Get your canning jar questions answered. In this episode, host Theresa Loe answers 4 listener questions about canning jars. You learn: Why you should include a jar ring when you give away preserves as gifts, What to do with those one use canning lids, How to prevent accidental reuse of used lids, Different options for storing uneaten preserves in the refrigerator, Why we check the rims of jars before each canning session, Tips for storing jars so they stay organized and chip free. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/52 for the show notes which include related links and full transcript of the podcast. 

Stop trying to have the perfect garden and give yourself permission to enjoy the gardening process! In this episode, host Theresa Loe goes over 3 gardening reality checks to help you put your gardening expectations into perspective. And then she dives into 5 simple tips for stopping garden overwhelm in it's tracks before we hit peak harvest time. You learn: The biggest mistake newbie gardeners make, Her secret weapon for fighting weeds organically, A simple trick for keeping track of garden records, The daily practice that will serve you in more ways than you expect. It's all about taking the pressure off ourselves so that we get more out of our gardens than an aching back. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/51 to see the show notes, related links and download the full transcript of the episode. 

Making homemade vinegar is an easy ferment you can try at home. There are two ways to do it and both are covered in this episode. Host Theresa Loe interviews Karla DeLong from Mountain Feed and Farm Supply on the step-by-step methods for creating a vinegar on your countertop. You learn: How to make a vinegar both with a "mother" and without, Why leftover fruit scraps can truly have a second life through fermentation, What is a SCOBY and how does it work, Why setting your brew out at room temperature is totally safe, Why testing for pH is so helpful (and how to do it). For all the links mentioned go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/50 and you will also find a full transcript of the episode.

Learn the science behind the flavor of dried herbs and which herbs are best for drying (and which are not). In this episode, host Theresa Loe shares tips for how to dry herbs that you either harvest yourself or buy at the farmer's market. You learn: The few herbs that are not worth drying (from a culinary standpoint), Why some herbs taste better than others, The science behind essential oils and flavor, The step-by-step instructions for drying herbs. As always, you can get the full transcript at www.LivingHomegrown.com/49 as well as links for more information.

This week's episode answers some listener questions and covers some important canning safety and how to feel confident you are canning correctly. Host Theresa Loe also shares a trick for removing stubborn sticky residue left by old jar labels. You will learn: What causes botulism to throw a party in a canning jar, Why you should NOT water bath can green beans unless they are pickled, A nifty trick for easily removing stubborn canning jar labels that are baked on like cement. As always, you can get more information at www.LivingHomegrown.com/48 including a full transcript and information on the online canning academy. 

Learn the top rookie canning mistakes and how to overcome them. Host Theresa Loe removes some of the road blocks that can cause canners to fail by spelling out some of the common mistakes canners make. But don't feel bad if you've made some of these same mistakes yourself because even advanced canners make them too! In this episode you learn: The most common ways people cover up rather than showcase seasonal flavor, How to best accessorize that flavor, One short cut you should never take, Which salt is best for pickle making, The top tip for pantry storage and so much more. As always, you can go to the show notes to download additional information and the full transcript at www.LivingHomegrown.com/47 as well as get links for more information. Theresa's Canning Academy® is opening its doors in just 2 weeks so be sure to get on the list at www.LivingHomegrown.com/courses to get more information.

Learn what canning myths may be holding you back from reaching your true canning potential. You learn the truth about expense, time and difficulty when canning. Plus you learn: How a good canner is like a master chef - capturing the flavor and suspending it in time, The most compelling reason to can food, and About making jam in 20 minutes with out pectin or even a canner! Host Theresa Loe is opening the doors to her Canning Academy® soon for the spring session. Be sure to sign up to be notified because she only opens the doors a few times each year. The spring session gets you ready in time for summer canning. As always, you can get the show notes, links and the full transcript at www.LivingHomegrown.com/46 and get the PDF recipe for Spiced Blueberry Refrigerator Jam. You can learn more about the Canning Academy at: www.LivingHomegrown.com/Courses 

Learn how canning is much more than preserving a bountiful harvest. In this episode, host Theresa Loe talks about three of the benefits of canning food and how you can reap these benefits even if you do not have a garden. You will learn the many ways canning ties into sustainability, why grocery store produce is not that flavorful (and where to get flavor instead), the secrets behind grocery store tomatoes, and how artisan preserves can tie you directly to a food's story. As always, you can get the full transcript at www.LivingHomegrown.com/45 as well as links to more information. You can also sign up to be notified when Theresa's Canning Academy opens its doors in a few weeks!

Learn the key traits or mindsets needed to be a successful canner - and NO, it is NOT about being perfect or having fancy equipment. In this episode, host Theresa Loe gives you 5 key characteristics you need to bring to the table in order to capture seasonal flavor at its peak. Its not hard. In fact, its all about going with the flow and letting Mother Nature do the work for you. You learn: How to be adventurous while still being safe, The role of lemon and how to harness it, Which additives to bump up and which to avoid and more. As always, you can visit www.LivingHomegrown.com/44 to get all the links mentioned, information on the Canning Academy and a full transcript of the episode.

You don't need a lot of land to grow your own food. In this week's episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Julie Chai - former senior editor at Sunset Magazine all about getting started with edible plants in containers. You learn: What you can and cannot grow in containers, Why you don't want to use your garden soil, Key tips for bountiful crops, How to judge when to water, And tricks for making your own tomato cages. As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/43 for a full transcript and links to all the things mentioned in the episode.