Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: May 17 - May 23, 2026

[anna43]

Back in the day, on the farm, we had lots of apple trees. I remember Granny storing apples, and they lasted a long time right off the trees. I don't remember how she did it, though. Why can't we do the same with fresh apples, today, that you buy at the grocery store? Most of the time, when I buy the bags of apples, they rot within a week or so. Fresh potatoes dug out of the ground did the same. They lasted a long time. Now, what I get at the grocery store is pathetic. I would love to know how to store fruit and veggies like my granny did. Is it a lost art?

Once at mom's I was going to toss a shriveled apple and she pitched a fit. She said that was all the apples they had back when she was a kid and during the Depression and WWII years. Stored and not rotten but not pretty either!! Better than nothing which was the other option. Most homes had root cellars or basements to store food and having both would be ideal. I also think it depends on the variety of apple. Some do not keep even in the fridge, and others do quite well and, of course, it probably depends on how old the apple was when it was put on the shelf.

Spent a couple hours in the basement going through storage and pantry. Found a few things I need to add to shopping list, one item I'm positive I had several of but could find none also found a bulging can of peaches. Not leaking just bulging. It was in the middle of a flat so I'm glad I caught it and that it wasn't leaking. I'm pleased that there isn't much that I need to add to shopping. My food expense so far this month is $89.24 so I will have a few extra dollars to add for June.

My garden is growing grass like crazy. If I can't hoe it soon, it is going to be beyond saving again this year. I'm going to ask dd's boyfriend if he'll come and till it again when it's dry enough. Rain forecast for tomorrow so it may be a while. I walked around the garden last evening and no lettuce, radishes are up and they should be. I suspect when I planted it was damp enough for seeds to germinate then turned hot/dry and the seeds dried up. If nothing is up, then everything except six tomato plants can be tilled.

 

[summerthyme]

Once at mom's I was going to toss a shriveled apple and she pitched a fit. She said that was all the apples they had back when she was a kid and during the Depression and WWII years. Stored and not rotten but not pretty either!! Better than nothing which was the other option. Most homes had root cellars or basements to store food and having both would be ideal. I also think it depends on the variety of apple. Some do not keep even in the fridge, and others do quite well and, of course, it probably depends on how old the apple was when it was put on the shelf.

Spent a couple hours in the basement going through storage and pantry. Found a few things I need to add to shopping list, one item I'm positive I had several of but could find none also found a bulging can of peaches. Not leaking just bulging. It was in the middle of a flat so I'm glad I caught it and that it wasn't leaking. I'm pleased that there isn't much that I need to add to shopping. My food expense so far this month is $89.24 so I will have a few extra dollars to add for June.

My garden is growing grass like crazy. If I can't hoe it soon, it is going to be beyond saving again this year. I'm going to ask dd's boyfriend if he'll come and till it again when it's dry enough. Rain forecast for tomorrow so it may be a while. I walked around the garden last evening and no lettuce, radishes are up and they should be. I suspect when I planted it was damp enough for seeds to germinate then turned hot/dry and the seeds dried up. If nothing is up, then everything except six tomato plants can be tilled.

Some years are like that!
Honestly, if the grass and weeds are getting out of control, it might be worth sacrificing any potential lettuce and radish seedlings in favor of tilling everything and regaining weed control!

Plus, if you sprout some lettuce and radish seeds in homemade "seed tapes", they'll be ready to plant as soon as your dd's boyfriend is done tilling.

I use paper towels, as I plant stuff like leaf lettuce and radishes in wide rows. I lay out a strip of 2-4 paper towels and spritz them with water. The I sprinkle the seeds on at an appropriate spacing (inch or two apart). Lay another strip of towels on top, spritz with water again, then loosely roll the whole thing up. Slide the roll into a plastic bag (leave the end open) and put it in a room temperature spot *out of diirect sun*.

Check in 3-4 days by unrolling a bit on the end and peeking at the seeds. Once they have roots, lay the strip on freshly worked garden soil, and sprinkle enough soil on the top to cover it thoroughly. Don't leave visible paper towel above the surface...it can wick moisture and dry the seedlings out.

