Potatoes Galore! Canning & Freezing

This year our potatoes did not do very well. In fact, we have yet to grow potatoes successfully.  We've tried in the ground, in barrels and this year in raised beds. The plants died off, but when I dug them up, there were not very many and most were very small.  My sweet potatoes did not come up at all this year. Open to any advice on growing potatoes!

So, what to do with all these potatoes given the smaller ones do not store in the basement well.  I picked out a dozen bigger russets for bakers, but as for the others, it was time to get creative.

I picked out all the bigger white potatoes and canned them following the Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving.  I like skins on my potatoes, but all canning recipes call for removing them.  I did some research and found that testing has never been done on canned skin on potatoes, so the idea that bacteria on the skins from being in the dirt can cause botulism is pure conjecture.  I dug a little deeper and found many food bloggers that have canned with skins on for years and never had any problems.  So I went for it. Cleaned well, cut into cubes and canned per directions with the skin on.  Can't wait to try them!

(Russet and Yukon Gold potatoes do not can well, too much starch.)

Now for all the little guys.  I picked out all the pretty ones that I would roast, halved them, partially cooked them by boiling for 5 minutes, drained, dunked them in an ice bath and used my Food Saver to seal them in bags to freeze.  Next time I want to roast potatoes, I can thaw and roast, taking less time as they are already half cooked.  You can also spread them on a pan and freeze individually then bag them, but having so few it didn't seem worth it.

Now for all the ugly little potatoes.  I discovered last year that mashed potatoes freeze well because I always make way too much.  So that's what I did with the rest.  I made mashed potatoes, bagged them and sealed with the Food Saver. If you haven't tried making you mashed with evaporated milk, it makes them very rich.

FOOD SAVER TIP: I had several bags that seemed sealed when I put them in the freezer, but when I pulled them out, they were not.  I always seal a second time right next to the first seal, doubling my chances it is actually sealed.

Freezing poblano peppers

I don't know about you, but I seem to have a ton of peppers all ready at one time and can't eat them all! Here is a way to freeze them properly to be used at a later date.

Rinse thoroughly.

WEAR YOUR GLOVES!!! Your skin can become burned if you don't. Cut tops to reveal seeds inside. Remove all seeds and cut seeds off the stem top. Save these for your chickens if you have them. They love peppers/seeds!

Place the tops back on the peppers and lay them out on a pan.

Place pan in the freezer for 1-2 hours, until frozen solid.

Remove from freezer and place in a sealed bag and label. Peppers will last in the freezer 4-5 months. Be careful to put them where they will not have anything laying on top of them, so they won't crack or split.

When you are ready to use them to make chili rellenos or roasted chilis of some sort, move them to the refrigerator to thaw completely before starting your favorite recipe.

WELCOME!

My name is Gayle Sullard McDow and I am a teacher, mother, wife and gardener. I lived in Overland Park, KS, a suburb of Kansas City most of my life. I raised my children there, but was COMPLETELY unsuccessful raising plants. I had big beautiful trees which meant not enough light. I tried planting some vegetables and grew flowers in pots, but found very little success. Three years ago I moved back to my hometown to a three acre home in the country. Finally, I would be able to grow something! My husband and I are on our second big garden and I have plants and flowers everywhere. I've learned a lot the last couple years. Friends have suggested I start a blog to show all the things I usually put on Facebook. So here we are. I hope someone gains some knowledge or enjoys the ideas I throw out. I'll add some past projects I posted on FB as well as documenting new projects ongoing. Thanks for checking out Lone Duck Farm!

Pallet Planter

I wanted something new for the yard; something colorful.  I saw this idea on Facebook and thought I would give it a try.  I used 4 pallets the same size.  I screwed them together, removed some boards to allow for planting and lined the cut outs using heavy weed barrier stapled to make a hammock to hold my dirt.  I used moisture control potting soil thinking they would dry out easily.  That was a good call.  Even with moisture control, the planter needs watering daily.  I ran a soaker hose around the top to make watering easier.

Two months later, it's flourishing, even producing cucumbers on the back side.

People have asked if it is filled with dirt.  I did not fill it as that would require a higher level of reinforcement to handle all that weight.  Someone suggested composting inside it.  This could work if you hinged the back side so you could get in and turn the compost.