Preserving the Harvest: One More Big Canning Session Before Winter

There’s something about this time of year that just feels like a deep breath. The garden is slowing down, the mornings are cooler, and the shelves in my pantry are filling up one last time before winter sets in. Around here, that means one final big canning session — the grand finale of harvest season.

This week, the kitchen’s been buzzing. Apples are sliced and simmering, filling the house with that warm, cinnamon-sweet smell that instantly makes me think of cozy evenings and homemade pies. I just finished another batch of tomato sauce, made from locally sourced tomatoes from a nearby farm — a little nod to community and supporting small growers even as our own garden winds down.

Out in the garden, we’re still slowly picking green beans and okra as they come in. I’ve been freezing small batches at a time — it’s not always a full harvest basket, but every handful adds up. Those little freezer bags are like hidden treasures waiting for a winter stew or a quick side dish when fresh veggies feel far away.

Next up on the list is dehydrating sweet potatoes and apples. There’s just something so satisfying about turning simple, humble foods into shelf-stable snacks. Plus, the kids love munching on dried apple chips while we work through our homeschool lessons — it’s the best kind of full-circle moment.

As the canning jars line up and the freezer fills, it’s a quiet reminder that all those early mornings and sweaty afternoons in the garden were worth it. We’re tucking away the taste of summer to carry us through the colder months — one jar, one bag, one batch at a time.

Homesteading isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up for the season you’re in, using what you have, and making the most of every little bit. Whether it’s apples from a local farm or okra from your own backyard, this is the heart of it — the gathering, the preserving, the preparing.

Here’s to one last big canning session before the calm of winter settles in.