Summerthyme

 

[Meemur]

Summer answered you about spoilage and storage, SB. Potatoes have been bad for several years. That's why I'm growing my own, and I watch for locally grown apples in the fall when I'm storing whole apples. Otherwise, I slice and dehydrate them.

Saw another house this morning, and I'm going back with another friend (in construction and also worked as an electrician) in a bit. This one has some acreage that can be rented out, but I'm concerned about the outbuildings: I think they should all be pulled down! But I'm not expert builder. I'm also concerned about the way the electricity to them was run. If I had to buy it immediately, I'd also disconnect the power to them. To my eye, it looks like a fire waiting to happen, but I'm not saying much and getting another opinion. It'll probably end up being a no from me, but I do like that area.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Old poor Virginia redneck..family..I knew....had well and out house...no root cellar....they grew taters...and put under the house with lyme on them to keep thru the winter
Can not verify...never tried this way ...

No root cellars or basements around here back then, or now. I'm pretty sure it was "corn cribs" that Granny kept them in. You're right about putting lyme on the potatoes. I do remember Granny doing that. Not having root cellars or basements down here, nothing kept as long as having a much cooler climate to store them in, I'm sure.

 

[anna43]

Summer answered you about spoilage and storage, SB. Potatoes have been bad for several years. That's why I'm growing my own, and I watch for locally grown apples in the fall when I'm storing whole apples. Otherwise, I slice and dehydrate them.

Saw another house this morning, and I'm going back with another friend (in construction and also worked as an electrician) in a bit. This one has some acreage that can be rented out, but I'm concerned about the outbuildings: I think they should all be pulled down! But I'm not expert builder. I'm also concerned about the way the electricity to them was run. If I had to buy it immediately, I'd also disconnect the power to them. To my eye, it looks like a fire waiting to happen, but I'm not saying much and getting another opinion. It'll probably end up being a no from me, but I do like that area.

You might want to look at the Assessor's website to determine if those building are being taxed. They likely are and if you can't use them, you'll still be paying the taxes. Ask your friend about the cost of taking them down and disposing of debris. Be sure to walk the land because you can find dumping areas that will take a lot of work to clean up and potentially have hazardous contents. Glad you have a knowledgeable friend to help you with this big decision.

We once looked at an acreage that the owner had used old cars for erosion control and heaven only knows if oil/gas/tires were removed or were buried creating pollution. Another time we looked at an acreage where the man had a big shop building and obvious gas/oil/?? polluting the bare ground around the shop and the dirt floor of the shop because nothing not even weeds was growing in the shop area. We gave both a pass.

 

[Meemur]

You might want to look at the Assessor's website to determine if those building are being taxed. They likely are and if you can't use them, you'll still be paying the taxes. Ask your friend about the cost of taking them down and disposing of debris. Be sure to walk the land because you can find dumping areas that will take a lot of work to clean up and potentially have hazardous contents. Glad you have a knowledgeable friend to help you with this big decision.

We once looked at an acreage that the owner had used old cars for erosion control and heaven only knows if oil/gas/tires were removed or were buried creating pollution. Another time we looked at an acreage where the man had a big shop building and obvious gas/oil/?? polluting the bare ground around the shop and the dirt floor of the shop because nothing not even weeds was growing in the shop area. We gave both a pass.

For sure! And if the buildings are as bad as I think they are, I want the owner to tear them down. He has the heavy equipment. But, again, I'm just not saying much. This is another situation where I really like the house and the one acre that surrounds it. The rest of the parcel is highly questionable, and yes -- I would get further testing done if I make an offer -- but it's starting to look like too much work for my age and energy levels. If I were 20 years younger, it might be a different situation. I got pulled into this because originally the parcel was going to be split. Anyway, gotta go. I won't do anything stupid.

 

[philkar]

On the apple storage line of thought…we have our own apples peaches etc. But our experience has been that if the fruit has been initially cooled it just won’t long term store. We believe that so much that if we supplement our fruit crops we pick at a upick so we know it is not cooled before we buy it. We are old and move a little more slowly these days so know that we believe it that much! Just used the last apple from Fall 2025 this week for chicken salad. We do have a root cellar of sorts but we have a cold room for all storage. We live in north Alabama. Works for us! Sweet potatoes, white potatoes, cabbage last a long time for us. We struggle with onions though!

