Even a modest backyard garden can result in an overabundance of
homegrown fruits and vegetables, leading to wasted food. You
don't have to stuff yourself full of excess produce, give it all
away or let it rot - just can it. Home canning is a great way to
preserve your garden harvest. Fresher and tastier than store-
bought canned goods, home-canned food saves money and reduces
packaging waste, too. Food can be preserved in glass mason jars
using either hot water bath or pressure canner methods. Heating
the jars kills microorganisms that cause spoilage, and as the
jars cool, air pressure seals the lids tightly. When stored in a
dark, cool, dry location, sealed home-canned goods have a shelf
life of about one year. Canning your produce is an ideal way to
maintain a more local diet year-round, rather than relying on
store-bought goods outside the growing season. You can preserve
virtually anything you grow in your garden with home canning.
Get creative and add herbs, spices and other items to your
fruits and veget