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The Kitchen Magpie Homesteading Gardening and Preserving

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Gardening and Preserving

Mr. Kitchen Magpie

@mrkitchenmagpie

Prairie homesteading basics! Here you will find how to make homemade jams, preserves, how to can fruit and vegetables. There are also tips for backyard gardens, growing vegetables in the city and more!

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Mr. Kitchen Magpie

@mrkitchenmagpie

Prairie homesteading basics! Here you will find how to make homemade jams, preserves, how to can fruit and vegetables. There are also tips for backyard gardens, growing vegetables in the city and more!

Harvest Season for a McCain Potato Farmer Partner
Back in the spring of this year I wrote about my visit to a farm in Manitoba and the experience of seeing what a day in the life of a McCain potato farmer partner was all about. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, stop right now and open that post in a new tab to enjoy readin
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/harvest-season-for-a-mccain-potato-farmer-partner/
My Blooming, Buzzing Garden Update!
This past June here in Edmonton has been the coldest, windiest and wettest June that I can remember. My plants are growing SO slowly this year, am I the only one? How has the past month been for your gardens?
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/my-blooming-buzzing-garden-update/
Visiting Beaver Creek Farms, A Day in the Life of a McCain Potato Farmer
One lovely spring morning out here on the Canadian Prairies, Mike and I packed up the car for a road trip out to Manitoba. Our goal: visit Beaver Creek Farms, a potato farm in partnership with McCain, during potato planting season to learn about the inner workings of a Canadian p
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/visiting-beaver-creek-farms-a-day-in-the-life-of-a-mccain-potato-farmer/
Happy National Planting Week!
If you weren’t aware, this week is officially National Planting Week, running from June 5th-12th. This is the time to get out there and start planting all of those gorgeous flowers that you will enjoy all summer long. The crazy weather of May is behind us and it’s generally consi
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/happy-national-planting-week/
Planting for Honey Bees During National Planting Week!
I am thrilled to partner again with the Bees Matter initiative for 2017! Bees Matter is a Canadian website that partners with beekeepers, scientists, environmentalists and everyday Canadians to improve honey bee health and colonies. You can find valuable information on honey bees
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/planting-for-honey-bees-during-national-planting-week/
My Secrets To Growing An Amazing Zone 3a Garden
Ok, you’ve been hounding me as to why my garden is so seriously out of control, even though I live in Edmonton, which is a Zone 3a garden. I however, am in the suburbs – almost in the country- and I have to battle slightly harder than someone who has an inner city garden lot, fo
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/my-secrets-to-growing-an-amazing-zone-3a-garden/
Magpie’s Garden 2014 – Holly Homesteader. Chickenbees. And The End.
I’m going to come straight out and admit it; holy Dinah, I am done with my garden. D-O-N-E.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/magpies-garden-2014-holly-homesteader-chickenbees-and-the-end/
Canned Pickled Beets Recipe
Ah, pickled beets. These purple beauties are most certainly a taste of my childhood as my Grandma canned beets in great numbers. Unlike most children, I have loved beets since I was a young ‘un running around my Grandma’s Manitoba farm in the hot summer sun.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/canned-pickled-beets-recipe/
My Edible Front Yard Is Complete!
Oh landscaping, my nemesis. How I love to hate you. I love to plan you. I love to execute those plans. I surely love to spend the money on you.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/front-landscaping-complete/
Utterly Yard Overwhelmed
