Canning & Preserving Favourites
This is certainly a broad topic, as there are so many ways to preserve the harvest, we would argue every plant belongs here! From fruit sauce and leathers to jams, jelly, freezing, fermenting, canning, dehydrating and powdering, there are many characteristics to look for, which makes this collection quite large!
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Species: Prunus persica
History: These seedlings are grown from Redhaven peach seeds collected from mother trees growing in Ontario. Redhaven was released from Michigan State University in the 1940s and has remained one of the most popular peach varieties in the world.
Why We Grow It: Seedling fruit trees are a great way to add some diversity and mystery to your garden or orchard! We expect that seedling peaches will be even hardier trees than their parents! Redhaven has a stellar reputation due to its excellent flavour and attractive red skin. See our Redhaven product page here for more information.
Please Note: Since peaches tend to stay true to type more than apples, these seedlings will likely bear a strong resemblance to their parent variety. However, any specific information listed on this page should be taken with a grain of salt as there may be some variation from the parent tree.
Species: Prunus persica
History: These seedlings are grown from Reliance peach seeds collected from mother trees growing in Ontario. Reliance peaches were developed in a breeding program at the Agricultural Extension Station in New Hampshire and released in 1964.
Why We Grow It: Seedling fruit trees are a great way to add some diversity and mystery to your garden or orchard! We expect that seedling peaches will be even hardier trees than their parents! The parent variety, Reliance, is a cold hardy variety perfect for Canadian growers. The fruit tastes great and can be eaten fresh or used in baking and preserves.
Please Note: Since peaches tend to stay true to type more than apples, these seedlings will likely bear a strong resemblance to their parent variety. However, any specific information listed on this page should be taken with a grain of salt as there may be some variation from the parent tree.
History: Rescue was developed at Agriculture and Agri-food Canada's Scott Research Station in Scott, Saskatchewan and was released in 1933. It is an open-pollinated seedling of Blushed Calville.
Why We Grow It: Although the fruit is on the smaller side and doesn't keep well, Rescue has a good sweet-tart flavour that is good for fresh eating and is also good for cooking and preserves. This cold hardy applecrab is an excellent pollination partner for other apple trees.
History: This heirloom sweet cherry originates from Arkona, Ontario where it was developed and grown by Ed Richter.
Why We Grow It: As an Ontario bred and raised sweet cherry, Richter cherries are well-suited to growing in our local conditions. We were fortunate to acquire this variety just before the removal of some very old Richter trees.
Species: Crataegus chrysocarpa syn. C. rotundifolia
History: Round-Leaved Hawthorn (aka Fireberry Hawthorn) is native to much of Canada and the US. The berries are a source of food for various birds and rodents. Traditionally, the leaves, haws (berries), and flowers have been used as a heart medicine.
Why We Grow It: Round-Leaved Hawthorns are a great wildlife plant and make a lovely ornamental shrub as well. Although not great for eating fresh, the bright red haws can be used to make jam or jelly and can be made into tea along with the leaves and/or flowers. This adaptable, hardy shrub can tolerate a wide range of conditions.
Species: Hybrid of Rubus idaeobatus and Rubus occidentalis
History: Royalty was bred at the Geneva Experiment Station in Geneva, New York as a cross between red and black raspberries. It was released in 1982 and is the most popular purple raspberry variety on the market for both its productivity and sweetness.
Why We Grow It: Royalty is an excellent summer-bearing variety, producing ample crops of large (some get an inch long!), purple berries that are very sweet. Purple raspberries are a unique hybrid which can be picked while a little unripe and still red for a classic raspberry flavour or when fully ripe and purple for a sweeter taste more akin to black raspberries. Steph is impressed with the quality, flavour, and long harvest window of this variety.
Species: Prunus avium
History: These seedlings are grown from seeds from Sandra Rose sweet cherries sourced in Ontario. Sandra Rose was developed at the Summerland Research and Development Centre in BC.
