GenAcres Homestead

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.

Swiss Chard aka  Spinach Beet, Leaf Beet                                Annual, Perennial in warmer climates. Height:  1-3'   Width:  Up to 2' Swiss Chard is both edible and beautiful as an ornamental plant.  It has colorful stems and bright green leaves making it as glamorous as it is nutritious.  It is high in vitamins A and C and a good source of calcium.  Swiss Chard will keep growing long after other greens have bolted. Types: Reddish, creamy white or colorful stalks, all of which taste mostly the same. Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks   Starting Seeds of Swiss Chard Seed Depth:                    1/2" to 3/4" deep. Seed Spacing:                 4", or thin seedlings later to 4" apart. Germination Temp:          50+ degrees.  Optimum 85 degrees. Days to Germinate:          5-7 days. Days to Harvest:              40 - 60 days, depending on the variety. Seed Longevity:               4 years. Sowing Indo

Rosemary is a hardy evergreen shrub that is a staple in any herb garden.  Perennial in Zones 7 – 10 (and borderline Zone 6), Rosemary is one of the most aromatic and pungent of all of the woody herbs.  The leaves have a lemony flavor that pairs well with lamb, garlic and olive oil.  The flowers can be blue, pink, purple or white. Starting Rosemary from Seed Rosemary can be difficult to grow from seed and often does not grow true to their parent plant.  Taking cuttings is recommended as opposed to seed sowing, but here's the information in case you prefer to try. Seed Longevity:                               1 year. Seed Sowing Depth:                        Just cover.  Needs some light to germinate. Best Soil Temp for Germination:      70 degrees.  Heat mat will help. Days to Germination:                       14-21+ days. Spring Sowing Sow indoors 10-12 weeks before the last frost date to plant out after the last frost date. Don't transplant