Q and A: fruit flies and canning with dehydrated powder
Fruit flies
There are always fruit flies swarming around my compost. Is this a problem? I can't see how to avoid it, given that there is often a layer of fresh scraps on top. I...
Q and A: Ball canning lids, pruning apple trees with fire blight, wine yeast,...
Ball canning lids
I was reading on the internet where Ball has changed their procedures on their new canning lids. It seems that you no longer simmer the lids. To do so, now often causes...
Q and A: picking green beans and feeding bad food to chickens
Picking green beans
When picking beans, do you pick them with the stem attached or with the stem removed? I know when cleaning them I take them off. I just don't want to hurt my...
Q and A: velvet beans and tomato cages
Velvet beans
Will velvet beans cross with Louisiana Purple Pod and Rattlesnake pole (green) beans?
Name withheld
Velvet beans are Mucuna pruriens where Louisiana Purple Pods are Phaseolus vulgaris, or common bean like the Rattlesnake bean. So...
Q and A: Pickled beets, Canning blue cheese, and Canning horseradish
Pickled beets
Yesterday I made canned pickled beets. This is the first time I have ever canned and I am paranoid about botulism! Should I worry about this? I boiled the jars for 10 minutes...