Summer Watering Tips: Getting to the Root of the Problem
I’ve already begun anxiously watching the weather forecasts, as I’m nervous of the possibility of another stretch of weather with little or no rain. If this happens, everything changes for the gardeners at Minnetrista. We go from making improvements in the landscape to the basics of trying to keep plants alive. We can maintain the gardens with little rain, but it takes planning and thoughtfulness on how we water. For your own garden at home, keep the following tips in mind to help take some of the guess work out of watering plants correctly.
Two Accessories to Add to Your Canning Toolbox
Have you ever noticed when you start investing in a hobby that there is any number of nifty gadgets and tools to choose from? Canning is just the same. And, just like other hobby accessories, some of the tools are much more helpful that others! Are you having trouble figuring out which canning accessories are worth the money? Here is an overview of two tools Jarden released in the past few years that aren’t included in the basic Ball® Utensil Set but have made canning a little bit easier for me!
How to Date a Ball Jar
No, not at a movie on Saturday night. Not that kind of date. Instead, I mean how do you tell how old your Ball jar is? I’m the current contact for information about historical Ball jars on the Ball Corporation web site. One of the most common emails I receive comes with a description of a jar—e.g., Blue pint Perfect Mason with the number 5 on the bottom—and the question, “How old is my jar?”
Wizard of Oz Hat
If you look very, very closely when Dorothy encounters the Munchkins in The Wizard of Oz, you’ll see a green straw bonnet on one of the Munchkin ladies. Well, maybe you won’t. I haven’t seen it yet, but I’m sure that the next time I watch the movie (or the next or the next) that I will see it. It’s a lovely hat—light green with a wide brim and tall crown, trimmed with striped satin ribbon, a spray of flowers, and a plume. The lady who wore it must have been quite important and prominent in Munchkinland.
Four Types of Ferns You Can Add To Your Garden
Did you know that some types of ferns can be red, purple, or even copper in color? Or that some ferns spread rapidly, some gradually, and some don’t spread at all?
I’ve learned this and more about ferns recently. That’s one of the great things about being a Minnetrista gardener—I learn new things every day.
Jump Start Your Canning Season With Some Tasty Freezer Jam!
People often ask me, “What is the easiest way to preserve my foods?” Or, “If I want to get into food preservation, what recipe should I begin with?” Honestly, most canning is pretty simple once you begin, but if you just want to dip your toes in the water—so to speak—then freezer jam is the best way to get started. For those of you who are seasoned veterans of food preservation, you know that freezer jam is a quick, delicious way to preserve your bounty and try new recipes!
The Wives
Earlier, I introduced the Ball brothers, their parents, and their sisters. This month, we’ll meet the wives.
William was the first brother to marry. His bride, Emma Wood, was born in Massachusetts, graduated from Concord Ladies Seminary, and then moved to Buffalo, New York, where she met William. In Muncie, she was active with the county humane society and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her obituary noted that “She was one of those kindly, generous people who derived their chief satisfaction in helping others….”
Port Glass Company of Muncie
Natural gas was discovered in East Central Indiana in the late 1800s. Availability of cheap, abundant fuel attracted more than 150 glass manufacturers to this area. The gas soon dwindled to almost nothing and most of the manufacturers sold out, moved, or closed.
Caution: Some plants to avoid buying for your home garden
It’s time to stop by your favorite garden retailers to pick up some plants for your summer garden. Before doing so, here are some plants you should avoid or at least use with caution.
Pros and Cons of the Ball FreshTECH Automatic Jam and Jelly Maker
Check out the video below of the Ball FreshTECH Automatic Jam and Jelly Maker whipping up some pepper jelly! So, I forgot to put my hair up in this for this demonstation. OOPS! Let’s use that as a teaching moment—you should always put long hair up when you are canning. Learn from my forgetfulness!
