We kept our old fridge in the basement just for produce. I finished last year's carrots last month, and they were still perfect. I also don't like canned carrots, so I was thrilled to discover they could last in the fridge by doing nothing but chopping the greens and tossing in a grocery bag.

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Oh how awesome! I so wish I had room for another fridge! Great tip, thank you! ❤️

@SandraMalone-pq4mn

11 ай бұрын

That's exactly how I store mine. Still working on last year's harvest of 170 pounds. I haven't had to purchase a carrot in a couple of decades. Store cabbages and leeks the same way, although I wrap my cabbages in saran wrap thoroughly.

@SacBuster

22 күн бұрын

​@@SandraMalone-pq4mnAND4 AND Z9P Pp

Just a suggestion for your mice problem in the garage that I learned from my dear dad: If you have a radio playing music at all times 24/7/365 you won’t have a rodent problem. They don’t like the noise and thus won’t cone to live there. After my dad passed I turned off the radio and rodents came back. The radio went back on again and has been on ever since.

Hi …I noticed the fly sticky trap hanging by your sink,……I worked in a restaurant and we of coarse had flys with a open patio in back by the kitchen…..the health dept made us take them down because they give off a toxic chemical…..they said. So we had to put up plastic bags with some water and some copper pennies to keep flys away….we also took plastic containers and put some raw hamburger or sweet fruit and poked some holes for the flys to get in it…they’d drown in the soapy water in the bottom…..then we just threw the recycled container away and made fresh every couple of days…..gnats we’re really bad around the outside bar because of pop and beer spills……the old trap for that is a dish of red wine or vinegar with a little soap in it….and bleach in sink traps because they reproduce quickly in them

I love Thomas the Tank Engine in the background. My boys loved those toys growing up.

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

😂 there are sooo many Thomas toys around here! Both my kids love it!

@beekind1940

11 ай бұрын

Our daughter grew up watching all the Thomas the Tank Engine videos, and also had the track and trains! Such healthy creative play.

My grandmother grew up in the countryside of the state of Virgi,. She and my great-grandmother used to make pig feet in the oven. It's awesome to see how others on the other side of the globe in a different culture make them. And it's an honor to have you visit our channel, we can discuss more about our experiences in harvesting and building farms.

animals are usually deterred by onions and garlic ime. you could store some onions with the garlic too to help

For salad I used the paper towel method and a variation of it so 2 comments: - I spin the salad to make sure it as dry as possible before I roll it out - I used both paper towels and fabric kitchen towel. The fabric works great too!!! If you need to keep it even longer you can roll it up and put it in a freezer bag, that works too

I use a muslin lettuce bag. Wash it- leave it moist -dampen your bag and put in the fridge. Don’t let your bag dry out.

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Great tip! Thank you ☺️

For lettuce I personally wash and wrap it in clean dish cloths before putting it in an air-tight container. So its basically the same idea just costs less since I'm using reusable items.

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Great tip! Thanks for sharing!

So, would you show how you process your flowers? This is new to me, but I'm very interested. Thank you.

50-100 mg of zinc in the Doreen beans keeps them lovely and green

Whew, lots of work. Great job. Thank you Val C

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Thanks so much Val, blessings 🤍

I don't like canned carrots either what I started doing was a little bit of beef bouillon and dried sweet onions they come out absolutely delicious

Hey Kelsey. First time visitor here - I enjoy the more informal "being in the kitchen together" kinda feeling so thanks for sharing :) Best wishes

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Welcome! Thanks for joining me here ☺️

@naominagata1127

11 ай бұрын

@@seedandsparrowhomestead Thank you :) I will be coming back for sure!

I wash my lettuce in ice cold water. Spin it dryThen I put it in a plastic container with kitchen paper at the bottom seal it up and put it in the fridge. Works a treat.

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

How long do you find it lasts for? I'd love to not use paper towels!

@karenfisher7753

11 ай бұрын

@@seedandsparrowhomestead you could use a clean reusable cloth. It lasts at least a couple of weeks but we eat our way through it.

