The end of summer is a time we savor. As the light lingers and days slow, we can bask in the reward of flourish—a harvest we’ve worked toward all season long. Maybe it’s in the garden, where vines are bursting with fruit ripe for the picking. Or at the local farmer’s market, where baskets are brimming with colorful produce of all kinds. We find an abundance that’s worth holding on to. 

That’s where canning comes in. Jars full of pickles, sauces, and jams preserve the best flavors of the season, bottling up summer’s bounty to enjoy throughout the year. Regardless of your familiarity with the process, we’re here to help you get started—and turn it into a lasting tradition. 

---

Time-Honored Methods

Canning became popular during the 19th and 20th centuries, thanks to the emergence of Weck Jars, Mason Jars, and commercially sold equipment. During this time, large refrigerators weren’t as common in the home kitchen, so the practice helped extend the shelf life of basic foods and seasonal produce grown in the garden, too. Imagine, with canning, families could finally enjoy summer’s tomatoes in the middle of winter—and relive the memories preserved with each batch. Something that might not seem too far-fetched for us now was a marvel back then.  

While less essential for today’s average cook, canning has continued to capture the hearts of many, existing as a nostalgic hobby and a creative outlet with delicious results. Depending on what you are looking to preserve, there are two main canning methods to get familiar with: 

1. Water Bath Canning: Ideal for foods with high acidity, like relishes, peach jam, pickles, and barbecue sauce. Using a canning pot with a rack, this method involves submerging filled jars in boiling water to process and seal the contents. Results last six months to a year. 
2. Pressure Canning: Ideal for foods with low acidity, like applesauce, tomato sauce, and chicken stock. Using a sealed pressure canner, this method involves altering the atmospheric pressure to preserve the contents. Results last 1–3 years. 

With either option, be sure to refer to a recipe for accurate notes on processing, as well as how to sterilize and store. 

Make It Quick

Even without at-home canning equipment, you can still give yourself extra time to savor seasonal produce at its peak. Pickling involves preserving cucumbers or another vegetable in a vinegar brine (often water, vinegar, sugar, salt, and spices heated together on the stove). Tasty pickled snacks, like Jo’s Bread & Butter Pickles, are good for a week or two when stored properly. 

For an even simpler solution: freeze jams, sauces, and base ingredients to thaw later before mealtime. It varies, but often, foods like these can be stored in the freezer for a month or so. Look to the recipe itself (or an internet search) for added clarity and which signs of spoilage to watch out for. 

Better When Shared

Once you get the hang of canning, consider inviting family and friends to join in on the fun. You could have recipes pre-selected and labels printed—or see what others bring from their gardens and try something new together. Make a day out of it (like Jo and the kids did here), filling the kitchen with a taste of sweet summertime. 

Psst, if you’re anything like us, once you start jamming, saucing, and canning, you won’t want to stop. Which means you’ll likely have more jar-fulls than you know what to do with... The good news is that they make for great gifts for all sorts of occasions, like birthdays, housewarmings, and so on.

See How It’s Done 

Looking for even more inspiration and step-by-step guidance? Follow along with cookbook author and seventh-generation cattle rancher Elizabeth Poett in her Magnolia Workshop: Guide to Canning. There, she breaks down the canning process in a series of easy-to-follow videos.  This workshop also features her recipes for Dill Pickle Chips, Peach Jam, and other end-of-summer favorites. 

Whatever method you choose or recipe you pick—canning is a simple way to relive your family’s favorite tastes (and memories) for months to come. Make preservation a tradition you look forward to returning to, year after year… Starting with finding tried-and-true storage vessels and cooking essentials that are ready for the task.