes this year as well as Rutgers

[@7milesCoffeebean-zo5rx]

Hey Meg ! I’m writing to you from the East of Africa in A small country called Rwanda , I’m new at farming but it’s something I’ve always loved and enjoyed doing , quick question I’m trying to grow blueberries here ( Rwanda ) what’s your advice and type of berries you think o can be able to grow at home ? I don’t know if you will read my text but I’m have faith you will see my text ! Much respect and love from Rwanda ! Thanks lots

[@meggrowsplants]

Hi there!! Welcome, and thank you for your comment! I do not know so much about the environment in Rwanda, but I can guess that it’s pretty warm there! You should see if you can find a variety of blueberry that can tolerate warm temperatures (like southern highbush), and I think strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries would grow well also. And maybe ground cherries (cape gooseberries) as well! I wish you the best of luck in your farming journey! You got this ❤️

[@sheteg1]

Blueberries like dark marshy areas to grow in. Not too hot. Try to find a bog to plant it in.

[@victoriadominguezz]

Meg, the video was great! Also, I know you wanted to make more but girl, you got THREE jars! That’s so cool! This was v interesting and now I want to try this out!

[@meggrowsplants]

Thank you so much! And yes, it’ll take me a while to go through those jars! I just expected more juice, idk why 😂 but grapes only get better over time so maybe next year I’ll be able to make the wine 🍷

[@sallypeanuts1805]

What zone are u located in?

[@meggrowsplants]

I’m in zone 7b (NC)

[@sarahlightfoot3431]

Ball is literally the least trusted lid since 2020.

[@meggrowsplants]

Can you explain why? And which is better? The first I’m hearing this!

[@sheteg1]

It’s so funny. I got exactly 2 cups of Concord grape juice this morning after strainer all night 😂. I was trying to figure out ratios because Bernadin recipe is 4 cups. And voila found ur recipe ! Making it right now. Thx.

[@bluelilly22222]

You are a good teacher ❤

[@meggrowsplants]

Thank you :) I am trying!

[@kellyk7482]

No need to apologize! You’re FABULOUS

[@meggrowsplants]

Thank you so much!! ❤

[@chamberswagner2010]

Jams & jellies are so fun to make! This weekend I did a Blueberry-grape jam that turned out really good as well (I wish I had that nut bag because pushing that through a strainer wasn't my idea of a fun time).

[@meggrowsplants]

They’re sooo fun and delicious! And so fun to make as gifts. I’m stocking up for Christmas 🎄 blueberry grape sounds amazing! And yes, I love love those nut bags. I’ve had mine for like 5 years now!

[@marilynlopez9866]

You explain it so well that I feel ready to water can. Thank you!

[@meggrowsplants]

I’m so glad!! Waterbath canning is so easy once you get it down pat!

[@rachelpotter6545]

If you add a little butter it will help with the foam great video as always

[@meggrowsplants]

Thank you! 🫶🏼 I don’t add butter, because it wasn’t a part of the recipe and like I said, I always stick to the book!

[@rachelpotter6545]

@@meggrowsplants oh okay sorry was just trying to help

[@angelseightsix]

@@meggrowsplants The butter is not a part of the recipe, it simply helps to keep your foam less. I'm 65, have been canning for 55 years. When I have foam, I simply leave it in. I only skim the foam when I'm entering in a fair, competition, or want a cleaner looking jelly. When I skim the foam, I put it in the fridge jar of jelly to eat first. These days there are so MANY 100% juice kinds that I find it fun to experiment with adding different flavors. What I do is pour a little in a glass, measured, then add another kind of juice, measured, so you can get a proper taste and specific measurements for your recipe. Like if you add 2 cups grape juice to 1 cup of passion fruit juice and taste. If you want it more sour, add more passionfruit juice, this way you have your own recipe for the way your family likes it! You may have your own apple tree but want a combo of something you don't have growing, so you buy that juice at the store. It's so much fun to experiment!!! Your voice is comforting and clear for teaching others. Keep up the good work!!!!

[@LeeAnn1031]

This was so incredible❤

[@veryberry39]

My dad used to make strawberry jam when I was a kid. Every spring we'd head out to the orchard and pick a ton of berries, and then he'd make enough jam to last the year (he always took PB&Js to work). But I distinctly remember that part of his canning process (he also used to follow a recipe) was to take the jars out and put them upside-down. That was part of the sealing process, and now I wish I knew why he had to do it, since you obviously didn't! If anyone else knows, please feel free to tell me!

[@veryberry39]

Nevermind, I just googled it and it's called inversion canning, and is not considered to be a safe method of doing things. Still kinda fascinating to me, though, when I think back on it! I remember how frustrated he'd get when sometimes the lids didn't form a seal. :P

[@katiekovalchik9221]

This was such an awesome video and so informative. I can’t wait to try this! Thank you for taking the time to film this process!

[@meggrowsplants]

Thank you so so much! I’m so glad you found it helpful (:

[@felicitywoodruffe4087]

Superb, you explain and demonstrate beautifully .Ive always felt unsure watching other people but this was crustal clear for me tjank you so much

[@meggrowsplants]

Thank you so much I’m so glad to hear that! I hope you feel more confident canning now ❤️

[@RosaRamirez-f4y]

Do your grapes have seeds?

[@meggrowsplants]

Yes

[@savannahcampbell7383]

Meg this was soooo good!!! I can’t wait to watch this while I try to can:) Thank you for your content🤍

[@meggrowsplants]

Thank you so so much!! I appreciate you watching 🫶🏼

[@JDEvansbooks]

Ooo interesting. I really want to grow concords, but the ag extension said they aren't great for the piedmont. I planted a couple anyway becauseI like to torture myself I guess. the pests do seem to love them. Anything special you do with yours? Also, you might like the book Canning for a New generation. It's my favorite book, and she has a great, easy concord grape jelly recipe in there too!

[@meggrowsplants]

They seem to do good near Charlotte! I think they’ll do just fine in the piedmont! I don’t do anything special really. I fertilize every spring with an organic fruit fertilizer. I like the one by Dr earth!

[@jeffkimble8857]

I live in concord nc and Concord grapes do awesome here. They will grow fine anywhere in the piedmont.

[@rottenbunnies]

that nail color!! been binge watching all your videos. so helpful and entertaining :)

[@mismatchedsocksshop7227]

Your biggest strength is that you are real. That's what makes you an effective teacher. ❤

[@mermaidtails4391]

Why do none of the grape jelly recipes I see require lemon juice? Just curious.

[@meggrowsplants]

The sugar and pectin is enough to preserve it. I’ve never seen one with lemon juice! Is that added for taste?

[@mermaidtails4391]

@@meggrowsplants many lower acid jellies have lemon juice added. Not only to properly preserve for long storage but to work in conjunction with the sugar and pectin

[@meggrowsplants]

@@mermaidtails4391 hmm, interesting! I always follow recipes from the book to make sure they’re safe, but I looked through it and did see some recipes that included lemon juice. Not sure why it doesn’t for grape jelly, who knows!

[@rubyfazil9136]

Tbh the blurry bit wasn’t so bad

[@meggrowsplants]

Okay phew! Glad you think so!

[@shaizikhan-xg6mh]

Lots of love from india 🇮🇳

[@islami561]

♥️

[@studentid123]

Beautiful beautiful as much as i can say❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@meggrowsplants]

Thank you (:

[@romanholtzen]

So neat!

[@meggrowsplants]

Thank you!