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

@@karenfisher7753 Perfect, thank you!!

I love the idea of steam blanching!!! Saves more nutrients

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Absolutely! Thanks for watching, blessings 🤍

What a lot of work, just to coordinate all that preserving. I really loved your video! This is my first year with a freeze dryer and a canner. I don’t preserve as much as you, but I do feel very “accomplished”, and blessed, for everything I have preserved. I must be doing something right as I am going to pick up a second shelving unit tomorrow! 😂

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

I chuckled at the “second shelving unit” that is so relatable! You’re doing fantastic! No matter how much or little, it’s an accomplishment and one to feel proud of. What a gift. Thanks for watching, blessings 🤍

Congratulations on your harvest! Great video as always and really helpful, thank you :)

Thank you for sharing all of your food preservation methods. I really enjoyed this video. We have a freeze dryer and love it.

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Absolutely! Thanks for watching ☺️ The freeze dryer is such a blessing!

I flash freeze celery, chopped onions and chopped peppers and keep in large bags then just grab out what I. need for recipes. Great video❤

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Perfect for grab and go ingredients! Make preparing meals a breeze, thanks for watching and sharing ☺️❤️

I love the snow princess variety! My daughter picked them to grow this year and the heads are kind of tiny but very pretty!

WOW, so much great information! Thank you! 😊

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

I’m so glad it was helpful! Thank you ☺️

So greatful for you and your family, what a wonderful video

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Aww thank you! I’m grateful you’re here, blessings to you and yours! ❤️❤️❤️

I am so looking forward to harvesting season. We are still a month to go yet for most things. Really enjoyed this video. Thanks so much for sharing 🇨🇦🌷

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

I’m so glad you enjoyed! It will be here so soon! Blessings 🤍

Wow. Amazing!

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

☺️🤍

You do such beautiful work. I really enjoy your videos.

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

That means so much to me, thank you!! ☺️

Just found your channel and absolutely love it.❤❤❤❤

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Thank you and Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here ☺️🤍

steam blanching so smart. Never would have thought of that. thank you. I love freezer meals

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching 🤍

The flowers look amazing and I was very surprised to hear you say that the scent was still strong. What an amazing tool the freeze dryer is. I am very excited to give mine a try very soon. The beets were so pretty. A lot was accomplished from your harvest Kelsey. Well done!

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

That freeze dryer is such a blessing! I was surprised when I opened the door and was hit with the scents of those flowers! It was powerful. Thank you friend, Blessings!

I make bags of onion carrots and celery and freeze I think it’s called mirepoix for soups stews chilli and pasta as I always over purchase.

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Oh awesome! Thats a great idea, thank you!

Great video, love it. Blessings.

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Thank you ☺️ 🤍

Beautiful preserves😊

@seedandsparrowhomestead

10 ай бұрын

Thank you ☺️

Another good one to encourage me in my current preserving state which looks much like yours minus the freeze drying, i do not have one yet. I'd be interested in hearing more about your diet and what type of things you are eating. If thats not a direction you want to go i understand. Many blessings!

I cannot wait to get a freeze dryer. So many possibilities. The flowers especially are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing!

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

It’s such a great investment and I’m so thankful we were able to purchase one! Thank you for watching! ❤️❤️❤️

@galeabbs2

11 ай бұрын

😊

Ive put it into a half gallon jar used my foid saver ti remive oxygen it lasts a ling time

Try putting your carrots in a simple vinegar pickle and water bath can. I use 1 cup of vinegar for every 2 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt. When I need to use them I drain them, rinse them, and add them to what ever meal I'm preparing.

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Oh interesting! I might do that and just make them and store In The fridge to try! Thank you!

Another way to preserve your lettuce is to pull the entire plant, including the root ball and store it in the fridge in a bowl with water on the bottom to keep the roots alive.

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Oh good idea!!!

Oh the beets looks amazing, I might try this recipe

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

There are so yummy! Great to quick whip up some red beet eggs!

