Your garden is flourishing. You’ve eaten your fill of fresh, homegrown, fruits and veggies. You’ve even played ding dong ditch on your neighbors with your extra zucchini (we know you had extras!). Now it’s time to begin preserving your garden bounty to ensure that your hard work playing farmer continues to benefit you through the winter.
For some backyard gardeners preserving food can feel like an overwhelming next step – a venture into an otherworld of new. We’re here to help walk you through the methods available, their varying levels of difficulty, and which method is best for each fruit and veggie type that grows well here in Colorado Springs. Lettuce get started!
Be sure to read all the way to the bottom for our shoppable list of food preservation supplies and favorite recipes to try!
Table of Contents
TL;DR: How can I store produce for a long time?
Answer:
Methods Of Preserving Food From Your Colorado Springs Garden
Dry Storage Or Natural State Preserving
Some fruits and vegetables can simply be stored in a cool, dry, and dark location for 4-6 months. This method works well for apples, pumpkins, garlic, onion, and potatoes. Don’t wash your fruits and vegetables before placing them in storage. The soil will help them remain fresh longer.
Some plants have been social distancing before it became cool, like potatoes! Keep those spuds away from apples and onions. Storing them in close proximity causes potatoes to rot more quickly.
Great For Preserving
- Apples
- Pumpkins
- Garlic
- Onions
- Potatoes
Supplies Needed
- Mesh Bags
- Boxes
- Baskets
NOTE: Paper bags also work well!
Freezing
Freezing your garden haul is widely considered to be one of the easiest methods of preservation. It’s recommended that most vegetables are blanched (boiled for 2-3 minutes) to help retain flavor and nutritional value prior to freezing. LINK TO HOW TO BLANCH VEGGIES.
Freezing in a single layer on baking trays, then transferring to storage containers is a fantastic way to ensure that you don’t end up with a solid frozen block. Unless you enjoy veggie popsicles. No judgement (just kidding, judgement). Herbs can be chopped and frozen into ice cubes to thaw and use later. Consider grating zucchini into pre-portioned amounts for use in recipes.
The length of time that food is safe while stored frozen can vary. To learn more about safely eating frozen fruits and vegetables click HERE (Food Storage for Safety and Quality (uga.edu))
Great For Preserving
- Most fruits
- Most vegetables
NOTE: Not suitable for potatoes or cabbage as they retain a high water content
Supplies Needed
- Plastic Bags
- Containers
NOTE: Consider purchasing a vacuum sealer as being airtight prevents freezer burn (like a warm, plastic hug)
Drying Or Dehydrating
Remember when you were a kid and your parents brought out this monstrosity of a machine and stuck fresh fruit in there and came out with things like banana chips or crunchy little apple crisps? Who knew that in adulthood we’d want to do it too?
With this method of preservation food is dried, often in a food dehydrator (recommended for the best results), but it can also be done using low temperatures in your oven or air fryer, or outdoors if conditions are hot and dry enough.
Some items rehydrate well (especially in soups) like beans, tomatoes, onions, and carrots while others are a great crunchy snack in their dried state, such as berries (or add them to your cereal or oatmeal!). Dehydrated onions and garlic can be made into powder and used for seasoning. Fruit can even be pureed and dehydrated into fruit leather. YUM! Food should be washed and sliced thinly for the best results.
If you’re into backpacking trips but still love your gourmet meals, you can dehydrate your own food to pack a nutritious dinner from your homegrown veggies. Some of those premade dehydrated packs can get expensive too, so you might as well make it yourself if you have extra from your harvest!
Great For Preserving
- Onions
- Herbs
- Berries
- Carrots
- Apples
- Peaches
- Chili Peppers
NOTE: Not suitable for potatoes or cabbage as they retain a high water content
Supplies Needed
- Storage Bags
- Jars
- Vacuum Seal Bags
NOTE: If using jars or bags, an oxygen absorber should be placed inside.
