GenAcres Homestead

Signs of Spoilage in Home Canned Food When preserved correctly, homemade canned foods won't go bad, ever. But realistically speaking, the food can last for at least two to five years easily without compromising on the taste or nutritional value.

How to Fix Hosta Center Die-Out Also Known as Fairy Ring Hosta center die-out is sometimes referred to as "clump die-back" and “fairy ring.” The latter is a nickname given to this problem that is said to result from fairies dancing in the middle of the plant. It's a common problem with hostas since they are a very long-lived perennial, but this problem can be easily remedied. 

Fruit Preparation for Making Jellies The water bath is the simplest method for canning and is suitable for most high acid harvests, including fruit and pickled vegetables. Free Printable Pressure Canning Steps in PDF The following instructions are for water bath canning the follow fruits, then how to process them in five easy steps! How to Prepare Each Fruit    Apple Wash, stem and cut into chunks. (Do not core.) Combine apples and three cups of water in a stainless steel or enameled Dutch oven. Cover and simmer for ten minutes. Crush and simmer five more minutes.    Berries Wash. Crush one layer at a time with a potato masher in a stainless steel or enameled Dutch oven. Cover and bring to a simmer. Simmer five minutes. Free PrintOut of  Cherries Dark Sweet Cherries Remove stems. Pit and chop. Cover and bring to a simmer in a stainless steel or enameled Dutch oven with six tablespoons of water and two tablespoons of lemon juice. Simmer ten minutes. Tart Red Cherries Remove s

Growing Milkweed for the Monarch Butterflies The first time I saw a Monarch butterfly up close in my garden, I was completely awestruck by its grace and beauty. Their bright orange wings and solid black borders make the Monarch butterfly one of the most recognizable butterflies. And they are, without a doubt, little migrating miracles.

Are Hostas Drought Tolerant? Reducing our dependence on water is one way gardeners love to be eco-friendly, so it comes as no surprise that drought-tolerant plants continue to be in high demand. But are all hostas really drought tolerant? The answer is yes, and no.

Which Vinegar to use in Canning The Role of Vinegar If you have been looking into the process of canning your own food, you've undoubtedly noticed a lot of talk about safe canning.  Some of the most-asked canning questions relate to the correct use of vinegar.

   Winter Care for your Potted Hostas! A frequent question we get is, will hostas survive over the winter in pots, or, how can I winterize my potted hostas?   Although hostas are very forgiving plants, hostas in pots do need some care  over the winter.  Hostas need a six-week period of temperatures below 40 degrees for their winter sleep. But since during this time the potted hostas can be exposed to several freezes and thaws, they need extra care to prevent damage to their roots.