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Farm Kitchen:  Let The Jelly Makin Begin!!!  |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
 Posted - May 11 2011 : 08:35:12 AM
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Well, speaking of jelly, well, jam, I've been up to my elbows in strawberries and so I posted my jam results at the blog. Photo instructions for anybody who's never made strawberry jam too. Had some this morning on homemade toast! Yummy. I think I have a spiritual connection with strawberries. :-)
Mary Beth
www.OklahomaPastryCloth.com
www.Oklahomapastrycloth.com/blog
The Sovereign Lord is my strength - Habakkuk 3:19 |
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2011 : 10:09:01 AM
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Hey I need help with my strawberries, they just aren't thriving in fact, I have to fight tooth and nail to keep them hanging on to life by a string.......I don't know what I am doing wrong. *sigh*
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2011 : 12:27:35 PM
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Have you got them in good sun? Also, your dirt needs to drain really well. Ours is very sandy so it drains great but isn't very healthy, so we have added peat moss, manure and mulch. I mulch the rows of berries to hold moisture in and to keep the roots cool. Also, I use 13-13-13 fertilizer on them, side dressing about once a month if we've had a lot of rain. Since we haven't, I've only fertilized once. You have to be careful about fertilizer because you'll get tons of growth in the leaves but no effort toward berries. Finally, I move the shoots over to another row, put them under dirt until they root and then cut the vine part, starting new plants. Those plants then go through one growing season not allowed to have strawberries. In other words, all of the flowers get pinched off. The next year, the strawberries will be really nice and big. Hope that helps.
Mary Beth
www.OklahomaPastryCloth.com
www.Oklahomapastrycloth.com/blog
The Sovereign Lord is my strength - Habakkuk 3:19 |
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2011 : 1:19:23 PM
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They get plenty of sun, and our soil is all sand as well (we live in Kansas prairie lol). I have a feeling it may be the wind beating them up really bad. They haven't been fertilized though maybe that's what they need. We don't get rain much (again kansas prairie, not much rain around here, usually drought). I think the roots may not be very cool though. I did add straw a while back though. But, they always seem to need so much more water! I think I need to get a soaker hose, cause I can't even miss one day of watering, if I miss even one day then they look horrid and that's what has killed some of them, just literally only missing one day of water! Maybe I need manurer as well.......hmmm.
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2011 : 1:51:28 PM
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Heather, we put soaker hoses snaking between each row and then covered those with mulch, putting the mulch up close to the plants. That holds the water down and helps protect the plants against the wind (we ARE Oklahoma, ya know - "where the wind comes sweeping down the plain"! - singing here) Adding manure and peat moss helps too because it makes a more loamy soil. You can work that in between the rows before putting in mulch. When we just tried watering with a hose, our plants did not do well. We water at night and actually have a timer on the whole setup that goes off at 11 pm and waters until 2 am unless, like today, we get rain. Weeding is a pain because it has to be done by hand. That's just the nature of the strawberry bed.
Mary Beth
www.OklahomaPastryCloth.com
www.Oklahomapastrycloth.com/blog
The Sovereign Lord is my strength - Habakkuk 3:19 |
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2011 : 2:12:46 PM
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lol I don't have any weeds thankfully. Just the pain of watering. I think I have to invest in soaker hose! UHG! We are 15 minutes from the OK boarder. lol haha The hose watering doesn't even hardly work some days cause I get more wet then the plants (wind! lol haha). Especially at night, I try to water in the evenings, but as you know that's when the wind gets even stronger. But, yes we too got rain today, but can't count on rain very often. We don't get it much.
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
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tinaberry
True Blue Farmgirl
107 Posts
tina
satsuma
al
USA
107 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2011 : 2:15:17 PM
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I just finished with Blackberry jelly, 20 1/2 pints,are cooling on the counter. Yesterday I made 13 1/2 pints of plum.
My 4 year old granddaugher helped today. It was so much fun and as my mother would say "we were making memories". Although, I couldn't convince her it was jelly and not jello we were making, lol. |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2011 : 3:03:02 PM
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Heather, looks like you are directly north of us so yes, we are sisters-of-the-wind! :-) Sometimes I do get very tired of it.