Why We Grow It: Seedling fruit trees are a great way to add some diversity and mystery to your garden or orchard! Sandra Rose, the parent variety, produces large dark cherries with excellent flavour.
Please Note: Since sweet cherries tend to stay true to type more than apples, these seedlings will likely bear a strong resemblance to their parent variety. However, any specific information listed on this page should be taken with a grain of salt as there may be some variation from the parent tree.
Species: Prunus pumila var. besseyi (Western sandcherry) x P. salicina (Japanese Plum)
History: Sapa (translated as 'black' from Lakota) was developed at the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station in the US by renowned plant breeder N. E. Hansen and released in 1908. His goal was to create plants hardy enough to grow in the harsh, northern prairies and was one of the first people to start breeding chums. Hansen had a tendency to name his native plant crosses after words from indigenous cultures of the area, choosing the Lakota word for 'black' in this case due to the dark colour of the fruit.
Why We Grow It: This small, hardy shrub produces purplish fruit with mauve flesh that has a sweet flavour with some tartness. It is good for fresh eating along with a variety of other uses such as cooking, baking, and preserving. It is also quite productive and tends to start bearing fruit at a young age!
Species: Sambucus canadensis
History: Scotia was developed at the Kentville AAFC Research and Development Centre in Nova Scotia. It is a seedling of another variety, Adams 2, and was released by the research station in 1960, alongside the variety Nova. It is grown commercially in Canada.
Why We Grow It: Scotia elderberries ripen early in the season and have the highest sugar content of any named cultivar- though also some of the smallest berries. They are great for a variety of uses such as making juice and wine, baked goods, and even tinctures. Eating the raw elderberries can cause adverse reactions so it is recommended that you cook them first!
History: The history of the Seckel pear is somewhat contentious. It was said to have been named after a Mr. Seckel who discovered the variety growing as a sapling near Philadelphia in the late 1700s or early 1800s. Some say it is the only commercial American pear since it was thought to have been a wild seedling but others believe the tree sprouted from a seed left by German immigrants. Either way, this lovely little pear is still grown on a small scale across the States as a specialty fruit.
Why We Grow It: Although it is small in size, this heirloom is popular for eating fresh due to its high quality flavour. The skin is ruddy green with a pronounced red blush and the flesh is very sweet with a spicy flavour, which is why it's sometimes called 'Sugar Pear.' Aside from being excellent for fresh eating, this pear is great canned, pickled, and spiced. As an added bonus, the tree is resistant to fireblight.
Customer Suggestion: One of our wonderful customers shared a recipe for Pickled 'Sickle Pears' (aka Seckel) that had been passed down from his great grandmother. We haven't tested it out yet, but Seckel pears, brown sugar, cinnamon, vinegar and cloves, cooked and marinated, then pickled sounds very intriguing! Thanks for sharing David!
Species: Actinidia kolomikta
History: September Sun is a Russian variety that was selected for its ample crops of large fruit. Its Russian name is Sentyabraskaya which translates to 'September' in English with a bit of a feminine sound to the name.
Why We Grow It: September Sun is known for producing good-size crops of large, sweet fruits. These grape-like kiwis are a delightful treat for any yard, especially for growers in a colder area! It is also a great ornamental plant, featuring pinkish-white and green variegated leaves.
Species: Prunus sp
History: These seedlings are grown from Shiro plum seeds collected from our orchard and a Niagara orchard. Shiro plums (translated from Japanese as 'white') were developed in California and introduced in 1899.
Why We Grow It: Seedling fruit trees are a great way to add some diversity and mystery to your garden or orchard! The parent variety, Shiro, has yellow skin and flesh that is juicy and sweet.
Please Note: Since plums tend to stay true to type more than apples, these seedlings will likely bear a strong resemblance to their parent variety. However, any specific information listed on this page should be taken with a grain of salt as there may be some variation from the parent tree.