Just writing this post stressed me right out, I kid you not. My chest is tight with stress- and the upper respiratory infection I have isn’t helping things. As exciting as it is to have a blank canvas, as a non-landscaper I am completely and utterly overwhelmed right now trying
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/utterly-yard-overwhelmed/
Eat Alberta : Your Real Food Survival Guide
Eat Alberta is back! What could be more fun than a conference about food, with local talents presenting and preparing? This conference is an excellent opportunity for everyone to get out there and meet other local Edmontonians. This is for anyone who is interested in backyard ga
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/eat-alberta-your-real-food-survival-guide/
Saskatoon Picking 2011
Ah summer in Edmonton. Festivals galore, the sunshine that won’t stay longer than 10 minutes and a river valley that is a bounty of food to be found. We have been picking the Saskatoons in the River Valley almost as long as we have been living here. I wasn’t sure how long, so I w
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/saskatoon-picking-2011/
Magpie, Magpie, How Does Your Garden Grow?
S’alright. I have a lot of container gardening going on this year, with success in some areas and absolute failure in others.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/magpie-magpie-how-does-your-garden-grow/
Clifford E. Lee Bird Sanctuary
Yes, this was back on Good Friday and yes I am really late in posting these pictures.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/clifford-e-lee-bird-sanctuary/
Ah, Spring.
Spring, the time for hope eternal. Greening grasses, blooming spring bulbs and the glimpse of the summer to come. Those who garden have green blood racing through their veins, heart jumping with excitement over the thought of getting to the garden center first for those choice b
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/ah-spring-2/
The Garden Fails of 2010
Bah. Just….BAH. I had 4 varieties of tomatoes and the only ones that fared well were the Lemon Boys, which I featured in my gardening hits post.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/the-garden-fails-of-2010/
The Garden Hits of 2010
Really. It wasn’t the most phenomenal summer for vegetables that I have experienced, my first year was far better than last year. I tend to start planning what I am going to grow, oh, as soon as the glitter from New Year’s has been swept away.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/the-garden-hits-of-2010/
Last of the Garden
That’s it, that’s all, this gardening girl done for the season folks. Just about time to retire the garden category and start posting more house things.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/last-of-the-garden/
Frost Sucks
Do you know the temperature last year at this time?
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/frost-sucks/
Operation Tomato
It was time to try and rescue some of my tomatoes, the night time temps here in Alberta are falling FAR below 10 degrees at night (that’s Celsius) with daytime temperatures consistently not reaching much past plus 15.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/operation-tomato/
High Bush Cranberries
It never ceases to amaze me the available natural bounty one can find in your own city, especially a city with such a lush river valley system, such as Edmonton.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/high-bush-cranberries/
Sometimes I Just Shriek
Sometimes it’s hard to handle the creepy crawlies that inhabit my garden. Sometimes I let out rather loud shrieks when you least expect it. Take, for example, the bugs above. I was talking to my son outside and went to see if the Jacob’s Ladder had gone to seed.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/sometimes-i-just-shriek/
Edmonton Edible Garden Tour Part 2
Next we met Joachim who was one of the more diverse gardeners we met that day. His garden had a huge variety of fruit trees, including pears, a black walnut tree, apples and the most delicious plums I have ever tasted. Consensus had it that they were Brook Gold plums and I am hea
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/edmonton-edible-garden-tour-part-2/
