Have you wondered how to sell vegetables at a farmers’ market? If you are an avid gardener or have a homestead, you may have considered turning your hobby into a business. There is an increased focus on locally produced goods. Plus, more consumers want to support small businesses and growers. That’s why there is no better time to turn your hobby into a money-making venture! If you are looking to sell vegetables at a farmers’ market, here’s what you need to know. What is a Farmers’ Market? A farmers’ market is a place where farmers and other food producers sell their products directly to customers. Consumer interest in buying fresh local food has seen a spike since the pandemic. So, farmers’ markets have been important tools for reducing food insecurity over the past 15 years. No matter where you are based, you are sure to find a farmer’s market close by where you can sell your produce. Sell Vegetables at a Farmers' Market (and Other Items, Too!) When it comes to … [Read more...] about Sell Vegetables at a Farmers’ Market
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Easy Canning Recipes for Beginners
Here are three easy canning recipes for beginners. These recipes are from my late friend Antoinette Jucha, a Penn State Master Canner. Canning is a great way to preserve the bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables from your summer garden. These easy canning recipes are also a great way to make lots of easy and delicious foods for eating throughout the year! If you have never canned before, you might want to read my Water Bath Canning For Beginners story before you try canning one of these recipes. Included in this story are links to canning supplies on Amazon. Home Garden and Homestead receives a small commission (at no cost to you) for the sales we generate. Thank you for supporting this website! Easy Canning Recipes for Beginners #1 BERRY ICE CREAM TOPPING Is there anything as wonderful as fresh berries served over ice cream? I don’t think so. But freshly canned berries served over ice cream—eaten in the fall and winter—is also wonderful. Ingredients 2 ½ pints … [Read more...] about Easy Canning Recipes for Beginners
How to Grow Tropical Fruits in Containers
It's easy to grow tropical fruits in containers. Way easier than you think. If you live in a climate where temperatures dip below freezing during the winter months, growing tropical fruit in containers probably sounds like a fantasy. But garden experts say virtually anyone can do it. “If you want to grow tropical fruits, I have good news for you,” said Byron Martin, co-owner of Logee’s Tropical Plants. “You can grow tropical fruits in containers in most climates." According to Martin, all you have to do is follow these three tips. Tips to Grow Tropical Fruit in Containers The first tip is to choose the right plant varieties. The key is to choose dwarf varieties of plants that have been bred to produce fruit on smaller plants. Varieties such as Changshou Kumquat and Super Dwarf Cavendish Banana are perfect for growing in pots or containers. Tip number two, according to Byron Martin, is to move your potted tropical plants as the seasons change. "To grow tropical fruits … [Read more...] about How to Grow Tropical Fruits in Containers
Water Bath Canning for Beginners
Water bath canning for beginners is growing in popularity. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people have discovered (or rediscovered) backyard gardening. The result is more gardeners growing more fruits and vegetables. With a bounty of new homegrown produce, these new gardeners now want to know how to preserve their harvests. Preserving fresh fruits and vegetables is commonly known as “canning.” Most people do their canning in glass jars, such as the canning jars from companies such as Ball and Mason. The most familiar type of canning is what is known as a water bath canning. Water bath canning for beginners starts with cooking the fruits or vegetables according to USDA directions. The put the cooked produce in canning jars and process it in a water bath. It sounds a bit complicated, but it really isn’t at all. When I was growing up, the produce from the garden was harvested. Then my mother and grandmother spent days cutting up the fruits and vegetables. Next, the … [Read more...] about Water Bath Canning for Beginners
Top Fruit Trees for Backyard Orchards
Plant a few top fruit trees for backyard orchards on your property, and your taste buds will thank you. There is nothing quite like fruit trees in the landscape to delight the eyes and nose with springtime blossoms. And there's nothing a wonderful as biting into freshly picked homegrown apple or peach. That's why we've chosen the top fruit trees for backyard orchards that will grow almost anywhere. Selecting the right kind of fruit tree to grow in a landscape comes down to two main factors: the varieties of trees that grow well in your area and your own personal taste. According to Ed Laivo, fruit tree specialist for Natural Hills Nursery, the top fruit trees described below have proven to be dependable growers in the widest range of climates and are better than others when it comes to consistent fruit production and flavor of the fruit. Here are Laivo’s top recommendations for backyard fruit trees that will produce bushels of delicious fruit, year after year. Top Fruit … [Read more...] about Top Fruit Trees for Backyard Orchards
