By NTFR Staff

Every summer it seems to happen. The garden suddenly produces more tomatoes, cucumbers and green beans than anyone could possibly eat, and before long the question comes up: “Maybe I should learn to can.”

For many families, canning is a tradition that has been passed down for generations. For others, it’s a new hobby that offers the satisfaction of stocking pantry shelves with homegrown food. Either way, getting started can feel overwhelming. Pressure canners, boiling water baths, jars, lids, processing times and safety recommendations are enough to make anyone wonder where to begin.

The good news is that home canning isn’t difficult once you understand the basics.

The first thing to know is that canning is simply the process of preserving food in sealed jars by heating them to destroy microorganisms and create a vacuum seal. There are only two USDA- approved methods for home canning: boiling water bath canning and pressure canning. Which one you use depends entirely on what you’re preserving.

A boiling water bath is exactly what it sounds like. Filled jars are completely submerged in boiling water and processed for a specific amount of time. Because boiling water only reaches 212 degrees Fahrenheit at sea level, this method is safe only for foods that are naturally high in acid or have enough added acid to prevent dangerous bacteria from growing.

That makes water bath canning perfect for jams, jellies, fruit preserves, pickles, chutneys, fruit butters and many tomato products that have the proper amount of bottled lemon

juice or citric acid added according to a tested recipe.

Pressure canning works differently. By trapping steam inside a sealed canner, the temperature climbs well above the boiling point of water, reaching approximately 240 degrees. That higher temperature is necessary to destroy Clostridium botulinum spores, which can survive ordinary boiling and produce

the toxin that causes botulism.

Because of that, low-acid foods such as green beans, corn, carrots, potatoes, meats, poultry, seafood and soups must be pressure canned. Using a boiling water bath for these foods simply isn’t safe, regardless of how long the jars are boiled.

So which method is best for someone just getting started?

For most beginners, water

bath canning is the easiest place to begin. The equipment is less expensive, the process is more straightforward and recipes like strawberry jam or dill pickles are forgiving enough to build confidence. Many people who enjoy preserving fruit eventually decide to purchase a pressure canner once they want to preserve vegetables or homemade stock.

That doesn’t mean pressure canning should be intimidating. Modern pressure canners include multiple built-in safety features and are far different from the old stories many people heard about exploding canners decades ago. Like any

kitchen tool, they’re safe when used according to the manufacturer’s directions and with tested recipes.

No matter which method you choose, one rule never changes: always use recipes that have been scientifically tested. While

family recipes may taste wonderful when served fresh, they aren’t always safe for canning. Changing ingredient amounts, thickening soups with flour, adding extra vegetables or reducing vinegar can all affect the safety of the finished product. The USDA and the National Center for Home Food Preservation remain the gold standards for home canning recipes and processing recommendations.

It’s also important to remember that today’s recommendations aren’t necessarily the same ones your grandparents followed. Research has improved over the years, and food safety recommendations have changed with it. Methods like open-kettle canning, oven canning and sealing jars by simply turning them upside down are no longer considered safe for shelf-stable foods.

If you’ve never canned before,

don’t feel like you have to preserve an entire garden your first weekend. Start with one recipe. Learn how to prepare the jars, measure headspace, remove air bubbles and process them correctly. Once you hear that

satisfying “ping” as the lids seal, you’ll understand why so many people find canning rewarding.

There’s something special about opening a jar of peaches in January or serving homemade salsa long after the tomatoes are

gone. With a little knowledge, the right equipment and a commitment to following tested recipes, anyone can enjoy the satisfaction of preserving the harvest safely for months to come.

By NTFR Staff

If you’ve spent any time on social media this summer, you’ve probably seen the debate. Some gardeners insist you should water only before sunrise. Others swear by evening watering. A few even claim watering during the heat of the day will burn your plants.

With temperatures climbing well into the 90s – and often higher – in Oklahoma and North Texas, it’s easy to second-guess yourself when your tomato plants start drooping by lunchtime. The good news is that while timing does matter, it’s only one part of keeping a healthy garden. Knowing how and when to water can make a

bigger difference than simply watching the clock.

For most gardens, early morning is considered the best time to water. Between about 5 and 9 a.m., temperatures are cooler, winds are usually lighter, and less water is lost to evaporation. Plants have time to absorb moisture before the hottest part of the day, helping them better withstand the afternoon heat. Any water that splashes onto the leaves also has time to dry, reducing the chance of fungal diseases.

Of course, not everyone has the luxury of watering before work or before the sun comes up. If evening is the only time

that fits your schedule, don’t worry. A garden that receives a thorough watering in the evening is far better off than one left dry while waiting for the “perfect” time.