Wow, Tina, you HAVE been busy. Our blackberries aren't quite ready yet. Can't wait.
Mary Beth
www.OklahomaPastryCloth.com
www.Oklahomapastrycloth.com/blog
The Sovereign Lord is my strength - Habakkuk 3:19 |
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SantaTeresita
True Blue Farmgirl
474 Posts
Teresita
Sacramento
CA
USA
474 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2011 : 4:30:52 PM
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Mary Beth,
That JAMMIN' on your blog with photos is just AWESOME. Thanks a bundle of hugs for sharing this with Farmgirls like me who really new to making jelly!
Thanks for the photos too on the water bath!
"Find your own Calcutta!" Mother Teresa
Farmgirl Sister #2503 |
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SantaTeresita
True Blue Farmgirl
474 Posts
Teresita
Sacramento
CA
USA
474 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2011 : 5:27:22 PM
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I've been getting really excited reading about jellies and jams and was wondering at the same time about substituting SPLENDA for the sugar.
Here's what I found out.....
If you are diabetic, sugar-restricted or have other reasons to avoid refined sugars, you can make sugar-free jam using natural sweeteners (honey, fruit juice, fruit juice concentrate, etc.) or Splenda or Stevia instead of sugar; but only if you use one of the following:
Sure Jell Fruit-Jell No-Sugar needed pectin (in the pink boxes),
Ball / Jarden No-Sugar needed pectin or
Pomona Universal Pectin.
Just thought to share this with any of my Farmgirl Sisters who might be on a sugar-restricted diet and want to keep the sugars as low as possible.
"Find your own Calcutta!" Mother Teresa
Farmgirl Sister #2503 |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2011 : 6:22:25 PM
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Teresita, thanks! And yep, one of those runs that I did was with the Ball No-Sugar needed pectin for my husband who has had to cut back on sugar. Thank you for listing those!
I sent you an email about the canner.
Mary Beth
www.OklahomaPastryCloth.com
www.Oklahomapastrycloth.com/blog
The Sovereign Lord is my strength - Habakkuk 3:19 |
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2011 : 7:37:48 PM
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Also if you do "butters" they naturally call for less sugar. The only thing with using splenda and such is you have to know biology a little bit, sugar is a preservative, and splenda is not. So you have to be careful in the canning and such to not get mold early on. I haven't tried the recipes yet but I do have a book from JoAnna Lund, that is for sugar free canning. Also I bought a canning book from Amazon that doesn't use splenda, but mainly uses apples/juice to sweeten with.
I also though want to say sugar is not a enemy of diabetics, it's over all carbs, most "butters" don't have that many carbs. Most are about 35 calories and 6 to 7 gms of carbs per a tablespoon, a tablespoon usually easily will spread over two slices of toast. And that's for ones "with" sugar and not cut back at all.
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
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SantaTeresita
True Blue Farmgirl
474 Posts
Teresita
Sacramento
CA
USA
474 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2011 : 08:13:43 AM
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Mary Beth,
Thanks for the email. I'll go check for that right now!
"Find your own Calcutta!" Mother Teresa
Farmgirl Sister #2503 |
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SantaTeresita
True Blue Farmgirl
474 Posts
Teresita
Sacramento
CA
USA
474 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2011 : 08:18:08 AM
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It's very inspiring here with all of the great Farmgirl posts and certainly has gotten me excited to finally start making some jelly and jam this summer.
So I thought I would go looking for beginner help as I am really a newbie to the Sweet World of making homemade jellies and jams.
Here's something I thought would be great for any other Farmgirls who are thinking about getting started this summertime too.....
http://www.freshpreserving.com/
"Find your own Calcutta!" Mother Teresa
Farmgirl Sister #2503 |
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SantaTeresita
True Blue Farmgirl
474 Posts
Teresita
Sacramento
CA
USA
474 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2011 : 08:25:16 AM
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As an honest-to-goodness NEWBIE to making jellies and jams, I thought I should tap into some tips so I don't get myself into all the little mistakes and not have my jellies and jams turn out right along with just what I might need in my summertime journey ahead into making jellies and jams.....
http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/1629/
I figured some of my Farmgirl Sisters might also enjoy the tips too!