Edmonton Edible Garden Tour Part 1
Today was a day I have been looking forward to since this spring; the Edible Garden tour done right here in Edmonton, run by the Urban Farmer Ron Berezan. It’s an entire Saturday devoted to traveling around Edmonton looking at yards that have been transformed into more than lawn,
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/edmonton-edible-garden-tour-part-1/
Fruits of Our Labor
Ok, to be honest it’s mainly MY labor, but the kids do help water the garden. And Mike did build the garden beds, but to be frank I think his involvement and the claim for that is long gone. You can only coast so long on fumes, you know.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/fruits-of-our-labor/
My Lemon Boys
If it’s lemon, I love it. And these amazing Lemon Boy tomatoes are no exception.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/my-lemon-boys/
Let There Be Vegetables.
Out. Of. Control. But at least this year my brother didn’t kill most of my vegetable while we were on vacation. Ok, fine, to be fair it was the frost that decimated a lot of my vines. And this year that late snow did a fine job trying, and suceeding, with a lot again.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/let-there-be-vegetables/
Vegetables!
Ooh, things, they are a growing! Touch wood. This is Alberta after all, and snow could happen at any time.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/vegetables/
Honeyberries
I have honeyberries, and more than I initially thought! I wouldn’t call it a bumper crop, but between the three bushes there are enough for the whole family to have a few tastes.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/honeyberries/
I Need Leaves STAT!
Please please please! I have already asked a few of you this morning, so ignore this post. But for those of you I didn’t hunt down online this morning:
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/i-need-leaves-stat/
Peppers N’ Peonies
What I really like about the new site design is that you can completely ignore my home and garden section, if you are so inclined.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/peppers-n-peonies/
Wine, Boredom & Camera
I am bored, so I thought I would post a picture of the side flower bed and what’s in it. Enjoy. I am sure you are so thrilled that I am posting MORE flower pictures.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/wine-boredom-camera-what-you-see-below/
DK Container Contest 2010
I review a lot of DK books on my other website, The Super Mom, and came across this contest that should interest a lot of readers of this site.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/dk-container-contest-2010/
I CAN Be Taught
Or maybe not. Maybe I just can’t learn a lesson. But golly gee, look at me.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/i-can-be-taught/
Rain Rain, Go Away…
I am starting to feel like I live on the West Coast. So does my Jacob’s ladder above. Ahem. I wish.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/rain-rain-go-away/
Things That Are Growing
My resilient sunflowers. Wanna know how to not have to buy seeds for next year? Leave the sunflowers out for the wild creatures all winter, and let them scatter the seeds for you.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/things-that-are-growing/
So Very Green…
The cool and rainy weather might have sucked for long weekend camping, but my plants have never been greener.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/so-very-green/
The Vegetable Garden
Is not done. But I gave it my all today to get in the plants that can stand this slightly chilly weather, because I need my house back.I would like to see through my windows instead of looking at plants blocking my view.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/the-vegetable-garden/
Soccer & Planting The Same Season
Is Insane. And a man thought it up. Because no woman in her right mind would flippin’ say “oh, let’s cram in a sport three times a week as well as try to get things planted in time for some harvest in our 3 month summer.”
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/who-made-soccer-planting-the-same-season/