 

[SouthernBreeze]

On the apple storage line of thought…we have our own apples peaches etc. But our experience has been that if the fruit has been initially cooled it just won’t long term store. We believe that so much that if we supplement our fruit crops we pick at a upick so we know it is not cooled before we buy it. We are old and move a little more slowly these days so know that we believe it that much! Just used the last apple from Fall 2025 this week for chicken salad. We do have a root cellar of sorts but we have a cold room for all storage. We live in north Alabama. Works for us! Sweet potatoes, white potatoes, cabbage last a long time for us. We struggle with onions though!

Granny always tied our onions up in bunches to hang, after drying them out.

We could have a root cellar dug, but it would be problematic. They couldn't dig down too deep, because of our high water table. That's the main problem around in our area, and it doesn't work well for basements or cellars.

 

[Meemur]

I hang my onions up to dry under the basement stairs. Great decor, LOL!

Interesting afternoon -- my friend told me more of the history of that property and the area: it's owned by two families, and there are multiple title problems every time they try to divide and sell any of the land out there. It's also highly possible that the guy living there now isn't on the deed. He's the youngest son, but he may or may not have inherited the land. It would certainly need further research, but I was advised to look at some different houses, which I will do. I don't want to be involved in messes! There's several parcels like that in the area. That's where some inside info really helps.

Back to working in the garage. I've got another garden wagon to repair.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Another rainy, stormy, gloomy day, today. It rained and stormed all night. Still raining right now. Nothing can be done outside, so it's another good day to do more deep cleaning in the house. I've opened all the windows. As long as the wind doesn't get up, no rain will get in. Temps are cooler at only 77 for our high, today.

Nothing outside for Cary to do, so I've ask him to help me do some rearranging in the meat freezer. I'm so short that I can't reach the very bottom of it. I know that I have packages of bacon that I can't reach that need to be brought to the top and used. It's almost time for me to cook out another 3 pounds, and that package, plus another one, is what I want to use. Plus, I need to see how many more packages are in there.

We can't grill, because of the rain, but bacon cheeseburgers and chips are on tonight's menu.

 

[Meemur]

Upper 50s and overcast here. I'm just fine with this weather. It's not a struggle to walk or work outside.

I'm going to attempt to finish my pantry shopping in a bit. I don't have everything on the list, but my stores look closer to fall levels than spring ones. Meat is the last challenge. I'm still trying to find several folks with enough money to split some of the larger meat orders, but that's not working out, so I'm exploring other options.

Some of my tomatoes have flowers! This is the earliest I've seen that in my plants. Normally, it's closer to June 1.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

We got 1/2 of the meat freezer rotated. That, in itself, was a big job. Glad Cary could help me with it. I found 12, 3lb. packages of bacon in that section, alone. I'm pretty sure that I have at least that many on the other side. I needed to know about how many packages I already had, before I start buying more. I think I can wait a while. We'll do the other side another day. I don't like pushing Cary's patience, LOL!

The rain has stopped for the moment. Strong storms forecast for this afternoon.

 

[hd5574]

We got 1/2 of the meat freezer rotated. That, in itself, was a big job. Glad Cary could help me with it. I found 12, 3lb. packages of bacon in that section, alone. I'm pretty sure that I have at least that many on the other side. I needed to know about how many packages I already had, before I start buying more. I think I can wait a while. We'll do the other side another day. I don't like pushing Cary's patience, LOL!

The rain has stopped for the moment. Strong storms forecast for this afternoon.

I'm short also...I purchased some of those new style grocery bags that have the hard bottom..and put them in my chest freezer....I can sort different types of meat into different bags and lift the bottom ones out..I sit them one on top of another..
So it is easy to get the stuff out.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I'm short also...I purchased some of those new style grocery bags that have the hard bottom..and put them in my chest freezer....I can sort different types of meat into different bags and lift the bottom ones out..I sit them one on top of another..
So it is easy to get the stuff out.