Canning
Canning is the method of preservation that has the longest shelf life, but it also scares some people away! It is really quite simple; choose your recipe, sterilize your jars, fill your cans, and seal using a water bath or pressure cooker. Ensure you get a proper seal by checking the top of the lid – if it pops when depressed, the jar did not properly seal, and the contents will not last.
There are many methods and recipes available to help in your canning adventures! Methods of canning include:
- Canning:
- This method requires blanching, or cooking your food, then canning. It’s great for jalapeños, stewed tomatoes, corn relish, apple sauce, and green beans.
- Pickling:
- When pickling you’ll add vinegar (white or apple cider vinegar) to your jars along with your veggie. Flavoring agents like dill, garlic, peppercorn, or mustard seed are often added as well. Pickling is great for cucumbers, green beans, corn relish, and jalapeños. We’ve even heard of pickled watermelon rinds! You might want to try it for yourself before taking that one and running with it though.
- Making Jam (Jamming?!):
- Making jam involves cooking fruit with sugar until it reaches a thickened state. Some recipes include pectin and an acid (like lemon or lime) as a setting agent. Some great items to make jam from include: berries, stone fruits like peaches (millions of peaches), apples, and even jalapeños (don’t knock the sweet heat until you’ve tried it!).
- Fermenting:
- Fermentation promotes the growth of healthy bacteria and gives a burst of flavor! Through the process you will add salt to a jar or crock with filtered water and your food of choice. Cabbage can be fermented into sauerkraut or kimchi. Cauliflower, garlic, beets, green beans, and carrots are also great candidates for fermenting.
Great For Preserving
- Onions
- Tomatoes
- Berries
- Carrots
- Apples
- Peaches
- Pumpkins
- Radishes
- Cabbage
- Green Beans
Supplies Needed
- Jars
- Lids
- Seals
- Canning Tongs
- Large Pot (hot water bath)
- Jar Funnel
NOTE: Check the quality of your jars each year before canning and ensure that your rings (while reusable) are not rusted. Seals are not reusable.
Supplies For Preserving Food From Your Garden
When it comes to preserving the delicious bounty from your garden, having the right supplies is essential. Along with your basic canning jars, lids, and rings, consider investing in a good-quality food dehydrator. Dehydrators are great for drying herbs, fruits, and vegetables, which can be stored for months and used in various recipes.
For those who prefer a hands-off approach, a vacuum sealer can be a game-changer. It helps keep your preserved food fresh by removing air from the packaging, reducing the risk of freezer burn and spoilage. Don’t forget to stock up on high-quality canning salt and lemon juice, which are crucial for safe and effective preservation.
Our Favorite Recipes From Preserved Food
Now that you’ve got your garden goodies preserved, it’s time to get cooking! One of our favorite recipes is a tangy tomato basil sauce made from home-canned tomatoes. Just sauté some garlic and onions, add your tomatoes, and let it simmer with fresh basil. It’s perfect over pasta or as a base for a homemade pizza. Another go-to is a delightful jar of pickled cucumbers. Simply slice your cucumbers, add a splash of vinegar, and a blend of dill and garlic. They make a crunchy, flavorful addition to any sandwich or salad.
BONUS Download
Download our FREE easy any-veg pickling recipe PLUS printable jar labels to add a personal touch to your preserved creations and keep track of what’s in each jar!
Preserve Your Harvest With Confidence
Preserving the fruits of your garden not only extends the enjoyment of your harvest but also adds a touch of homemade goodness to your meals throughout the year. Whether you’re freezing, dehydrating, pickling, canning, or opting for dry storage, the right techniques and supplies make all the difference.
For a helpful reference, check out our handy guide, which provides suggestions on which herbs, fruits, and vegetables are best suited for each preservation method. This guide will help you make the most of your garden’s bounty, ensuring that you savor every last bit of your hard work. Happy preserving, and here’s to many delicious meals from your garden all year long!
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