Deanna from Little Mountain Ranch 
In This Post Why I Love Pantry Freezer Meals Beef Stew Slow-Cooked Pork Roast Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Chili Mac (Sauce Only) Chicken & Rice Casserole Hearty Vegetable Lentil Soup Three-Bean Enchilada Bake Final Thoughts Why I Love Pantry Freezer Meals If there’s one thing that has saved me over and over—especially during the busy … Read more
In This Post Why I Can My Own Soups A Note on Canning Safety: What Not to Include Recipe 1: Creamy Potato Leek Soup Base Recipe 2: Hearty Chicken Taco Soup Recipe 3: Versatile Vegetable Soup How to Pressure Can Your Soups Printable Checklist Having a shelf full of home-canned soup is one of the … Read more
In This Post Why Can Your Own Beans? The Importance of Soaking and Rinsing Method 1: Parboiling (Best for Large/Firm Beans) Method 2: Soak & Heat (Best for Smaller/Softer Beans) A Look at Pressure Canners The Canning Process: Step by Step Troubleshooting: Flat Sour and Starchy Jars Printable Checklist Today, we are tackling one of … Read more
Over the last few months, we’ve spent so much time together in the garden—growing, harvesting, and preserving all of that wonderful food. We recently did a tour of the pantry where it’s all stored, and now comes the best part: using it.
In This Post Why I Adore Beets (and How to Store Them) A Quick Note on Prepping Beets Recipe 1: My Favourite Beet Borscht Recipe 2: Zesty Ginger Beet Relish (Canning) Recipe 3: Harvard Beets (Canning) Recipe 4: Simple Roasted Beets with Balsamic & Honey Printable Checklist I am on a mission to convert as … Read more
Welcome back to the garden! We’ve reached my very favourite time of year—early to mid-July. After a long, cool spring, everything is finally starting to take off. The weeds are mostly managed, the big overwhelming harvests haven’t started yet, and the first flowers are beginning to bloom. It’s the garden’s sweet spot, and I’m so happy to take you on a full tour today.
This time of year, as the garden starts to wind down, our work shifts from harvesting outside to preserving inside. It’s a busy season, but one of my favorites, because it’s all about stocking our pantry for the quiet months ahead. For the first time in over 15 years, I didn’t raise our own meat
If you’ve ever grown onions, you know the harvest is one of the most rewarding moments of the season. But the real magic comes afterward: when you cure, store, and preserve them properly, your onions can last for months and provide homegrown flavour all winter long.
Squash is one of the most generous crops in the garden, but knowing when to harvest makes all the difference in how long it will last and how good it will taste. Whether you’re picking tender summer squash for tonight’s dinner or waiting on winter squash to fully mature for the pantry, the right timing … Read more
When I first envisioned building a forest garden on our property, I pictured a space that could mostly care for itself—fruit trees, berries, herbs, and medicinal plants all layered together like a natural ecosystem. And while that vision has come to life in many ways, I’m now several years in, and it’s time to take a closer look at what’s working… and what needs to change.
