Tomato Harvest!

This Spring, I took a gardening class at Home Depot, which included information on organic options. I have good luck with flowers (and the weeds grow well, too), but usually kill plants that produce food. Dave had been kind enough to pick up a flat of interesting plants we might be able to use as part of our groceries. In an effort to make the most of that investment, I took the class.

They told me I'd be surprised at how much the plants could produce. The lettuce grew a bunch earilier in the season, but we eat a lot, so it couldn't keep up with us - still, it helped. The green beans have been disappointing in flavor, so there are some, but . . . We had a few peppers grow, and picked them, feeling kindof neutral. Now that we've picked some, even more are growing, and I'm feeling much more optimistic.

The two plants that have been fabulous already are a yellow tomato plant (which is rumored to be lower in acid, and they resemble cherry tomatoes), and one called Health Kick - these are oblong orange-red tomatoes. I have had my father test the flavor of the tomatoes, as he's got discerning taste in tomatoes, and they've all been fine or better. I also have 3 small jars of sauce already. There are a whole bunch of the Health Kick ones about to be fully ripe, as well!

I had planned ahead & got canning jars at a garage sale to benefit a training center for young adults with special needs - got a great deal & supported a great cause. I used some Walmart store credits (as I've talked about other places in this Blog) to get lids and rims and pectin for my canning. I also gathered some coupons & checked out the italian spices - some were on clearance plus the coupon for dried spices, so I've been able to really stretch it.

My plan is to make plenty of sauce and jam and applesauce for my family for winter and enough to use as thank you gifts, teacher gifts, baskets of a variety of things for birthdays . . . all without adding more sugar than necessary, and using the freshest possibly fruits . . . it's fun.

If you've noticed I haven't been adding as many freebies lately, please note that I'm in the middle of canning season & that I hope it will pick up and get organized when school starts up again. If you notice links not working or areas I need to update, please leave me a comment anywhere on this Blog & I'll update it (and probably not take up space on the Blog by posting your comment unless you'd like me to, so don't be offended if I don't approve it - let me know if you'd like it posted, though).

Stay cool, if at all possible!!