Preserving the Harvest

Practical ways to store and enjoy the abundance from your greenhouse and garden long after the growing season. Discover traditional and modern food preservation methods such as fermenting, freezing, drying, and canning fresh vegetables, herbs, and fruits. These guides help greenhouse gardeners reduce waste, extend the life of their harvest, and keep homegrown food on the table year-round. Learn simple techniques for turning seasonal garden abundance into nourishing pantry staples.

salting and sugaring preservation techniques with flowers, garlic, and lemon
TomatoSeeds

The Art of Seed Saving

August 12, 2025

Discover seed saving techniques to preserve greenhouse-grown heirlooms and open-pollinated plants, ensuring stronger harvests season after season.

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Pickled Beets and Fig Jam Make Festive Holiday Gifts

November 25, 2024

When the fig trees started producing in our Growing Domes this summer, I rushed to dry or freeze as much as possible. I knew there would be a jam recipe this fall. It just so happened, that the green chiles were ready to harvest at the same time I found this recipe for a Serrano…

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Preserving the Harvest: Home Canning, It’s Simple, You CAN Do It!

November 18, 2024

Ready to embark on a culinary adventure? Let’s dive into the world of home canning, where you can transform fresh produce into delicious, long-lasting treats. Canning is a method of food preservation where food is processed in sealed containers to extend shelf life. Those containers can be glass jars or metal cans. For the home…

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Preserving the Harvest: Dehydrating, Dry It Out

October 23, 2024

Drying foods is one of the oldest forms of food preservation. Using the sun or the heat from a fire were the methods used by ancient peoples. Drying removes the moisture from fruits and vegetables, preventing the growth of bacteria or mold. As with many types of food preservation, the recommendations are often changing and…

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Preserving the Harvest: Pickling and Fermentation

September 24, 2024

Pickling includes both preserving food by submerging in vinegar or by fermentation in a brine. Discover the differences and similarities between these preservation methods.

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cubes of frozen green chiles in a decorative yellow bowl on a white tabletop

Preserving the Harvest: Freezing Food for Nutrition and Convenience

August 22, 2024

Freezing food is one of the easiest and most common forms of food preservation. It works because the cold temperatures inhibit the growth of microorganisms.  Historically, if you lived in a cold climate this form of preservation by freezing had been used for centuries. The quick-freezing methods we use today, are credited to a Canadian…

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Preserving the Harvest: In Oil, Salting, or Sugaring

July 30, 2024

In this article, we’ll look at extending the shelf-life of food by salting, sugaring, and storing in oil. In the modern kitchen, these techniques alone are not safe for long-term storage. As you will see, they are best used when combined with another food preservation method, such as drying, refrigerating, or freezing.  Sugars and salts…

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Preserving the Harvest: Cold Storage and The Root Cellar

June 26, 2024

From drying to freezing there are many food preservation methods to make the harvest last longer. Today, we're highlighting the cold storage method and exploring the idea of building a root cellar.

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How to Make Guava Jam with Homegrown Pink Guavas

November 29, 2023

Discover the art of making delicious Guava Jam using homegrown pink guavas with our easy-to-follow recipe. Ideal for Growing Dome enthusiasts, this guide from Growing Spaces showcases how to harvest and transform pink guavas into a sweet, slightly musky jam with a hint of vanilla or tangy lime. Learn the differences between guava jam and jelly, and explore versatile ways to enjoy this tropical delight, from morning toast to guava margaritas. Our comprehensive instructions cover everything from preparing guavas to water canning, ensuring a perfect batch every time. Plus, get insights on the longevity of homemade guava jam and tips for growing guavas successfully. Perfect for both beginners and seasoned canners, this article is your ultimate guide to creating a tropical treat in any climate.

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Food Sharing in Our Community

September 28, 2010

The 33′ Employee Dome at Growing Spaces and my personal 26′ Dome are in full harvest mode now and it’s a little tough for even the most enthusiastic veggie lover to consume as much produce as is ready to eat! For weeks now Richard Miller and I have had a little “co-op” going on, he…

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