Species: Shepherdia argentea
History: Silver Buffaloberries are native to the southern parts of the prairies, parts of the northern US with scattered populations further south. It is an important source of food and habitat for many species including Saskatchewan's provincial bird the sharp-trailed grouse. It is traditionally used by indigenous peoples in its range as food, seasoning, medicine, dyes, and in coming-of-age ceremonies for girls.
Why We Grow It: Silver Buffaloberries are an excellent addition to native gardens, food forests, and hedgerows! They are tolerant of a wide array of conditions and are also nitrogen-fixing. These shrubs are some of the first to produce flowers each spring, making them good resource for pollinators. The berries, which are often red but may be orange or yellow, are a good source of food for birds later in the season. The edible berries are on the bitter/tart side but are much more enjoyable when made into jams, jellies, and pies! Just be mindful these shrubs are thorny and will spread over time.
History: Skeena was developed at the Summerland Research and Development Centre in British Columbia in 1976 as part of an initiative to create a high quality cherry that ripens later in the season than other varieties. It is a cross between several self-pollinating varieties and was introduced in 2000.
Why We Grow It: These dark red cherries are often considered an improvement over Lapins with their larger size, good firmness, and general ease of harvest due to the spreading way the tree grows. The flavour is sweet with a touch of acidity. The tree itself grows vigorously and tends to start bearing fruit at a young age.
Species: Amelanchier alnifolia (aka Western Serviceberry)
History: Smokey (sometimes spelled Smoky) likely originated in Alberta. This productive variety was once the main cultivar grown in Canada commercially.
Why We Grow It: Smokey saskatoon berries are optimal for the fresh eating market with a mild sweet flavour. These berries are a great substitute for blueberries. Smokey is one of the best yielding varieties, and grows up to 12 feet tall. Saskatoons by nature are slow growing, and while they will bear fruit in 1-3 years, it can take up to 15 years for a full crop.
Photo by Cindy Malette from Burst
Species: Vitis labrusca x Vitis riparia x Vitis vinifera, and small amounts of other species of different Vitis from North America
History: Bred by Elmer Swenson in Wisconsin, Somerset is one of numerous varieties he created for growing in our cooler North American climates. This cultivar has become increasingly popular in recent years and has good potential for commercial growing. The variety was released in 2002.
Why We Grow It: One of the hardiest, highest quality seedless grape varieties out there, this is an excellent table grape: sweet, spicy, with strong notes of strawberry. The grapes have beautiful pink flushed skin and are most decadent if allowed to sit on a sunny window sill for a week or so after harvest. Although the fruit is on the smaller to medium end of the scale, the vines produce large, heavy clusters that more than compensate for the size of the individual grapes. The grapes have a firm texture with some crunch.
SPECIAL PRODUCT:
This year we have extra Pawpaw seeds that are already sprouted!! Take advantage and plant your own pawpaw's this spring!
Only available until 4:30pm today (May 14th)! All remaining seed orders will be shipped out on Monday, May 18th. Orders may ship separately from other plant orders if you have more than one order. If picking up, we recommend planning your pickup appointment ASAP after receiving your notification that your seeds are ready.
Species: Asimina triloba
History: Native to southern Ontario where it is considered a vulnerable species and the central United States, it is believed the range of these trees has shrunk with the extinction of megafauna that likely dispersed the seeds. These oddly tropical fruits have been cultivated by indigenous peoples and European colonizers alike, it is rumoured chilled pawpaw was George Washington's favourite dessert and Thomas Jefferson planted some at Monticello. Although popular among locals and with foragers, pawpaws have failed to achieve any kind of commercial success due to their poor keeping ability and oft difficult pollination.
Why We Grow It: The Pawpaw produces very unique fruit that has a distinct tropical banana/mango flavour and custard-like texture. As it oxidizes fairly quickly once cut open, it is best eaten fresh once fully ripe or made into sauces, ice cream, etc. You can bake and cook with pawpaw like you would with bananas but please take note that some people have reported extreme tummy troubles after consuming cooked pawpaws! Pawpaws have a very slow growth habit and grow naturally as an understory tree, usually not reaching over 35 feet. We grow them from seed for increased hardiness compared to grafted stock.
