Homemade Strawberry Syrup

Besides the usual jam making , this year I decided to try something a little different with my strawberries. I made Strawberry Syrup and boy was it a hit with my kids! Who needs maple syrup when you can have homemade Strawberry Syrup! So far we have put syrup on pancakes, waffles and ice cream, I have also seen someone who will remain anonymous eat it plain. Can you imagine it on cheesecake, or crepes, or how about some homemade banana pancakes, you could even drizzle some on your dessert plate to fancy things up. Oh, I am making myself hungry.

The recipe I used come from Ball. I decided to make my syrup seedless and chunk free. But you can make yours how ever you like. That's the beauty of making it yourself.

5 cups crushed strawberries
11/2 cups water (divided)
1 strip of lemon peel
11/2 cups sugar
11/2 cups corn syrup
1 tbsp lemon juice

Combine strawberries, half of the water, and lemon peel. Heat to boiling and boil for 5 minutes.

Pour into a jelly strainer(I used cheese cloth) and let drip for 2 hours.

Combine the sugar and the remaining water and cook to 230°F. Add the strawberry juice and the corn syrup. Bring to boiling and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice. Fill hot jars leaving 1/4 inch space. Add lids and process in a water bath for 10 minutes.


Pictures to will be posted later today.

Strawberry Jam

It is Strawberry season here in the Tampa Bay area, and I have the privilege of living close to Plant City, the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World! So my family and I HAD to go and pick some of those HUGE and DELICIOUS strawberries. Every year we freeze some of the strawberries for shakes and the rest goes to jam and syrup.

If you have never canned anything before, you really should give it a try. There is nothing like fresh, homemade jam. Not to mention the pride of knowing you made it. Canning can seem a bit scary at first, but once you've made your first batch you will realize it isn't hard.

Also your local Extension Office might even have a class on canning, I know Hillsborough County does.

Strawberry Jam by Ball

5 cups crushed Strawberries

1/4 Cup lemon juice

7 cups Sugar

Heat Jars and lids in hot water, not boiling , until ready to use. Keeping the jars hot helps prevent them from breaking when adding hot jam. I usually just put my jars and lids through a dish washing cycle and that cleans them and keeps them warm until I am ready.

Combine Strawberries and lemon juice in a saucepan Gradually stir in pectin. Bring fruit to a full rolling boil that can not be stirred down, over high heat, stirring constantly.

Add all the sugar, stirring to dissolve. Return mixture to a full rolling boil. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim foam if necessary.

Fill the jars within a 1/4 inch from the top, wipe off any drips and then put the lid and rings on.

Next put filled jars in to the canner (or a large pot) filled with boiling water. The water should be 2 inches over the top of the jars. Boil/process the jars for 10 minutes.

Remove jars and let them cool off on the counter. As they cool you should hear the lids "pop". This sound means it sealed. If any of the jars didn't seal just put it in your fridge and use that jar first.

Happy canning!!

Gardening Websites

I ran out of the Gardening Websites handout. So for those of you that didn't get them here you go.

Rainbarrels
http://hillsborough.ifas.ufl.edu/HomeGardening/PDFs/Fact%20Sheets/Rain%20Barrels.pdf

Composting
http://hillsborough_fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/Compost-Happens.html

Gardening Almanac
http://hillsborough.extension.ufl.edu/HomeGardening/Garden-Almanac.html

Vegetable Gardening Guide
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vh021

Growing Vegetables in containers
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vh032

Edible Landscaping
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_edible_landscapes

Fruit Trees
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg248

Herbs
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vh020

Florida Gardening Forum
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/flgard/

March 19, 2011 Readiness Fair

Don’t be like Chicken Little and panic when the sky starts falling……
Be Prepared!


I am a firm believer in being prepared. There are so many unforeseen circumstances that can happen in our lives- job loss, medical expenses, natural disaster and more. Being prepared can make it easier to handle these situations.


I hope everyone had a great time yesterday at the 2011 Readiness Fair. It was a pleasure to meet so many wonderful people interested in gardening. I received lots of great questions and wonderful feedback. I also promised many of you that I would post the information here on my blog. I will not be able to post everything today but I will do my best to post everything within the week. If I forget something or if you have ANY questions, please let me know and I will do my best to help.

Rain Barrels

Did you know that one inch of rain on a 1000 sq. ft. roof can produce approximately 625 gallons of rain water? That is amazing to me. Think of all that rain water you could be collecting and using for on your landscaping or gardens. Not only is this water FREE, it is also better for your plants than tap water.
I have had a rain barrel for about 5 years now and I love it. It is great to used in times of drought and when we have water restrictions.

To some home owners rain barrels are an eye sore, but they don't have to be. Rain barrels can be painted to match your home so they blend in, or you can but it in a less noticable place and hide it with plants. You could evn pain it with with some sort of design. Do what ever works for you.

If you live in Hillsborough County you can get a rain barrel for free by attending one of their work shops. Just call the Hillsbrough County Extension Office and sign up (813)744-5519. IF you don't feel like attending a workshop or if you live in a different county here is a link with directions on how to make one.http://hillsborough_fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/RainBarrels.html

If you google "How to make a Rain Barrel" there will have plenty of links for videos and step by step directions.
Good Luck!

Flying Flowers

I thought I would share a few pictures I took of a Monarch Butterfly on some orange Lantana and a black buumble bee on some purple Lantana. Enjoy!

Just wanted to say...