Tomato Dirt Newsletter
Volume 11, Number 24

Dear Tomato Dirt reader,

Welcome back to Tomato Dirt! A couple times a month, we’ll send you this newsletter packed with tips about growing tomatoes and using them.

Canners and Dehydrators Make Great Gifts

Canners and dehydrators make great gifts.

Plus, if you’re looking for other gift ideas for gardeners or if you want to make a list for Santa, check out other handy kitchen gear like scales, drying racks, pickling crocks, tomato presses, kitchen snips … even cheese making kits and other DIY kits from our good friends at Garden Supply.

They’ve also got plenty of tutorials you can use to DIY dried flowers … storing apples … making pepper jelly or tomato chutney or your own Bloody Mary mix.

Browse the dozens of different check out the kitchen and gardening gadgets offered to Tomato Dirt readers from our friends at Gardener’s Supply. Have fun!

Tomato Dirt is on Pinterest

FEATURE: Gifts for Gardeners, Part 2 – How to Choose a Food Canner or Dehydrator

Image: Tomato Dirt

If you or someone you know likes fresh tomatoes and other fresh fruits and vegetables, then a canner or a dehydrator is a great gift. Both canners and dehydrators come at a range of price points and with different features.

Which should you choose? Here’s the dirt.

• Food canners. There are two types of tomato canners most commonly used in processing tomatoes from the home garden: pressure canner and boiling water bath canner (also called hot water bath canners). There are advantages to each. Food canners explained here.

• Food dehydrators. A food dehydrator is a device used to dry foods. There are three kinds of food dehydrators: solar-powered, home-food dehydrators, and commercial dehydrators. Home and commercial dehydrators are both electrical. All three kinds operate on the same principle: they remove water from food. But all three have advantages. Food dehydrators explained here.

Check out FAQs for canning tomatoes and FAQs for drying tomatoes …

… and get more fun ideas on our Tomato Dirt Pinterest Board.

Best Tips for Growing Tomatoes: Bestseller in 89 Countries

You’ll be able to diagnose pest and disease problems using step by step priceless information, illustrated with 260 full color photos.

Get the book and you’ll also get 6 free bonuses, including the Family Tomato Cookbook and a database of 1300 varieties of tomatoes. More details here.

Tomato Growing Tip: What Kinds of Tomatoes Are Best for Canning?

Image: Tomato Dirt

Get more tips for growing tomatoes on our Tomato Growing Tips Pinterest board.

Build a Shed In A Weekend Even If With Zero Woodworking Experience

It’s autumn. And that’s a perfect time to build the shed you’ve been dreaming about.

And now you can get Ryan’s Shed Plans at a special discount. (Check it out here.)

Ryan Henderson has taught more than 4,000 people to build professional looking sheds. He has even taught absolute newbies – those without ANY experience at all.

Each of his plans includes a complete materials list, step-by-step directions, and photos and instructions. No extra trips to Home Depot or Lowe’s. You won’t be guessing whether you’ve got it right not.

Why not take time this fall to build the shed you’ve wanted and needed … and save a bundle in the process?

Check out Ryan’s Shed Plans here.

More about Canners and Dehydrators