The Big Garden

11/13/2025

Did you know you can freeze tomatoes now and can them later? Freezing is a great way to buy yourself time during harvest season—and it makes prep super easy.

Here’s how to go from freezer → canner safely:
1. Freeze First, Peel Later
One of the perks of freezing tomatoes whole:
Just wash them and toss them into freezer bags—skins on, no blanching needed.
When you’re ready to can, run them under warm water or set them in a bowl to thaw slightly.
The skins will slip right off!
2. Turn Them Into Your Favorite Tomato Base
After peeling, you can:
Dice them
Crush them by hand
Cook them down into sauce or puree
Freezing does change the texture, so they work best in cooked products rather than fresh salsas.
3. Follow Safe Canning Practices (SUPER IMPORTANT!)

Tomatoes are borderline low-acid, so safety matters. Keep it safe by following these essentials:
✔️ Always acidify your tomatoes (bottled lemon juice or citric acid) — frozen or fresh, this step is non-negotiable for safe canning.
✔️ Use tested recipes from trusted sources like the National Center for Home Food Preservation or your local extension service.
✔️ Choose the right canner:
Whole, crushed, or juiced tomatoes: Water bath or pressure canner (per a tested recipe).
Tomato mixtures (with veggies/meat): Pressure canner only.
✔️ Follow the jar prep, headspace, and processing times exactly as the tested recipe instructs.
✔️ Adjust for altitude—safety depends on it!

Why it works?
Freezing doesn’t harm canning safety—as long as you thaw, prep, acidify, and process using a tested canning procedure. It actually makes peeling easier and helps break down the tomatoes for quicker cooking.

11/13/2025

Cant wait!!💚

11/11/2025

Getting our elderberry syrup ready for this Saturday’s Holiday Market at Benson Bounty! Great for staying healthy through the holiday season! If you’d like to buy a jar, come check us out along with a bunch more awesome vendors and activities!

11/10/2025

Cold nights are rolling in — once temps dip below 50°F, it’s time to bring your tropicals and tender plants indoors (usually late October–early November here).

✨ Winter care tips:
-Water less — let the top inch or two of soil dry out.
-Move closer to bright windows or use a grow light.
-Add humidity with a humidifier or pebble tray.
-Keep away from cold drafts & heat vents.
-Skip fertilizer until spring.
-Check for pests before bringing plants inside!

A little prep now keeps your plants happy all winter long!

11/07/2025

11/07/2025

11/06/2025

It’s winter squash time! Have you heard of Long Island Cheese pumpkins or Shokichi Shiro Mini Kabocha squashes? We’re going beyond the traditional pie pumpkins with a bit of variety for fun!

11/06/2025

11/05/2025

Whether it’s Napa cabbage for kimchi, cabbage rolls, or some buttery soft lettuce for a salad, our greens keep inspiring us for more recipes! We are proud to donate today’s harvest to Whispering Roots who are working tirelessly to get food out to people in need! Check them out in the local news:https://youtu.be/42hGtDlfAio

11/04/2025

If you’re collecting seeds from your garden, seed screens (or seed cleaning screens) are a game-changer! They help you separate seeds from chaff, dirt, and plant debris with ease.
How to use them:
Choose the right screen size — larger holes for bigger seeds, finer mesh for smaller ones.
Gently rub or shake your dried seed heads over the screen to sift out unwanted material.
Work in a dry, breezy spot for best results (but not too breezy—you don’t want your seeds blowing away!).
Keep them clean:
Brush off debris after each use.
Wash screens with mild soap and water if they get sticky or dusty.
Let them dry completely before storing to prevent rust or mold.
Your seeds will stay pure, clean, and ready for next season’s planting!

11/03/2025

As the days cool down, those last green tomatoes on the vine might need a little extra help ripening indoors. Don’t worry—you can still enjoy them!
✨ Here’s how to keep them ripening:
Pick them before frost – choose firm, unblemished tomatoes.
Spread them out in a single layer on a tray or in a cardboard box.
Keep them warm (around 60–70°F) and out of direct sunlight.
Check daily and remove any that fully ripen or start to spoil.
You’ll have fresh, homegrown tomatoes for weeks yet!

10/31/2025

As the growing season winds down here in Omaha, it’s time to tuck our garden beds in for their long winter nap. Over at the Big Garden, we use straw to cover our garden beds — and there’s a good reason for it!
Covering your beds before the freeze does more than just make things look tidy:
🌱 Protects the soil: A layer of straw helps prevent erosion from wind and rain.
🌡️ Regulates temperature: It acts as a natural blanket, keeping the soil warmer for longer and protecting beneficial organisms.
💧 Retains moisture: The mulch locks in moisture so your soil doesn’t dry out over winter.
🌿 Prepares for spring: As the straw breaks down, it adds organic matter that nourishes the soil for next season’s crops.
When spring arrives, you’ll find rich, healthy soil ready for planting — and fewer weeds to battle!