"Find your own Calcutta!" Mother Teresa
Farmgirl Sister #2503 |
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forgetmenot
True Blue Farmgirl
3602 Posts
Judith
Nora Springs
IA
USA
3602 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2011 : 5:20:04 PM
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Teresita, I love Dave's Garden. I've even used it answering county extension questions, of course, with extension info to back up! Great info.
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the belief that something is more important than fear." Ambrose Red Moon |
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SantaTeresita
True Blue Farmgirl
474 Posts
Teresita
Sacramento
CA
USA
474 Posts |
Posted - May 13 2011 : 4:04:36 PM
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Thanks Judith
As you can see I'm getting very-very excited ...... or should I say "Berry-Berry Excited to make some jellies and jams.
I went off today to Ace Hardware and got my Home canner and also the materials for starting out with No-cook freezer jam as a good intro.
"Find your own Calcutta!" Mother Teresa
Farmgirl Sister #2503 |
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SantaTeresita
True Blue Farmgirl
474 Posts
Teresita
Sacramento
CA
USA
474 Posts |
Posted - May 13 2011 : 4:08:19 PM
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Yes, I am ready to start out with no-cook Freezer Jams first off.
Thought some of our Farmgirls here might enjoy this really easy and delightful video presentation from BALL on making your own No-Cook Freezer Jams.
http://www.freshpreserving.com/pages/step_by_step_video_demo/36.php
Being a NEWBIE to making jams and jellies..... I just love everything to be STEP-BY-STEP and of course all the great tips from our Farmgirls here too!
"Find your own Calcutta!" Mother Teresa
Farmgirl Sister #2503 |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - May 14 2011 : 05:14:43 AM
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WOO HOO! My favorite time of year to do my favorite activity in the kitchen!!!
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/ |
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forgetmenot
True Blue Farmgirl
3602 Posts
Judith
Nora Springs
IA
USA
3602 Posts |
Posted - May 14 2011 : 5:31:42 PM
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Just finished 10 4oz jars violet and 11 4oz jars dandeline jelly with 12 yr. old gdaughter doing most of the work. Yay, Elizabeth! Will post a pic tomorrow.
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the belief that something is more important than fear." Ambrose Red Moon |
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forgetmenot
True Blue Farmgirl
3602 Posts
Judith
Nora Springs
IA
USA
3602 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2011 : 07:12:48 AM
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Here is Elizabeth Iris's jelly. We had a great time together! Also, couldn't resist including a few of our Virginia Blue Bells. (The woods are full of them)(I wonder if they would make jelly...hmmm)
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the belief that something is more important than fear." Ambrose Red Moon |
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natesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1735 Posts
angela
martinsville
indiana
USA
1735 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2011 : 12:49:46 PM
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So beautiful!
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
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michgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
148 Posts
Mary
Glendale
WI
USA
148 Posts |
Posted - May 17 2011 : 06:00:41 AM
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| I made my first batch of violet jelly over the weekend. I am thrilled! This will definitely be a new annual tradition. Only thing is, it didn't gel perfectly. I think I might try the powdered pectin next time. I have so so luck with the liquid kind. |
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countrymommy85
True Blue Farmgirl
898 Posts
Krystle
MT
USA
898 Posts |
Posted - May 17 2011 : 07:52:04 AM
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I noticed a TON of violets in the backyard (okay, we haven't mowed our backyard yet because I have been picking dandelions for jelly!) Then yesterday I noticed the violets! I remembered seeing posts about violet jelly and my question is this: when you pick the violet and go to prepare them to steep do you use the whole head or do you just pick the petals off? I've never made Dandelion or Violet jelly so this is my first time.
Mary, I am going to try out liquid pectin for the first time ever this week with dandelion jelly. I'm a little nervous trying out something doubly new (pectin AND dandelion jelly) especially since I've always had great luck with regular pectin.
One last question: When is the best time to pick the violets? Morning, afternoon? Is there a best time to pick or can you pick them anytime? Thanks!
~We can make the world a better place for our kids and future generations by what we do today!~
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
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Farm Kitchen: Let The Jelly Makin Begin!!! |
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Let The Jelly Makin Begin!!!