The Ball Brothers Go into Business
As the five Ball brothers—Lucius L., William C., Edmund B., Frank C., and George A.—grew to adulthood in Canandaigua, New York, their uncle George Harvey Ball watched for business opportunities in nearby Buffalo. Uncle George, brother of Lucius Styles Ball, was the pastor of a Baptist church in Buffalo. In 1878, the first venture that he recommended was making wooden containers to pack fish in. Frank and Edmund were the principles in this endeavor, although it ended when their entire product was destroyed in a fire. The brothers returned to Canandaigua.
Mason Jars are Fruit Jars, but not all Fruit Jars are Mason Jars
Several years ago, Minnetrista’s former curator of business and industrial history, Dick Cole, asked me if I knew what made a Mason jar a Mason jar. He was thoroughly surprised when I was able to tell him, because he knew that my main interest in our large collection of jars is the stories that they can tell. I am not an expert on closures and markings, although I’ve certainly learned a lot in my time at Minnetrista. I also know that I can call on Dick to answer my questions, because he loves to share his knowledge of fruit jars. Anyway, read on and you’ll know why Mason jars are fruit jars, but not all fruit jars are Mason jars.
Garden Update: April Flowers in Oakhurst
Hi, my name is Clair Burt, and I’m a full-time gardener at Minnetrista. I’m in charge of the ornamental gardens, including the Rose Garden and Culinary Herb Garden, among others. Right now I’m really enjoying the spring weather and all of the beautiful flowers that are blooming. I even like coming to Minnetrista on my days off to enjoy the blooms and snap some pictures.
Three Steps To Get Prepared for the Canning Season
Canning season is fast approaching! Have you looked in your canned good cabinet, your cellar, or on your shelves to find those few remaining jars from last year? Perhaps you’ve noticed a dwindling number of total jars. If you are anything like me, and I suspect many of you are, you may have some pickles, tomatoes, jellies, and applesauce left. You may also notice that your shelf of empty jars has fewer occupants than in the past. You might be wondering if it’s time to get a new canning rack or other basic supplies. It is time to think about what foods you want to can this year and a good time check all of your supplies to make sure you are ready for the canning season.
Before there were Ball jars there were five Ball brothers
If it wasn’t for the Ball fruit jar, Minnetrista wouldn’t exist. That humble jar, so important to food preservation, generated an industry that put Muncie on the map and provided the Ball family with the wherewithal to give back to their community, particularly in the form of Ball Memorial Hospital, Ball State University and, later, Minnetrista.
The Discovery of Natural Gas Changes the Face of East Central Indiana
Before the discovery of the Trenton Gas Field in the late 19th century, East Central Indiana was almost exclusively an agricultural area. The Gas Boom became a defining moment in the development of the region. Natural gas had an enormous impact on the history, culture, and life of the region and produced a period of economic growth, marked by a dramatic surge in the number of energy-dependent industries that took advantage of the relatively cheap source of fuel to build new factories in the area. Principal among these industries was the manufacturing of glass.
Garden Update: Minnetrista in March
March is a busy month. Apple trees are getting their annual maintenance pruning, branches are being cut for a project on the riverbank, and early spring flowers are blooming!
Ashley Introduces Herself and The Food Preservation Blog
Welcome to my blog! “Who are you?” you may ask? Well, I’m Ashley Lichtenbarger, Minnetrista’s education manager, here to bring canning tips and techniques straight to you. I am also a crafter, canner, walker, and owner of an adorable dog. She’s a Heinz 57—a new breed I came up with just for her! Now, as much as I’d love this blog to be all about my dog, we have other things to talk about…
Eat What’s in Season. Cook What’s in Season
Want to eat what’s in season? Although summer is winding down, there will still be some produce that will probably be overflowing at your local market! The August in-season picks are:
Fix your drought-stressed lawn
The summer of 2012 has been one brutal summer for you lawn. The combination of high temperatures and a lack of rainfall has done its number on many lawns across the Central Indiana area. With the return of rain, we have seen many lawns green up quickly, however, others are still showing signs of distress from the drought.