Sassy Silver Sisters

Homemade fruit preserves aren’t just delicious—they’re personal. You control the sweetness. You skip preservatives and additives. You can mix and match flavors. And honestly… they just taste better Plus, they make beautiful gifts (if you can resist keeping them all for yourself 😉). 🍒 What Exactly Are Fruit Preserves? Preserves are similar to jams and jellies, but with one big difference: they contain larger chunks or whole pieces of fruit suspended in a syrupy base. Think juicy strawberries, tender peaches, or rich cherries—each bite full of texture and flavor. Simple Steps to Get Started… Wash and prep your fruit (slice, pit, or leave whole depending on the fruit) Combine with sugar and let it sit (this pulls out natural juices) Cook slowly until thick and glossy Add lemon juice Cool and store (or can for longer shelf life) That’s really all there is to it! 🫶 A Sweet Little Tradition Making fruit preserves isn’t just about food—it’s about slowing down, enjoying the proc...

🌱 Virginia (Zone 6b–7a) Average Last Frost: Mid–Late April --- 🌿 Early April (Cool-Weather Crops) Direct Sow Outdoors: Lettuce Spinach Kale Carrots Radishes Beets Peas Transplant Outdoors: Broccoli Cabbage Cauliflower --- 🌼 Mid-April (Watch Frost Closely) Direct Sow: Potatoes Onion sets Swiss chard Optional (with protection): Early green beans (if soil is warming) --- 🌞 Late April (After Last Frost) Direct Sow: Green beans Corn Cucumbers Squash & zucchini Transplant Outdoors: Tomatoes Peppers Eggplant --- 🌸 Herbs & Flowers (All Month) Cilantro Parsley Basil (late April) Marigolds Sunflowers --- 📝 Garden Notes Check soil temperature before planting warm crops Use mulch to retain moisture Harden off seedlings before transplanting Keep row covers handy for unexpected frost   Keep it sassy, Cathy ***************************************************************************** Thank you so much for taking the time to read our blog! We really appreciate it. We believe that our...