Penny pinching

[Mini Horses]

Don't be afraid of pressure canning. Many of the "horror stories" were from times back when they didn't have the safety feature the do now. First time might be a nervous event but, then it's a breeze. I actually like to can but, sometimes the food prep is time consuming.

 

[Rillowen]

Don't be afraid of pressure canning. Many of the "horror stories" were from times back when they didn't have the safety feature the do now. First time might be a nervous event but, then it's a breeze. I actually like to can but, sometimes the food prep is time consuming.

Thank you, I should probably try it, but first I'd have to break down and buy one.. the next hurdle! I want to get to where we grow all our own meat though, so I should probably invest at some point.

 

[FarmerJamie]

Thank you, I should probably try it, but first I'd have to break down and buy one.. the next hurdle! I want to get to where we grow all our own meat though, so I should probably invest at some point.

Yes, it is intimidating. A quality large pressure canner (All American) can be pricey. Back in the day, with a family of five, even a large canner was not enough to keep up.

If you are wary of the process, might I suggest getting a small (5-7 quart electric canner)? My now wife was terrified of the big canner. She had second hand horror stories, too. Her female family members would not let her near the canning process. A few years ago, we bought a small electric canner to build her confidence. Then, health issues prevent her from using the "big" canner, so we bought a larger electric canner. She is as happy as a clam she is able to put up stuff with only moderate assistance from me.

Being able to open, dump, and heat meals is such a good thing

 

[Rillowen]

Yes, it is intimidating. A quality large pressure canner (All American) can be pricey. Back in the day, with a family of five, even a large canner was not enough to keep up.

If you are wary of the process, might I suggest getting a small (5-7 quart electric canner)? My now wife was terrified of the big canner. She had second hand horror stories, too. Her female family members would not let her near the canning process. A few years ago, we bought a small electric canner to build her confidence. Then, health issues prevent her from using the "big" canner, so we bought a larger electric canner. She is as happy as a clam she is able to put up stuff with only moderate assistance from me.

Being able to open, dump, and heat meals is hmm that's a good suggestion, thank you.

 

[Mini Horses]

So how's the gardening going? Did you process those birds yet?

 

[Rillowen]

So how's the gardening going? Did you process those birds yet?

It's going well! The greens and peas are all ready and being eaten. We have mustard greens, spinach, radishes, lettuce, lambs quarter, basil, sage, cilantro and snap peas all harvested every couple days. I'm drying the extra herbs and storing them. The tomatoes, cucumbers, sunflowers, carrots peppers, melons, squash, and corn are all starting to really take off now, with blooms for the last week on the tomatoes!
The new "chicks" are 11 weeks old now, so for dual purpose breeds they are still amazing bit small, but we are planning the first round of butchering in about 3 weeks!

 

[Mini Horses]

Your doing great! If dual purpose type, you might need to wait maybe a month longer. They build carcass structure before adding a good weight -- unlike the Cornish X sold that you must butcher or they just die! Take one off the roost one night and feel it for body flesh before you set up for harvest.

 

[Rillowen]

Your doing great! If dual purpose type, you might need to wait maybe a month longer. They build carcass structure before adding a good weight -- unlike the Cornish X sold that you must butcher or they just die! Take one off the roost one night and feel it for body flesh before you set up for harvest.

Thanks, I was thinking they seemed to need another month, but then I have a hard time harvesting before they are full sized adults so I wasnt sure if I was just putting it off lol. We have a couple different mixes in there, its interesting to see which ones are growing the fastest, its not what I would have expected.