Been out in garden really early, I picked a bushel of peas, I shelled peas yesterday till I thought I would scream. I have froze several pints. The black berries need to be made into sauce, or jam, The rows of blue berries are staring at me, screaming pick me. My house is a pig pen now. Here we are retired, thats a laugh! Every year I say no more, and for some reason totally beyond me, here I am at it again. And this year it is unbearable hot. I have to jump into pool clothes and all. How many of you, have moaned the same song,Although all those beautiful jars of jam and pickles, and veg. are so pretty, And of course my sweet hubby is helping me every step of the way. Your turn up north is comeing. Love you all

-- Irene texas (tkorsborn@cs.com), May 03, 2002

Answers

Hey Irene- I planted peas for the first time this year, garden peas, I have no idea what to do with them. Tell me about your process of freezing them. Containers used, do you blanche or not. Thanks.

-- J (jjdenton@st-tel.net), May 03, 2002.

I hope my turn is coming!!!!! It's snowing yet again, as it has all week. No chance to plant anything yet. My greenhouses are TOTALLY full of seedlings, so I hope spring comes soon ;-)

-- Peace and Carrots Farm, Vermont (wsm311@aol.com), May 03, 2002.

Dear J, I have square plastic container's, with lids, I bought at walley world. I just use pints, as we are only two. I shell the pea's put in pot and bring to boil, I salt them a little. I boil for about 3 mins. Then cool some, Put into container's I also put the pea water in the containers. Fill with peas, add water to cover. about 3/4 full, allow for exspansion when froze. then when you get ready to eat, just put in pot and heat, The juice keeps the peas tasteing just like you pick them.Have fun.

-- Irene texas (tkorsborn@cs.com), May 03, 2002.

Irene- are the frozen peas better tasting than ones canned at home?? Do the peas mature fast or is there a window in which you can pick them before they are too mature? Thanks again.

-- J (jjdenton@st-tel.net), May 03, 2002.

Oh, Irene! You are so lucky! I hope my turn is coming. It's still pretty chilly here. What a wonderful husband you have. Mine thinks gardening and food preservation is my "hobby". :~) Last year was my first time canning pears; I decided that all that peeling was just too much work, but my toddler niece eats devours them, so you know I'll be doing them again this year....Merry

-- Merry (in MN) (biggdogg@wcta.net), May 03, 2002.

It takes a long time to fill your basket with peas, doesn't it? I love to shell them, though, I love to shell all kinds of pea/beans and break green beans. FRozen peas are delicious, but I can them for certain meals.I always say I'm not going to plant as much, but...and the last couple of years we've had so much rain that it was a good thing I planted so much. I am doing better this year on root crops, since I'm putting them in raised beds.

-- Cindy (S.E.IN) (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), May 03, 2002.

My hubby helps me too, and I'm heading out there right now. I love being tired and dirty at the end of the day. Yeah, it's May, talk to me in August and see how I feel!!! LOL

-- Cindy in IL (ilovecajun@aol.com), May 04, 2002.

It is cruel and unusual punishment to talk about pickin anything !!!!!!!! It snowed yesterday .... No fair

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@hotmail.com), May 04, 2002.

I grew peas one year..yes I did..I shelled peas that same year..yup....I have never done it again...peas that other folks grow taste so much better to me now that I know all the perspiration required to "put up peas"......nuff said Irene? LOL

-- lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), May 04, 2002.