When I get around to defrosting both of my freezers, I'm going to do the same. I already have all of my frozen veggies in those type grocery bags in my other freezer. It does make them easy to get to. Thing is, I really need my freezer content to go back down, before I defrost. I have no place to empty everything out into in order to do it right now. They are both full to the brim. I'm afraid to let them get down low with things the way they are in the world. I already have the new grocery bags, though. I might get a wild hair one day that Cary doesn't have anything going on, and go ahead and separate it all into the grocery bags, anyway.

 

[hd5574]

When I get around to defrosting both of my freezers, I'm going to do the same. I already have all of my frozen veggies in those type grocery bags in my other freezer. It does make them easy to get to. Thing is, I really need my freezer content to go back down, before I defrost. I have no place to empty everything out into in order to do it right now. They are both full to the brim. I'm afraid to let them get down low with things the way they are in the world. I already have the new grocery bags, though. I might get a wild hair one day that Cary doesn't have anything going on, and go ahead and separate it all into the grocery bags, anyway.

When I did it I put the smaller frozen things in a cooler..and the big things together in a laundry basket
It didn't take long...and nothing defrosted

 

[SouthernBreeze]

When I did it I put the smaller frozen things in a cooler..and the big things together in a laundry basket
It didn't take long...and nothing defrosted

That's the way I did it the last time. My freezer wasn't as full as it is now, though. I don't have a large enough cooler to hold all of it. I do have an extra clothes basket. I always set a small fan down inside the freezer, and it defrosts the freezer pretty quickly.

 

[Wildwood]

I finished planting the garden yesterday...it was a major push but I was ready to get it done.

At the last minute, I did a rework of that first big raised bed. I had it already to plant and looked down and saw the roll of 3 ft. wide ground cover, took out all the trellises and ran it right down the middle...maybe a little more to one side but it was perfect. I always struggle to keep it weeded in the middle because it is five ft. wide. I left a little over a foot on the front side, put the trellis back up, ran the ground cover right up to the back of the trellis and then planted my cucumber and melon seeds in the eight or nine inches on the other side of the ground cover....they will climb the arches going from that bed to the other one full of sweet potatoes. I will burn holes in the ground cover to plant in but I will not have to weed the middle of that bed. It's going to be a huge improvement for many reasons and it was completely spontaneous.

On the front side, in front of the trellis, I planted my bell pepper plants and a few cherry tomato plants I'm trying for fun. It may sound crazy to plant bell peppers against a trellis but these are a tall variety and I like to have something to hold them up when they are full of peppers. I leave a good many until they turn red so that by the time I pick them in the fall, those plants are completely loaded. We use what we want fresh all summer long but by fall they need support for all the weight.

All that is left is the fun stuff like flowers and anything else around the place that will add a little character. I always plant marigolds between the tomato plants. They are some I get from Baker Creek that are suppose to be the best for nematodes. I have two big flats of them just waiting. I always do a little bubbling fountain and have a double washtub full of something blooming at the front of one of the rows. I have an old claw foot tub that I'm about to plant full of strawberries and a wheelbarrow full of impatiens. I always add a planter of lantana and one of ornamental purslane somewhere along the front.

I will be in my happy place if anybody comes looking for me from now til fall lol.

 

[moldy]

@Wildwood that sounds so lovely! I would like to do something like that - I just need inspiration, time, and energy!! Had my regular job (although I finished a couple hours early), saw a client, and cleaned a house. I'm tired and plan on sleeping in tomorrow!

 

[anna43]

Two months ago, I received a 10# bag of chicken hind quarters from the bi-monthly mobile food pantry box. I realized the pantry box will be next Thursday, so needed it out of the freezer. I cooked it a couple days ago and today finally got it picked off and chopped. I always chop it because meat from legs and thighs is stringy and unpleasant to add without chopping to soup or casseroles. Anyway, a whole day's work for 7 pints of chicken in broth plus two pints of carrots to fill the canner. The carrots were part of 5# bag from the pantry box that I'd peeled first thing this morning planning to roast them and eat all week. Since there were sitting there all prepped, I decided to can them. I think the bags of carrots we get from time to time are "horse" carrots because they all have ends broken off or are broken in two. Still the price was right and they taste fine.

I'd like to do a big pantry shop right away, but I don't think I'll be able to do so for at least a month. It will be that long before I can get new glasses. I can see okay without and haven't had them on for a couple days but I'm not sure about driving without sunglasses and the only ones I have are the type that snap over regular glasses.