If you water late in the day, try to direct the water at the soil instead of spraying the foliage. Wet leaves that stay damp overnight can encourage certain plant diseases, especially when humidity is high.

What about watering in the middle of the day? Contrary to a long-standing gardening myth, water droplets generally do not act like tiny magnifying glasses that scorch leaves. Studies have shown this simply isn’t a signifi

cant concern in home gardens. The real drawback is efficiency. During the hottest part of the day, more water evaporates before it ever reaches the root zone. Still, if a plant is severely wilted and the soil is dry, don’t wait until evening. Giving it water right away is better than allowing it to continue suffering from heat and drought stress.

One mistake many gardeners make is watering on a schedule instead of checking the soil. Plants can wilt temporarily during extreme afternoon heat, even when they have plenty of moisture underground.

Before reaching for the hose, push your finger a couple of

inches into the soil. If it still feels cool and moist, your plants probably don’t need water yet. If it’s dry, it’s time to give them a drink.

Just as important as when you water is how you water. A slow, deep soaking encourages roots to grow farther into the soil, where moisture remains longer. Frequent light watering keeps roots close to the surface, making plants more vulnerable during hot weather.

Soaker hoses and drip irrigation systems are excellent choices because they deliver water directly to the roots while wasting very little through evaporation.

Mulch can also become one of your best gardening tools during the summer. A two- to three- inch layer of shredded leaves, straw, untreated grass clippings, or wood mulch helps keep the soil cooler, slows evaporation, and reduces weed growth that competes for moisture. In many gardens, adding mulch can no

ticeably reduce how often you need to water.

Every garden is a little different. Soil type, plant varieties, sunlight, wind, and rainfall all affect how quickly moisture disappears. Sandy soils dry out faster than heavy clay soils, and containers often need water much more frequently than plants growing in the ground.

The best approach is to pay attention to your garden rather than following a strict calendar. Check the soil regularly, water deeply when needed, and don’t panic if your vegetables look a little tired during the hottest part of the afternoon.

Many will perk right back up once temperatures begin to fall.

In the end, consistency matters more than perfection. Whether you water before sunrise or after supper, giving your plants the moisture they need – and delivering it deeply to the roots – will help your garden stay healthier through even the toughest days of summer.

By Annette Bridges

It was in September 2022 when I wrote a column titled “Merry Maui Cows,” featuring a photograph of me with a group of Maui cows grazing in a seaside pasture.

That photo was taken in the very same spot as this one, captured a few weeks ago in March 2026.

Standing there again, looking out over that same green hillside rolling toward the ocean, I couldn’t help but smile.

I’m quite certain those cows were just as merry then as they are now—and I realized, so am I.

My husband and I had returned to Maui to celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary.

Forty-five years. It feels almost impossible to say out loud without wondering where in the world the time has gone.

It truly does seem to have flown by. And yet, when I stop and think about it, so much life has been lived in those years— joys, challenges, ordinary days, unforgettable moments.

The kind of life that shapes you.

This particular trip carried an extra layer of celebration for me.

Since that first “Merry Maui Cows” photo was taken, I’ve lost over fifty pounds.

I found myself happily shopping for new tropical clothes, smiling in dressing rooms, picking up sizes I hadn’t worn in years.

It was in September 2022 when I wrote a column titled “Merry Maui Cows,” featuring a photograph of me with a group of Maui cows grazing in a seaside pasture.

It was fun in a lighthearted

way—but also meaningful in a deeper one.

A reminder that change is still possible, even later in life.

And isn’t that part of what this season of life brings?

Birthdays and anniversaries begin to feel less like markers of time passing and more like invitations to reflect.

To look back. To take stock. To notice what has changed—and what has remained.

When I placed my new photo beside the one from 2022, I noticed the differences, of course. But what stood out most wasn’t what had changed.

It was what hadn’t. Still merry. Those two simple words felt like more than just an observation.

They felt like a quiet declaration.

Because being “still merry” after years have passed.

After life has unfolded in all its beauty and difficulty—really does say something.

It says we’ve held onto joy. It says we’ve chosen gratitude.

It says we’ve weathered what needed weathering and still found reasons to smile.

Life doesn’t stay the same. It isn’t meant to.

There are seasons of ease and seasons of challenge.

There are moments that take your breath away and moments that take your strength. But tucked within it all, there can still be something steady… a thread of merriness that we carry forward.

Not a loud, constant happiness.

Not a perfect, untouched life. Just… still merry.

And maybe that’s enough. In fact… maybe it’s everything.