Links
Media

Harvest Season for a McCain Potato Farmer Partner
Back in the spring of this year I wrote about my visit to a farm in Manitoba and the experience of seeing what a day in the life of a McCain potato farmer partner was all about. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, stop right now and open that post in a new tab to enjoy readin
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/harvest-season-for-a-mccain-potato-farmer-partner/
My Blooming, Buzzing Garden Update!
This past June here in Edmonton has been the coldest, windiest and wettest June that I can remember. My plants are growing SO slowly this year, am I the only one? How has the past month been for your gardens?
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/my-blooming-buzzing-garden-update/
Visiting Beaver Creek Farms, A Day in the Life of a McCain Potato Farmer
One lovely spring morning out here on the Canadian Prairies, Mike and I packed up the car for a road trip out to Manitoba. Our goal: visit Beaver Creek Farms, a potato farm in partnership with McCain, during potato planting season to learn about the inner workings of a Canadian p
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/visiting-beaver-creek-farms-a-day-in-the-life-of-a-mccain-potato-farmer/
Happy National Planting Week!
If you weren’t aware, this week is officially National Planting Week, running from June 5th-12th. This is the time to get out there and start planting all of those gorgeous flowers that you will enjoy all summer long. The crazy weather of May is behind us and it’s generally consi
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/happy-national-planting-week/
Planting for Honey Bees During National Planting Week!
I am thrilled to partner again with the Bees Matter initiative for 2017! Bees Matter is a Canadian website that partners with beekeepers, scientists, environmentalists and everyday Canadians to improve honey bee health and colonies. You can find valuable information on honey bees
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/planting-for-honey-bees-during-national-planting-week/
My Secrets To Growing An Amazing Zone 3a Garden
Ok, you’ve been hounding me as to why my garden is so seriously out of control, even though I live in Edmonton, which is a Zone 3a garden. I however, am in the suburbs – almost in the country- and I have to battle slightly harder than someone who has an inner city garden lot, fo
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/my-secrets-to-growing-an-amazing-zone-3a-garden/
Magpie’s Garden 2014 – Holly Homesteader. Chickenbees. And The End.
I’m going to come straight out and admit it; holy Dinah, I am done with my garden. D-O-N-E.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/magpies-garden-2014-holly-homesteader-chickenbees-and-the-end/
Canned Pickled Beets Recipe
Ah, pickled beets. These purple beauties are most certainly a taste of my childhood as my Grandma canned beets in great numbers. Unlike most children, I have loved beets since I was a young ‘un running around my Grandma’s Manitoba farm in the hot summer sun.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/canned-pickled-beets-recipe/
My Edible Front Yard Is Complete!
Oh landscaping, my nemesis. How I love to hate you. I love to plan you. I love to execute those plans. I surely love to spend the money on you.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/front-landscaping-complete/
Utterly Yard Overwhelmed
Just writing this post stressed me right out, I kid you not. My chest is tight with stress- and the upper respiratory infection I have isn’t helping things. As exciting as it is to have a blank canvas, as a non-landscaper I am completely and utterly overwhelmed right now trying
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/utterly-yard-overwhelmed/
Eat Alberta : Your Real Food Survival Guide
Eat Alberta is back! What could be more fun than a conference about food, with local talents presenting and preparing? This conference is an excellent opportunity for everyone to get out there and meet other local Edmontonians. This is for anyone who is interested in backyard ga
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/eat-alberta-your-real-food-survival-guide/
Saskatoon Picking 2011
Ah summer in Edmonton. Festivals galore, the sunshine that won’t stay longer than 10 minutes and a river valley that is a bounty of food to be found. We have been picking the Saskatoons in the River Valley almost as long as we have been living here. I wasn’t sure how long, so I w
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/saskatoon-picking-2011/
Magpie, Magpie, How Does Your Garden Grow?
S’alright. I have a lot of container gardening going on this year, with success in some areas and absolute failure in others.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/magpie-magpie-how-does-your-garden-grow/
Clifford E. Lee Bird Sanctuary
Yes, this was back on Good Friday and yes I am really late in posting these pictures.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/clifford-e-lee-bird-sanctuary/
Ah, Spring.
Spring, the time for hope eternal. Greening grasses, blooming spring bulbs and the glimpse of the summer to come. Those who garden have green blood racing through their veins, heart jumping with excitement over the thought of getting to the garden center first for those choice b
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/ah-spring-2/
The Garden Fails of 2010
Bah. Just….BAH. I had 4 varieties of tomatoes and the only ones that fared well were the Lemon Boys, which I featured in my gardening hits post.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/the-garden-fails-of-2010/
The Garden Hits of 2010
Really. It wasn’t the most phenomenal summer for vegetables that I have experienced, my first year was far better than last year. I tend to start planning what I am going to grow, oh, as soon as the glitter from New Year’s has been swept away.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/the-garden-hits-of-2010/