When I did my pantry inventory, I consolidated items and ended up with two more empty buckets. I have a lot of empty buckets and no plans to refill them. I also found two empty gallon glass jars that I use for flour so plan to buy two 5# bags as each will hold most of a bag. Most of my half gallon jars are already in use and I'm determined not to buy any more jars so any extra that will not fit into the gallon will have to go into quarts. I have something like 30 boxes of empty quarts so no danger of running out of those!

It is currently raining again although supposed to end by 1:00 a.m. I've reached the point I don't even want to look at my garden as it is a sea of grass. I do think a few radishes have come up but nothing else. I need to remember to harvest asparagus again tomorrow and then I'll have enough to blanch and freeze. I'm also very tempted to pull rhubarb and make another rhubarb pudding even though I'm not supposed to eat rhubarb. I have so much and it's just sitting in the garden unused.

I opened a can of tuna (from food box) this evening to make tuna salad for a sandwich. Even after pouring off liquid, it was still too runny to put on bread. I learned in the past to use Panko when that happens. Sprinkle some on, wait for it to absorb and then add more if needed. Just go slow and let it absorb before adding more or you can easily get too much. The label said "chunk" tuna, but unless you consider a chuck the size of an uncooked grain of rice, it was false advertising!! Again, the price was right, and it tasted like tuna.

 

[ginnie6]

We are home and recovered from the trip. Something set my stomach off on the way home, I'm convinced it was convenience store coffee and the McDonalds biscuit I ate. It was NOT a pleasant ride for a few hours as we kept having to find restrooms quickly. We got in early Thursday morning and I slept most of the day off and on. Kept the grands yesterday most of the day. DD called to see if we were back and what I had planned. When I told her cleaning she asked if I wanted dgd to help. Of course I said yes and asked if dgs needed to help me too. So they helped me load the dishwasher and make lunch. Then we all took a nice nap in Granny's recliner lol. Dd said they'd been in the car nonstop all week so they were apparently as tired of the car as I was! But she had two contracts to draw up last night so that was good.
Today I'm picking Charissa up from the in patient rehab and taking her home! She's apparently doing great with rehab and ready. She was only in in patient for a week.
Then dh is going to help me get the carpet we had to take up because of the dog accident back down since its clean. We have a potluck after church tomorrow for our class so I'm making a poundcake to take for dessert and dh made his peanut butter balls last night to take. He also made chocolate covered blueberries and orange slices. He loves to experiment in the kitchen and I don't so he can have at it lol.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I'm beginning to sound like a broken record, but we have more rain. Rained all night with thunder. Rain chances are a bit less, today, but more coming in around 7 pm. Our forecast calls for rain every day next week, too. We've already accumulated over 4 inches. In spite of all the rain we've had, there is no standing water anywhere in our yard. The ground was so dry that it's still soaking it right up. Needless to say, our drought has been broken.

Nothing much for either of us to do, today, inside or out. 83 for our high, today.

Baked garlic parmesan crusted boneless pork chops, broccoli stir fry, steamed potatoes with butter, peas, and homemade bread on the menu for tonight.

 

[Meemur]

It's 66, partly sunny, and wonderful! I enjoying the outdoors. The heat comes back tomorrow, so I'm finishing laundry today. It's almost warm enough to go kayaking! I'm getting excited.

 

[patriotgal]

Grand left after helping us with a list of serious projects. He got a job last day he was here so will still be around. I promised to cook for him when he picked out groceries. Suspect we will see him a lot of weekends.
Another grand just got out of the Army. He and his wife will be around for a month or so until they close on a house. Both have already gotten good jobs. They will be over tomorrow for dinner.

9 days of rain in forecast. One of the kids upgraded family computers and sent me a new to me computer. The specs on it blew me away. Getting everything off my 2nd computer. DH will now have a decent desktop for the first time in several years. I use one computer for all client projects- it has the specific software they all require. The new to me computer will be the one I use for digital projects.

Made a trip to town to restock pantry. Couldn't do as much as I would have liked but still did well.

If we get the rain they are calling for we will work on indoor painting and digital products.