With the increased number of home gardens, more people are interested in freezing or canning surplus fruits and vegetables.

Freezing is one of the simplest and best ways to put up most fruits and vegetables. Canning can be an economical way to preserve food at home and provides safe, nutritious food if the products are selected and processed properly. If you already have the equipment, canning may be a less expensive way of storing food than freezing but usually requires more time for correct and safe processing.

For safe and successful home canning, use the proper equipment and only recommended, tested methods, such as those found in LSU AgCenter, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Center for Home Food Preservation publications.

See Full PDF for more information on the steps for safe home canning.