History: Stella sweet cherries were developed by the Summerland Research and Development Centre in British Columbia in 1956 by K.O. Lapins, after whom Lapins cherries are named. These cherries were named and released in 1968, becoming the first named variety of self-pollinating sweet cherries. They have since become very popular, especially in the UK, and have been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Why We Grow It: The Royal Horticultural Society was right to commend Stella. These large cherries have skin that is shiny yet extremely dark red, creating a feast for the eyes as well as the mouth! The flesh is medium firm and has a lovely sweet flavour, great for fresh eating as well as canning. Stella is self-pollinating and makes an excellent pollinator for other varieties.
Species: Rubus parviflorus
History: Thimbleberries are a native plant closely related to raspberries and blackberries. Cultivated for edible, ornamental, and ecological reasons today, they have also historically been used by indigenous peoples as a source of food and medicine.
Why We Grow It: This is an excellent under-story plant that produces smaller, flatter berries than cultivated raspberries, but with a delicious sweet-tart flavour. Apparently young shoots can be harvested in spring, lightly peeled, and then boiled for an asparagus-like 'vegetable'- we haven't tried this yet, but would love to hear from you if you have! The thornless bush grows up to 7 feet tall, though can be kept smaller with pruning/trellising/tying down. The fruit grows best on 2-3 year old canes unlike raspberries, which makes this an ideal plant for living fences.
Species: Ribes nigrum
History: Titania black currant was developed by Pal Tamas in Sweden. It was bred as a cross between the varieties Consort, Kayaanin Musta, and Altaskaya Dessertnaya in 1969 and chosen for further evaluation in 1974. Since its release it has become one of the most popular currants in North America.
Why We Grow It: It is easy to see why Titania has become so popular. It produces large, juicy berries with a rich, mild flavour. It is also resistant to White Pine Blister Rust and mildew. The berries are great for a variety of uses, such as the black currant scones and black currant and blueberry tarts Steph made (see pictures)!
History: Toka is a hybrid of an American plum (Prunus americana) and a Japanese plum (Prunus salicina) that was created by Dr. N.E. Hansen who is known for his extensive career in developing cold hardy plant varieties. He developed Toka at the South Dakota Experiment Station and introduced it in 1911. It is unclear what 'Toka' translates to in English but 'toka' can mean 'etc/among other things' or 'river crossing' in Japanese
Why We Grow It: Toka is also known as Bubblegum plum due to its flavour and smell which bears an uncanny resemblance to bubblegum. These plums are incredibly aromatic, and will fill your kitchen with their perfumed scent as they sit out to ripen. The semi-clingstone fruit features deep red skin and bright yellow flesh that is firm but juicy. It is good for fresh eating or preserving.
Species: Vaccinium angustifolium
History: Top Hat lowbush blueberry was released by the Michigan State University Agricultural Experiment Station some time before the mid to late 1970s.
Why We Grow It: This variety produces small berries with a rich sweet-tart flavour. It is a popular pick for bonsai and container gardening. Blueberries are great for baking, for example Steph made some wonderful black currant and blueberry tarts that are pictured here!
For the most up-to-date information see Claude Jolicoeur's website here!
History: This particular iteration of Trail, previously referred to as Bilodeau, has a bit of a messy history. A Trail crabapple tree was mislabeled at a Quebec nursery in the 1980s and sold to an unknowing customer named Claude Bilodeau who thought he was purchasing a pear tree. Later on Claude Jolicoeur, well-known Quebecois cider-maker and pomologist, took a cutting from this tree and found that the fruit (definitely not a pear!) was excellent for making cider. Since it was still a mystery what the original variety was, the crabapple was named Bilodeau by Jolicoeur after the owner of the tree - only for Paul Kron from the University of Guelph to confirm that it was actually Trail via DNA testing in 2022. The Trail crab was bred at Ottawa from a cross of Northern Queen x Rideau, it was selected in 1913 and introduced in 1920.
