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Q and A: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and new canner

Posted: 15 Jan 2013 12:00 AM PST

Ask Jackie

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

I am so excited as I logged onto Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds to get Hopi squash seeds. I will be getting some and I also ordered a catalog. I would like to ask you if there are any other vegetables in the catalog that you grow and would recommend.

As you live in northern Minnesota I figure anything that grows there will grow here in eastern Ontario.

M. Blaney
Ottawa, Ontario

I’ve been getting mixed reviews of Baker Creek’s supposedly Hopi Pale Grey squash. It doesn’t seem to be the original Hopi Pale Grey. The skin is a different color as is the meat. I will just send you some of my seeds so you’ll get the right one. Then you can share with friends so we can keep this wonderful squash from disappearing. –Jackie

New canner

My husband surprised me with my very first pressure canner this Christmas. There’s only one problem, it’s huge and we have an electric range, and the recommendation in the instructions is to not use it on an electric stove.

My question is this, I know that I’ve read it’s easier to maintain correct pressure on a gas range, but since I don’t have one, are there any other options, possibly portable, that could be used in place of a gas range? Do you know of any product that I could use to start my adventure into pressure canning?

Stacy Dayton
Haralson, Georgia

I have canned with my old HUGE canner on an electric stove with no problems, long ago. Most canners you would buy today are much smaller. The only caution is if your stove is a glass top, the manufacturers don’t recommend canning on them. BUT many homesteaders DO can on their glass tops with no problems. I’m sure they are careful.

You can buy a relatively inexpensive portable propane three-burner cooktop from Northern Tool and use that in your kitchen or even in the garage or outdoors, out of the wind. They are sturdy and do a good job. Coleman campstoves aren’t strong enough to regularly can on though.

Congratulations on your new canner. May you have as much fun canning as I do! — Jackie