@arobichaud40

11 ай бұрын

@@seedandsparrowhomestead what are red beet eggs 🤔

I preserved my lettuce exactly as you are doing with no problems, although, it only lasted a month at best because we ate it all. I also do this for my arugula and kale. I just ate the last of my kale a couple of days ago and it was harvested from the fall/winter garden back in March.

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Awesome! Glad to hear it will keep for at least that long! Thank you ☺️

You're the busy little ant at SandS Homestead gathering food for the winter for your family like the Proverbs 31 woman, spouse and mother that you are! The freeze dried flowers are so beautiful. I wish I could justify the cost of a freeze dryer, but I can't just for the 2 of us! I'm so glad you shared a way to preserve celery, I've got some growing and wasn't sure what i should do to preserve it. Does it come back or does it have to be planted every year? Kelsey, have you checked the cost of 1/2 gallon jars through Azure? Y'all are living a very blessed life Kelsey!! ♥

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Awww thank you friend! The freeze dryer was a hefty investment, I can understand the wisdom in refraining from purchasing one if it won’t be used a great deal. It’s been a great tool for us here. Celery is an annual and must be started again each spring. I like to start it indoors for an early harvest. I’ll look into Azure, hadn’t thought of that! Thank you again. ☺️🤍🤍🤍

You’re an inspiration! Thank you for sharing all of your tips and tricks. I’m new to pressure canning, and also feeling nervous and out of my depth. So thank your for all the info. I’m interested in the salves and soaps you’ll be making with your flowers. Will that possibly be in a future video? 😊

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Thank you Erin! You can do it! I have an in depth look at pressure canning a ways back If that helps! I know it’s intimidating at first. Once you get started and learn to trust yourself and trust the canner it’s a breeze. You bet! I’ll have lots of salves and soaps making happening closer to the fall when the garden settles down ☺️

@erinr86

11 ай бұрын

@@seedandsparrowhomestead thank you! Looking forward to more videos! I enjoy your channel and Jessica’s from Three Rivers Homestead. Happy canning!

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

@@erinr86 Oh she is a fav of mine too!

That is how I always do my lettuce and it lasts for quite some time.

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Oh good to know! Thank you ❤️

What types of projects do you use your dried flowers for, specifically the petunias? I know many flowers have medicinal properties, but I'm new to all of this and would love to hear how you use them!

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Not all petunias are edible but this variety is, I’m going to attempt a simple syrup for baking and drinks! The other flowers I’ll use in teas, salves and soaps!

What do you do with the dried petunias and yarrow flowers? I assumed when you picked them, they were destined for decorating a salad but no - you freeze dried them and I'm so curious. How do you clean your nut bags after using them? I suppose washing machine but just wondered. Thank you so much for your videos - such inspiration!

Amen

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

❤️❤️❤️

When it comes to the lettuce, can't you just freeze dry it since you have one of those (I don't) or dehydrate the leaves and turn it into a powder? You can put it with some of the other vegetables that you powder and get the nutrients from it and not just giving it to the pigs. I did that one year when I had a bunch. Also, when it comes to the carrots, what is the texture like after freezing them? I froze some once and then ended up throwing them away. They weren't home grown, just baby carrots from the store that I got a deal on and just put in freezer in the bag. I did see that you blanched and then put into an ice bath, which I didn't do. How do you use the frozen carrots?

What do you use the flowers for?

I need your help 😂my garden is hopeless I'm in eastern pa lol

I love these videos! Can I ask why you choose to blanch things like carrots/celery then freeze vs just flash freezing? I’m just curious if your way is better!

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Thank you! You will always get a better result by blanching certain produce. It stops a certain enzyme that would degrade flavor, nutrients and color over time. Hope this helps!

