How to Prepare For Canning Season
- Brianne Thomas
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
As we eagerly anticipate a bountiful spring and summer, it's essential to take advantage of the slower-paced winter days by preparing for the upcoming canning season. One crucial task during this time is conducting an inventory of your canning pantry. This practice ensures you are ready for a productive and organized canning season ahead.
I know most of us are dealing with this historic winter storm, and spring seems like light-years away. I get it. But there are things to be done, friend, and now is the time! Have you checked your food supplies lately? Did you join in the Three Rivers Pantry Challenge, and now your shelves are looking a little empty? Then you definitely need to do a quick inventory and start planning for spring. Don’t worry! I’m here to help, and I have lots of resources and printables to help guide you if you’re new to home food preservation. So, let’s get started!
What Is Canning Season?
If you're a newbie to home food preservation, you may be asking yourself, “What is Canning Season anyway?” Canning season typically refers to the time of year when fruits and vegetables are at their peak ripeness, making them perfect for preserving. This period generally occurs during late spring, summer, and early fall. By canning during these months, you capture the fresh flavors of the season to enjoy throughout the year.
Benefits of Preparing for Canning Season
Even before I ventured into home canning, conducting a pantry inventory each February was a standard practice. This inventory provides several benefits:
Awareness of Stock: Knowing what you have on hand prevents unnecessary purchases and helps identify what needs replenishing.
Reduction of Waste: Use up items that are nearing expiration or have been pushed to the back of the pantry.
Preference Evaluation: Determine which items your family enjoys the most and which ones can be reduced or eliminated.
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What Are Trusted Sources for Home Canning & Food Preservation
Home canning requires precision and safety. Use recipes tested and approved by the United States Department of Agriculture. The National Center for Home Food Preservation offers invaluable guides, especially for beginners. Ball Mason Jars has instructions and delicious recipes available on their website.
Where To Store Home-Canned Food
Preparation is key to a successful canning season. The first thing you want to evaluate is your storage conditions. Where are you planning to store your preserved food? You want to ensure it's a cool, dark place. This can be a cellar, a basement, or a closet pantry.
How to Inventory Home-Canned Food
Once you know where you will be storing your home-canned food, you’ll want to do an inventory of your current food. You can grab our free printable Home Canning Inventory Sheet or a simple notebook to keep track. If you're new to home canning, take a look at your current supply of canned food. What is it that you typically buy from the grocery store and want to replace with home canning? Vegetables, beans, fruit, jams, jellies, soups, and even meat can be home canned! If you’re a pro at home canning, take a look at what’s left on your shelves. Is there something you enjoyed but simply forgot about? Is there anything you didn’t like and could gift to someone else? Is there something you ran out of quickly and want to have more of this time around?
How to Check Home-Canned Food For Spoilage
When reviewing your inventory, pay careful attention to each jar. Check that all lids are properly sealed. If a seal is broken, discard the jar. Examine the color and smell of the contents. Discard any jars that appear spoiled. Follow the US Food and Drug Administration guidelines for discarding spoiled products correctly.
Other Areas to Prepare for Canning Season
Besides food inventory, winter is an excellent time to evaluate your canning supplies. Ensure you have all necessary equipment, such as jars, lids, and canning tools. For more information on preparing your supplies, you can read more at Penn State Extension. If you’re interested in home food preservation, you’re likely interested in gardening or shopping at local farms and farmers' markets. Winter is a great time to plan your spring garden; purchase needed supplies, start your seeds indoors, and check in with local farms about their opening date for the season. Need help planning your garden? Keep track of expenses, inventory, layout, succession planting, and more with our 20-Page Printable Garden Planner!
Whether you're new to home canning or a seasoned pro, I hope these tips prove helpful as you embark on your canning journey this season.
Home Canning & Food Preservation Resources
Visit Our Online Store for Printable Resources
Home Canning Inventory Sheet (FREE!)
Interested In Home Freeze-Drying?
Check out my review of the Harvest Right Home Freeze Dryer!
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