Between earwigs and wildlife this year, the only plants producing are the ones in my porch boxes. The cucumbers are gherkins so I’ve been picking them small so I can make them into sweet pickles. I have 3 jars put up already and enough cucumbers to make #4 this weekend. I just wish I had a small deep pot to can in, it’s such a waste to pull out my big canner. But until I can find one that at least fits pint jars I have to keep using the big pot.

I planted more peas this week and plan to do some more fall planting this weekend. I’m about 2 weeks behind but better late than never.

Edit: I forgot to mention, the leaves in the photo are just for our bunny’s breakfast. Although I will soon be drying some raspberry and blackberry leaves for her to enjoy in the winter.

  • theatomictruth@lemmy.worldEnglish
    4·
    4 months ago

    Are those raspberry leaves? What do you use them for? I add them to my pickles because I don’t grow grape leaves.

    • ChaosCoatiOPEnglish
      5·
      4 months ago

      They are raspberry leaves, but I was just gathering them for our pet rabbit’s breakfast. I’ve never canned with them. Are the grape leaves to keep the pickles crisp? I add black tea leaves

      • theatomictruth@lemmy.worldEnglish
        4·
        4 months ago

        It seems to work. I’ve never done a side by side but my pickles are pretty consistently good.

        Never heard of using horseradish, I should try that next time

        • Krauerking@lemy.lolEnglish
          3·
          4 months ago

          Dang I’m an outsider just looking in and learning a lot about pickling today.

          I am completely flabbergasted that there is a tannin requirement for pickling and that leaves are the answer.

          So cool.

  • Krauerking@lemy.lolEnglish
    3·
    4 months ago

    My peas all died except for like 2 vines so I had a crop of 4 sweet peas so far… Rough heat.

    But looks like a good enough spread to be proud of to me.

    • ChaosCoatiOPEnglish
      1·
      4 months ago

      Thanks! Our peas did better than I was expecting, but I think it’s because they’re behind the netting that goes around our in-ground garden, so they ended up shaded from the sun.