The end of June too early? You have your peas and beets and other cool crops to can now! I'm going to hit Big Lots and the other cheapo stores to buy more jars also.

I think its because Big Lots figures that different parts of the country are canning while others are still waiting. I don't can peas, but I do can beets. This year, however, no beets. My beets aren't really cool weather crops, they love the heat of summer.

Once it starts hitting the high 80s and 90s here my beets come to a standstill. The root stays thin and the leaves remain much smaller. I have to get all my beets pulled by the end of May - or sooner. What do you call the heat of summer in Mass?

90's in summer, and can go to 100+ once in a while. We had a few days of 90's 3 weeks ago and my poor peas were wilting. Luckily it was the later ones that are all plant and no pods yet. This year its been a bit cooler than normal. Fine with me. I grow the Detroit beets mostly. They do get planted in partial shade however.

ksrogers -

The partial shade may be the answer. My beets are out in the full sun. They grow quickly in the chilly nights and warmish days of early spring. We get enough rain at that time of the year also and the humidity isn't as high as in late May and June. I just went (after dinner) and checked the last sowing of beets and they're kind of pathetic.

Maybe they need a good fertilizer?? Some of last years beets are almost 3 inches in diameter.

Thanks for the info on Big Lots..sent hubby there today and found out it is closed...sigh. I live in North dakota and boy trying to find canning supplies is so hard! Wondering if it is worth it.

Walmart reduced the prices on it's quart cases. Is $7 a good deal for a case?

Sorry I can't help I've only got the 8oz jam jars from Wal mart. They are about the only place that even had them or the canning kettle and starter kit.

ksrogers

I don't leave beets in the garden over the winter. All are harvested before the real heat hits. They're a little bigger than golfballs, sweet and tender. I use Ironite, magnesium and a 10-10-10 granular fertilizer.

Before planting compost is turned in. I wish I had more compost to turn in....

bp_farmgal

Don't you have Wal*Mart stores there? They carry canners, the jars and many pickling spices.

Walmarts here are tiny in size, compared to one like the Super Walmart in NH. There, they have a super market as well as a lot of stuff I don't see anywhere else. Here, we have just the very basics and Walmarts are always a bit messy and crowded. I have not seen canning jars there either, only at a fw supermarkets. One of my local True Value hardware stores has caning jars, and they are about the only place where I can get some in a pinch when I need extras in a hurry. The last time I was at a Walmart was about 8 months ago, when I drove to NH, just for that purpose of getting stuff not found anywhere else. For me, its a 40 mile drive one way, hardly worth the gas now.

I hit jackpot on Craigslist.....77 jars in various sizes plus rings, lids, canning pot, all for $25.00

You lucky dog! I just spent another $7 today at Big Lots for a dozen quarts. I think I have enough now for this summer. If they go on sale later on I may pick up more.

I live in Alabama, and canning jars have been available here since about March...we have a long growing season. At Walmart, a dozen quart jars (Golden Harvest brand) is $7.73, and the pints are about a dollar less. Are they cheaper than that at Big Lots?

I paid about $7.50 or a bit more for 12 8 oz jam jars at wal mart yesterday. Menards has a lot of jars but finding the kettle and basics is very hard here. maybe I should try craigs list..I've looked on ebay and boy the shipping is what gets ya.

If you just HAVE to have Ball jars Wal-mart had qt. size for $8 a dozen here in MI. Harvest jars were slightly cheaper.