Bees: Nectar flow changes

The scotch bloom plants are almost done blooming, they have seed pods out now and their nectar flow is drying up. But the next big invasive species is starting to bloom: blackberries!

At least with blackberries, we can get berries to eat and cook with. Time to inventory my canning supplies.

More Jam!

I've been on a crusade to use all the berries I have in my freezers, so I made 2 batches of jam this weekend. The first was from only blueberries, the second was from blueberries with some raspberries thrown in. Both turned out tasty. I used Pomona Pectin again, that stuff is great. One box makes several batches, so far, I've made 4 batches on the same box. I probably have enough left for at least another 2-3.

Berries and more Berries!

2 weekends ago my son and I picked 9 lbs of great tasting raspberries. I froze them all for the time being. Price was $1.35/lbs, a good price. It is fun picking raspberries, nice treats at hand and very few thorns to tear your hands up.

Yesterday I came across a street vendor selling huge marionberries from her farm. $20 for a flat! Not a bad price at all, and it helps a local farmer. The berries taste great.

So since my freezer was filled, I went ahead and canned 12 pints of berries. 10 of marionberries and 2 of raspberries in pint jars. I mixed them with 1 tbsp of lemon juice and a very light sugar syrup (7 cups of water, 1 cup of sugar). 15 minutes in the hot water bath canner and they are done...

Now they need to cool down and seal. Here is the recipe I used: Home Canned Berries


I still need to order some Tattler re-usable canning lids. Check here for info on them: