Ohio State - Scioto County Extension

09/03/2026

🥧🍎 Preserve the taste of harvest season all year long! Canning pie fillings is a delicious way to use up extra fruit and have homemade desserts ready when you need them. Try apple, blueberry, cherry, peach, green tomato, or mincemeat pie fillings for safe, shelf-stable convenience. ✅

💡 Important tip: Use Clear Jel® (not Instant Clear Jel®) for the best texture and safe results, and don't reduce the lemon juice called for in tested recipes.

🫙One quart makes a full pie, while pints are perfect for toppings and pastries! 🫐🍒🍑

Preserving Pie Fillings - https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-5355

🥧✨

09/01/2026

🇺🇸📢 Office Closed for Labor Day 📢🇺🇸

Just a reminder that the OSU Extension Scioto County Office will be closed on Monday, September 7, 2026, in observance of Labor Day.

Our office will reopen on Tuesday, September 8, during normal business hours.

We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend! 🇺🇸☀️

08/27/2026

🥬🫙 Did You Know? Sauerkraut Is More Than Just Cabbage!
Making homemade sauerkraut is simple, but there's a little science behind that delicious tangy flavor. Sauerkraut is made by mixing shredded cabbage with salt and allowing it to ferment naturally for 3 to 6 weeks. The amount of salt is critical for both food safety and successful fermentation, so it should never be adjusted.
✅ Just cabbage + salt + time
✅ Fermentation can take several weeks
✅ The correct salt-to-cabbage ratio is essential
✅ Once fermented, sauerkraut should be canned or frozen for long-term storage

Want to learn more about making safe, delicious sauerkraut at home? Check out these great resources:
🔗 go.osu.edu/hgy5364
🎥 go.osu.edu/sauerkrautwebinar
🥬 Have you ever made your own sauerkraut? Tell us your favorite way to enjoy it in the comments, and share this post with a fellow fermentation fan!
🥬🫙

08/27/2026

Preserving Apples?
Apples are one of the most versatile fruits - they can be eaten fresh, frozen, canned, dried, or turned into pies or apple sauce.
Apples contain vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber.
One medium apple contains about 95 calories and 3 apples will weigh about 1 pound.
To decide which variety of apples will provide the best results for your salad, pie, or other apple recipes - check out the Selecting, Storing, and Serving Ohio Apples Fact Sheet ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-5507
Canning apples - ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-5343
Drying apples - ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-5347
Freezing apples - ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-5349
Apple Pie Filling - ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-5355
We can't wait to hear how you plan to use apples this fall!

08/26/2026

Join us on September 2, 2026, for the next session on…

Food Preservation: Freezing & Dehydrating

Join us to learn safe and effective methods for preserving food at home through freezing and dehydrating. This program will explore the benefits of food preservation, including reducing food waste, extending shelf life, and maintaining quality and nutrition.

Register for the entire series using this link one time. go.osu.edu/wwia26

08/24/2026

🥫🌱 Grow It, Taste It: Canning Basics 🌱🥫

Have you ever wanted to learn how to preserve your garden harvest? Join us for Grow It, Taste It: Canning Basics!

This session is perfect for beginners who want to learn more about the basics of home food preservation. Participants will learn about:

🥫 The fundamentals of safe home canning
🍅 Different methods of canning
🫙 Basic equipment and supplies
🌱 Tips for preserving your garden harvest
📚 Research-based food preservation resources

Whether you are new to canning or just need a refresher, this session will help you gain the knowledge and confidence to get started!

Join us and learn how you can grow it, preserve it, and enjoy it! 🌿🍅🥫

08/20/2026

🌿🐝 LIVING CREATURES OF THE GARDEN SPACE! 🦋🐞

Did you know your garden is home to much more than just plants? From pollinators and beneficial insects to birds, worms, and other tiny creatures, our garden spaces are full of life!

Living Creatures of the Garden Space, a program exploring the fascinating creatures that call our gardens home. Participants will learn how these creatures interact with plants, which ones are beneficial to the garden, and how we can create welcoming spaces for them. 🌱🪻

🔎 Come discover the busy world happening right outside your door!

📅 Date: August 25, 2026
⏰ Time: 5:30pm - 7:00pm
📍 Location: Portsmouth Library 1220 Gallia Street , Portsmouth, OH

Whether you're an experienced gardener or just getting started, there is always something new to discover in the garden!

🌻 Come explore, learn, and see your garden from a whole new perspective!

08/19/2026

Summer has a way of letting our schedules go by the wayside. Long afternoons at the pool, late nights catching lightning bugs, summer camps, and flexible bedtimes make for a great summer. Getting o…

08/19/2026

08/19/2026

Food and water safety information for consumers during hurricanes, power outages, and flooding.