Last of the Garden
That’s it, that’s all, this gardening girl done for the season folks. Just about time to retire the garden category and start posting more house things.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/last-of-the-garden/
Frost Sucks
Do you know the temperature last year at this time?
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/frost-sucks/
Operation Tomato
It was time to try and rescue some of my tomatoes, the night time temps here in Alberta are falling FAR below 10 degrees at night (that’s Celsius) with daytime temperatures consistently not reaching much past plus 15.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/operation-tomato/
High Bush Cranberries
It never ceases to amaze me the available natural bounty one can find in your own city, especially a city with such a lush river valley system, such as Edmonton.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/high-bush-cranberries/
Sometimes I Just Shriek
Sometimes it’s hard to handle the creepy crawlies that inhabit my garden. Sometimes I let out rather loud shrieks when you least expect it. Take, for example, the bugs above. I was talking to my son outside and went to see if the Jacob’s Ladder had gone to seed.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/sometimes-i-just-shriek/
Edmonton Edible Garden Tour Part 2
Next we met Joachim who was one of the more diverse gardeners we met that day. His garden had a huge variety of fruit trees, including pears, a black walnut tree, apples and the most delicious plums I have ever tasted. Consensus had it that they were Brook Gold plums and I am hea
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/edmonton-edible-garden-tour-part-2/
Edmonton Edible Garden Tour Part 1
Today was a day I have been looking forward to since this spring; the Edible Garden tour done right here in Edmonton, run by the Urban Farmer Ron Berezan. It’s an entire Saturday devoted to traveling around Edmonton looking at yards that have been transformed into more than lawn,
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/edmonton-edible-garden-tour-part-1/
Fruits of Our Labor
Ok, to be honest it’s mainly MY labor, but the kids do help water the garden. And Mike did build the garden beds, but to be frank I think his involvement and the claim for that is long gone. You can only coast so long on fumes, you know.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/fruits-of-our-labor/
My Lemon Boys
If it’s lemon, I love it. And these amazing Lemon Boy tomatoes are no exception.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/my-lemon-boys/
Let There Be Vegetables.
Out. Of. Control. But at least this year my brother didn’t kill most of my vegetable while we were on vacation. Ok, fine, to be fair it was the frost that decimated a lot of my vines. And this year that late snow did a fine job trying, and suceeding, with a lot again.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/let-there-be-vegetables/
Vegetables!
Ooh, things, they are a growing! Touch wood. This is Alberta after all, and snow could happen at any time.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/vegetables/
Honeyberries
I have honeyberries, and more than I initially thought! I wouldn’t call it a bumper crop, but between the three bushes there are enough for the whole family to have a few tastes.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/honeyberries/
I Need Leaves STAT!
Please please please! I have already asked a few of you this morning, so ignore this post. But for those of you I didn’t hunt down online this morning:
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/i-need-leaves-stat/
Peppers N’ Peonies
What I really like about the new site design is that you can completely ignore my home and garden section, if you are so inclined.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/peppers-n-peonies/
Wine, Boredom & Camera
I am bored, so I thought I would post a picture of the side flower bed and what’s in it. Enjoy. I am sure you are so thrilled that I am posting MORE flower pictures.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/wine-boredom-camera-what-you-see-below/
DK Container Contest 2010
I review a lot of DK books on my other website, The Super Mom, and came across this contest that should interest a lot of readers of this site.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/dk-container-contest-2010/
I CAN Be Taught
Or maybe not. Maybe I just can’t learn a lesson. But golly gee, look at me.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/i-can-be-taught/
Rain Rain, Go Away…
I am starting to feel like I live on the West Coast. So does my Jacob’s ladder above. Ahem. I wish.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/rain-rain-go-away/
Things That Are Growing
My resilient sunflowers. Wanna know how to not have to buy seeds for next year? Leave the sunflowers out for the wild creatures all winter, and let them scatter the seeds for you.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/things-that-are-growing/
So Very Green…
The cool and rainy weather might have sucked for long weekend camping, but my plants have never been greener.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/so-very-green/
The Vegetable Garden
Is not done. But I gave it my all today to get in the plants that can stand this slightly chilly weather, because I need my house back.I would like to see through my windows instead of looking at plants blocking my view.
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/the-vegetable-garden/
Soccer & Planting The Same Season
Is Insane. And a man thought it up. Because no woman in her right mind would flippin’ say “oh, let’s cram in a sport three times a week as well as try to get things planted in time for some harvest in our 3 month summer.”
https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/who-made-soccer-planting-the-same-season/

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