i am the grasshopper

[nicolena]

how are you all getting ready for winter? i have done nothing (except worry a little). we're still kinda between homes, so we've put off getting a second fridge/freezer (tho dh now achknowledges that it'll save $). i need to call my raw milk source and see if she milks during winter. what am i gonna do without my beet kvass? (Can you freeze it? maybe beets grow all winter....)

anyway, tell me what you're doing/preparing (so i can stress that i haven't even thought of that yet....). are you going to add butter oil or anything like that this winter?

what grows in the winter in the northeast besides kale and winter squash? should i store potatoes and onions in my basement? is there really just nothing to worry about?

tia

[mamajessica]

If you can afford to buy organic produce at the market year round, then you are probably ok
I froze and canned a few things that are really expensive in the winter, but I will still buy some fresh for nutrients sake.

[Hibou]

I made a couple of quarts of salt-brine pickles because the little pickling cucs aren't available in the winter (although you could use pretty much any kind). I want to make kimchi yet. Maybe today. I am thinking about getting a second freezer for meat. My folks will butcher in a month or two, when the weather turns colder. Thinking about more seasonal eating options this year, rather than so much grocery store produce. Unfortunately, I'm the only one who will eat winter squash and root veggies. :

[mrsbernstein]

I am sooooo excited! For my 25th Birthday on Sunday, my Mom gave me the money to purchase a Pressure Canner!

I can't wait to begin canning soups and meats other things in preparation for winter!

Mrs B

[gardenmommy]

Well, I have two freezers (both are about 13 cu. ft., so not all *that* big). In one, I have mostly fruits, veggies, and bread. I froze blueberries, peaches, sweet corn, green/yellow beans, and jam this summer. I also have the sprouted grain breads/buns/tortillas/english muffins in there (I buy a case through my co-op). In the other freezer, I have mostly beef. I'll get a 1/4 when we butcher again, and I've ordered turkeys and chickens from the Amish farmer. And any overflow from the other freezer goes in the second one.

I'm in the middle of canning tomatoes. I did 15 quarts over the weekend, and will probably do about 30 more in the next week or so. I'm going to make salsa with my tomatoes, too.

After tomatoes, I'll do applesauce, apple butter, and apple pie filling (can also be used for apple crisp).

I'm really ready to be done putting stuff up. I have lots of other projects on hold, so I'd like to get on with it, lol!

Oh yeah, I've been freezing broccoli all summer, too.

[Leilalu]

you guys are amazing

I too, am a little worried. I am not too prepared, I don't can stuff. I did buy a bunch of bulk beans from Azure to make winter soups. I suppose i am gonna buy stuff at the store more. I am kind of sad that this is my last 9 weeks with the csa for this year. I do want to go get a lot of strawberries and freeze for winter. I suppose i could just buy the rest.
So, I can still get my raw milk all winter right?