Learn the secrets to having both a productive garden AND a flock of chickens at the same time. In this episode, host Theresa Loe interviews author and award-winning landscape designer Jessi Bloom about her popular book: Free Range Chicken Gardens - How to create a beautiful, chicken-friendly yard. You learn: Some of the surprising benefits of having chickens (and we don't mean the eggs), How many chickens is "just right" for you, How to design your garden so everyone is happy, What you should know about chicken manure before you use it and MUCH more. As always, you can get more information at www.LivingHomegrown.com/32 where you will also find a full PDF transcript of the podcast and the PBS episode featuring Jessi on Growing A Greener World TV.

Learn the important things to check every time you pull a home-canned jar off the pantry shelf. It is a very important habit to have. In this episode you learn: The difference between spoilage and botulism, What you should never do with a suspicious jar, Seven signs that your canned goods have spoiled, What we now know about mold that our grandparents didn't know, Best practices when storing your canned goods. As aways, you can visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/31 for a PDF of the transcript, show notes and links for more information on canning and canning safety.

Learn some important canning lessons and tricks with this simple (yet delicious) cranberry sauce recipe. It is perfect for Thanksgiving Day (for yourself or as a hostess gift) and even BETTER as a spread on turkey sandwiches the day after. It is a small-batch recipe so there is not a lot of mess or fuss. It's the perfect beginner canning recipe. But you can always skip the canning part and just store it in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks. In this episode, host Theresa Loe shares: Her favorite ingredients for bumping up the cranberry flavor to a gourmet level, Three strategies for handling a foamy jam or cranberry sauce, Why you never need pectin to get the gel, The exact step-by-step instructions for this small-batch recipe. As always, you can visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/30 for the full transcript, a printable PDF of the recipe and more tips and information on canning.

Nothing beats the flavor of homemade applesauce on a cold winter day. NOW is the time to create and preserve that flavor for later. In this episode, host Theresa Loe shows you the EASY way to make homemade applesauce when she answers a listener question on preserving large batches of apples. But the beauty is that you can make and can up any amount of apples you have using a slow cooker (crockpot). In this episode you learn: Two ways to preserve/process large amounts of apples, How to make applesauce the easy way (overnight), The role of sugar in canning applesauce, Two ways to preserve applesauce for later, Color changes and spice recommendations. As always, you can go to the show notes at: www.livinghomegrown.com/29 for the links mentioned, a PDF of the recipe and the downloadable transcript of the episode.

Learn to create a wild fermentation starter called a "Ginger Bug" and start brewing your own homemade Ginger Ale. Home brewed sodas are super easy and allow you to control exactly what is in them. In this episode you will learn: The benefits of homemade soda, How to make a ginger bug with only 3 simple ingredients, Which organic sugar is best for this project, The exact steps for brewing your own ginger ale (also known as ginger beer), How to create a fermentation rhythm, AND some bonus tips for fermentation success. You can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/28 for a PDF of the transcript, a full printable recipe and resources for more soda making info. 

Every canner has to make their own decision about what they feel comfortable doing when it comes to safety. But in the case of pumpkin butter or pumpkin puree, many feel it is odd that it's considered unsafe to put it up in a jar. In this podcast episode, host Theresa Loe explains not only the data that is used to determine the USDA guidelines, but she also explains why pumpkin is handled a little different than you would expect. Surprisingly, you have to look at it from a gardener's perspective. You will learn: The backstory on why the recommendations changed many years back, The 3 characteristics that are causing the safety issue, How commercial companies get around it, The fastest and easiest way to preserve pumpkin at home. As always, you can visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/27 to get all the links mentioned as well as a full PDF transcript of this episode. 

The Hands-On Home book was just released a few days ago and features DIY cooking and home keeping projects for a more productive home. Host Theresa Loe got a sneak peak at this book and she brings on author/blogger Erica Strauss to share what this book is all about AND ways to better utilize the food that we grow or buy locally.  In this episode you learn: Professional chef tips for saving flavor and money, Why you should get creative with food scraps, How just a little kitchen prep can save you at dinner time, How you can win a FREE copy of Erica's book for yourself. As always, you can visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/26 for all the links mentioned, a PDF of the transcript, and information on the Canning Academy (Theresa's online canning course). 

You've got questions and Theresa has your answers. In this episode, Theresa answers a few questions from a listener about quick pickles. You learn: What you should do if you run short on brine, The most important ingredients for safety in quick pickles, Which ingredients you can change or leave out, What happens if the cucumbers are NOT covered in brine, If natural sea salt may be substituted for pickling or Kosher salt in refrigerator pickles. As always, there is lots more info (including a pickle making video) and the full PDF transcript of this episode at LivingHomegrown.com/25 - So be sure to check out the website!

Discover the wonders of flavored vinegars using seasonal produce and herbs. They are super easy to make, packed with flavor and make great gifts come holiday time. In this episode, host Theresa Loe shares: The basic formula for making flavored vinegar that always works, Some sample flavor combos that pack a punch, The 3 best vinegars to use as your base (pros/cons of each), Which vinegar you should never use, The exact steps needed to make your first batch of flavored vinegar, How best to store them for longevity and flavor. As always, you can get a full PDF transcript of the entire episode at www.LivingHomegrown.com/24 and you will also find links to everything mentioned in the episode. 

Learn all about Weck® Jars in this episode including: What they are, What it means to NOT be USDA approved, The 4 components that make them work, The basics of how they are used, How to test seals and open jars, The benefits and drawbacks compared to standard jars in the United States. Be sure to visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/23 to get the full transcript as well as related links for more information.