Between earwigs and wildlife this year, the only plants producing are the ones in my porch boxes. The cucumbers are gherkins so I’ve been picking them small so I can make them into sweet pickles. I have 3 jars put up already and enough cucumbers to make #4 this weekend. I just wish I had a small deep pot to can in, it’s such a waste to pull out my big canner. But until I can find one that at least fits pint jars I have to keep using the big pot.
I planted more peas this week and plan to do some more fall planting this weekend. I’m about 2 weeks behind but better late than never.
Edit: I forgot to mention, the leaves in the photo are just for our bunny’s breakfast. Although I will soon be drying some raspberry and blackberry leaves for her to enjoy in the winter.
Are those raspberry leaves? What do you use them for? I add them to my pickles because I don’t grow grape leaves.
They are raspberry leaves, but I was just gathering them for our pet rabbit’s breakfast. I’ve never canned with them. Are the grape leaves to keep the pickles crisp? I add black tea leaves
Yup, same thing
Does that actually work? Never heard of using berry leaves for Tannins. Just Grape and Horseradish pretty much.
It seems to work. I’ve never done a side by side but my pickles are pretty consistently good.
Never heard of using horseradish, I should try that next time
Dang I'm an outsider just looking in and learning a lot about pickling today.
I am completely flabbergasted that there is a tannin requirement for pickling and that leaves are the answer.
So cool.