In the garden, the fall peas are poking through the soil.  It is so much fun to see another round of vegetables coming up.  We are harvesting green beans right now along with the last of the cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower.  We ate our first tomato and zucchini is beginning to inundate us.  Blackberries are just ripening and the children have picked three times this week.  We got 4 gallon bags frozen and 14.5 pints of blackberry jam with honey made. 

Are total preserved this year is 27% of our annual food needs and we have 53% of our food on hand.  The difference is the carry over from one year to the next.  Someday it is my hope to have 2 years of food on hand and be at 200%.  I have no idea though where I would store it all.

This is a perfect reason why I wish I had two years worth – I can’t find peaches.  Apparently, our local peaches were frozen in a late frost and they are few and far between this year.  One place was embarrassed to tell me that they are selling for $2.50 per pound.  Even though I said I was willing to pay that, they doubt they will have enough to sell for canning.  She so kindly told me not to can them this year and can twice as many next year.  Well, that will do me no good this year.  I am still on the hunt.

Apples and pears are in huge abundance this year and I should be trying to can as many of them as possible.  I think it would be impossible to just can two years worth at once, but I would like to increase my reserves from 25% to 50% this year.  I will need to consolidate some shelves in order to make that happen and have the room that I would need.  I have read lots of blogs and postings that people have had a difficult gardening year.  I certainly want to protect my family from a year where we are not able to preserve enough to see us through.

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Posted by Vickie

I think that it is great that you are able to preserve so much. I am working toward this. Right now we have probably about 1/3 of what we will need of vegetables.
I wish you blessings on your garden.

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Posted by Handmaiden

It is so satisfying and comforting to have the food your family needs on hand. One year, with the help of my children, we bottled 1,000 jars of fruit and vegetables, and juices and jams and jellies. 21 years ago when my husband died, and 9 of my 10 children were at home, we had no money and no income but we did have food in the rootcellar and the pantry. You are so wise to work toward and 2year storage plan. Many blessing to you and your family.

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