Wash and Break up the lettuce and put it in glass jars. It will last a long time

I just found your channel. It's lovely. I have learned a few new things! So why can't you eat the lettuce ? Just curious : )

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Thank you so much ☺️ A few videos back I shared some health struggles and an anti inflammatory diet I’m on to start addressing the issues 🤍

Hi Kelsey🙂 Isn’t it satisfying? I really like the celery thing. I buy it and I end up tossing it out because I don’t use it fast enough. I think I will get a bunch from the farmers market and preserve it for myself. It just adds so much flavour to everything. I do the grated carrot thing and it’s just the best. I am always tossing handfuls of them into whatever suits my fancy. I am a trash cook, so I just walk around here tossing stuff into a pot and living on it for a couple of days, and sometimes freezing it for when I’m too lazy even for a trash pot. Lol. What do you do with the petunias?

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

I love tossing random stuff together! It’s the best and sometimes creates the most delicious things ☺️ I’m going to attempt a simple syrup with the petunias!

we do not peal our carrots, do you know of a quick way to clean each carrot?

Hi

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

❤️❤️❤️

Nice video. Regarding the petunias. Do you use them for tea? And how would you describe the flavor? You youse any flower bed variety of petunias for tea? Thank you for all the hard work.

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Thank you! You have to research which varieties are edible not all are! These are cosmic cherry petunias from baker creek and are edible. I haven’t tried yet, but Ive been told when made into a simple syrup it resembles a cherry flavor!☺️

@veronicabell1738

11 ай бұрын

Thank you very much for the information. I have petunias in my front yard every year. I will try the Baker Creek variety.

Great video, have you thought about dry canning your carrots?

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Thank you ☺️ I’m a by the book canner and I don’t believe that’s a tested way of canning, so I’d personally not try that method. I appreciate the suggestion!

What do you make out of your flowers?

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Teas, salves, and for soaps ☺️

Hi, Kelsey 🙂Is your freeze dryer Harvest Right?

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Yes it is! We love it 😊

What projects do you do with the freeze-dried flowers?

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Teas, salves, soaps and maybe some tinctures ☺️

@languagelynnie

11 ай бұрын

@@seedandsparrowhomestead OOOHHHH!! Now you're giving me ideas...

What do you do with the flowers?

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Teas, tincture, salves, soaps and beauty products!

Have you thought about getting an electric pressure canner?

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

A bit but I haven't done enough research yet. They are still fairly new and I'd like to see some 3rd party testing done. If I were to buy one it would be the Presto, but so far I don't think any 3rd party testing results have been released. I believe Oregon State was running tests!

Is there a way to preserve green beans so they keep there crispness? I never was a fan of canned green beans, I have never caned veg, so I am assuming they come out like a regular canned veg. I need a little education!😊

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Not a safe way to can that I know of. Sometimes variety can play a part and freshness. I don’t think they come out super mushy but you might like the results of blanched and frozen better!

@Julie-ci9ve

11 ай бұрын

Blanch and freeze will retain the flavor and crunch. They honestly taste like they were just picked.

@desireemarana4997

11 ай бұрын

@@Julie-ci9ve so the trick is to blanch huh? Never ever would I have thought to do that! Thanks so much!!😁👍🏻 PS: is that why she balances the celery??!

@Julie-ci9ve

11 ай бұрын

Blanching stops the enzyme action that makes veggies lose their texture and flavor. The only veggies I don't blanch before freezing are onions and peppers. It is definitely worth the extra step!

Grow for yourself and give the overflow to the community for free. The Lord looks after us, there is no reason to save food. Only when you don't trust you will go for this kind of actions. ❤

Psalm 34:8

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

🤍🤍🤍

why are you freeze drying petunias?

How will you use the calendula?

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

Salves and soaps!

@katieauth8979

11 ай бұрын

@@seedandsparrowhomestead thanks for replying. Do you harvest them at a certain time? Ie. As soon as they open vs when they are almost spent ?

@seedandsparrowhomestead

11 ай бұрын

@@katieauth8979 Sure thing! The blossoms should be picked at peak and will have a sticky resin on them! Your fingers will actually stick together a bit. I stay away from picking buds and spent blooms. Hope this helps!