09/18/08 Time to Can

It's time to Can. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. Harvest time in the northwest means plenty of great fruit to can. Canning is a wonderful way to enjoy all year long but according to Lizann Powers-Hammond, an area extension educator with WSU, it's important to do it properly. POWERS-HAMMOND: People have the idea that once a jar is sealed, it's safe. And the reality is, it's the processing  the proper processing that makes it safe. The seal keeps it safe. I remember the long hours my grandmother would spend putting up all sorts of wonderful items. Her shelves would be lined with jars. POWERS-HAMMOND: Popularity also depends on what's ripe but at this time of year people are finishing up with peaches and moving into plums and then apples are going to hit us next. So there are some things that are more popular but also popularity goes with the calendar; with what's ripe. Quite a number of years ago my grandmother passed on but for a couple of years after we enjoyed the fruits of her labor so to speak. POWERS-HAMMOND: As long as they were processed properly and are still sealed the product is safe but over time it will lose quality. If you do have any questions about the process of canning produce, your local county extension office has the answers to most of your questions and materials to help you get a great finished product to enjoy through the next year. More tomorrow. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.