Why We Grow It: Despite the confusion, we are regardless happy to have this apple in our catalogue! This bittersharp cider apple has excellent cider-making qualities and, unlike most crabapples, is also great when eaten fresh or made into jelly!
Species: Rubus fruticosis
History: Triple Crown was bred in Beltsville, Maryland by the USDA in order to create a good thornless variety for commercial sale. It was released in 1998 and was named Triple Crown due to its three crowning qualities: good flavour, high yields, and vigour.
Why We Grow It: Triple Crown produces large, glossy berries that are sweet and tart. It bears fruit uniformly and the canes are thornless, making the berries very easy to pick. They are good for fresh eating and great for baking.
Species: Hybrid, contains Vitis labrusca and Vitis riparia
History: Trollhaugen is one of several varieties created by grape breeder Elmer Swenson in Wisconsin as part of an effort to create more grape varieties that can be grown in our cooler North American climates. It was developed by Swenson in 1985 and released in 2000, although the variety was named by David McGregor, the first winemaker to market wine in Minnesota. Trollhaugen translates from Norwegian as 'troll mound' but it is possibly named for the Trollhaugen ski resort in Wisconsin.
Why We Grow It: These Concord-like grapes have a mild, sweet flavour and are seedless. The vine is very vigorous and cold hardy, and produces medium clusters of small to medium grapes. Excellent for the home orchard!
Species: Rubus idaeus
History: Tulameen was bred at the Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre in 1980 and released in 1990. It was selected for its disease resistance, long ripening period, large fruit, and excellent flavour and quality. The name likely comes from either the Tulameen River or the town of Tulameen in BC, although it also means 'red earth' in Nlakaʼpamuctsin.
Why We Grow It: Tulameen is a summer-bearing variety that is known for producing large crops of huge red raspberries that are very sweet and jammy! The exceptionally tall canes may require some trellising but have very few thorns which makes handling them much easier than other varieties.
Species: Lonicera caerulea
History: Tundra was developed at the University of Saskatchewan and released in 2010. It was selected for its large size, good flavour, and, perhaps most importantly, its firmness. The large, firm berries made the variety well-suited for commercial growing and harvesting.
Why We Grow It: Tundra produces large, elongated berries with a sweet and tangy flavour. The berries are firmer than other varieties which makes them a great option for mechanical harvesting in larger scale operations. Despite the firmness, they still have a pleasant texture and are great for all the usual haskap uses such as fresh eating, baking, or preserving.
History: Valentine was developed at the University of Saskatchewan and released in 2002 as part of the Romance series. Valentine stands out amongst the Romance series as having the reddest fruit and the highest vigour.
Why We Grow It: Valentine produces tart bright red cherries that are great for drying due to their colour. They are also excellent for baking, especially if you love cherry pie! If you prefer a sour flavour, pick the cherries as soon as they turn red on the bush. Otherwise, wait a week or so until the colour deepens and they will be a bit sweeter. Valentine gets taller than some of the other dwarf sour cherry bushes but has higher overall yields as a result.
Check our our blog post with some tasty sour cherry recipes!
History: Veecot apricots were one of several developed at Vineland, Ontario to survive in a southern Ontario climate.
Why We Grow It: This apricot is an intense dark orange colour when ripe and the flesh is juicy and smooth-textured. It has a pleasant sweet taste that is good for fresh eating and preserving.
History: Velvaglo was one of several varieties developed in Vineland, Ontario, in an effort to create apricots that could survive in our southern Ontario climate.
Why We Grow It: Velvaglo produces high quality fruit with juicy, flavourful flesh. This variety is a good choice for farmer's markets or roadside sales as well as canning.