SHIFTING ROOTS

home, garden, food, and prairie lifestyle

  • About
    • Contact
    • Work With Me
    • Features
    • Privacy Policy
  • Blog
  • Gardening
    • How to Start a Garden: Especially if you’re in Zone 3 or Zone 2
    • Seed Starting
    • Vegetable Gardening
    • Perennials
    • Cut Flowers
    • Small Space Gardening
  • Recipes
    • Canning
    • Preserving
    • Prairie Fruits Cookbook
    • The Best Pumpkin Recipes
    • How to Make a Tempting Christmas Cookie Tray (Plus Recipes!)
  • Popular Posts
  • E-Books
    • Pretty & Practical Garden Planner
    • Cut Flowers Made Simple
    • Constant Colour Perennial Garden
    • Small Garden, Big Harvest
    • Growing Roots Online Gardening Course
    • Frost Proof Flower Garden
    • Bouquets Made Beautiful
    • Savvy Seed Saving Annual Cut flowers
    • Prairie Fruits Cookbook
    • Online Gardening Consultations
  • Seasons
    • Christmas

28 Hardy Fruits You Can Grow in Zone 2 and 3

February 10, 2020

Are you dreaming of a backyard orchard or food forest but think that because you’re in zone 2 or zone 3 you’re restricted to crab apples? Absolutely not!  There are 28 hardy perennial fruits you can grow that are perfect for a cold climate and short growing season. I’ve done my best to suggest some better varieties when possible.

When you’re done reading about perennial fruits, you can also grow these 6 annual fruits from seed for even more fruit production.

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase something, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can read more about it in my privacy policy. Thanks for supporting Shifting Roots!

[Read more…]
Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

www.shiftingroots.com

36 Comments
Filed Under: Backyard Florist, Fruit Season, Gardening Tagged: apple, apricot, berries, blackberry, blueberry, crab apple, elderberry cranberry, goji berry, hardy fruit trees, haskap, kiwi, nanking cherry, pear, plum, raspberry, sand cherry, sour cherry, strawberry, wolf berry

Homemade Strawberry Rhubarb Jam with Pectin

August 1, 2019

As a child, my favourite jam without question was strawberry jam. I loved my grandma’s homemade jam and I slathered it thick on fresh slices of homemade bread. However, once I became an adult, strawberry jam kind of tasted. . . bland. I wondered how I loved it so much as a kid, but not as an adult?

Delicious strawberry rhubarb jam made with pectin using water bath canning.

Then I added rhubarb to my strawberry jam and everything changed.

It’s a funny thing when you add rhubarb. You can make strawberry rhubarb jam with mostly rhubarb and only a bit of strawberries, and it will still taste like strawberry–only better. Rhubarb adds just enough of a sweet tang to keep adult tastebuds happy, and kid tastebuds are none the wiser.

Thinking back, I wonder if my grandma added rhubarb and just never told me?

Yield: Approximately 6 small jars

Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

Ingredients

  • 4 cups chopped rhubarb
  • 2 cups sliced strawberries
  • 5 cups white sugar
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 package pectin

Instructions

  1. Chop rhubarb into small pieces, and core and slice strawberries.
  2. Sterilize jars you'll be using for canning be either boiling for 10 minutes, running through a bottle sterilizer, or cooking in the oven for 10 minutes at 275 degrees Fahrenheit. Boil the lids and rings in water for 10 minutes.
  3. Cook rhubarb, strawberries, sugar and lemon juice in a tall pot. Mash with a potato masher as fruit softens.
  4. Cook on medium high heat, stirring frequently. Add the pectin when the mixture boils.
  5. The pectin package says to boil for one minute, but I frequently find that my jam never sets with that short of a boil. I suggest boiling for 3-5 minutes.
  6. Turn off heat and pour jam into sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace..
  7. Clean off any spillage on the rims with a clean cloth.
  8. Put on lids and secure with rims. Boil in water for 10 minutes. The water must be at least 1 inch over the top of the jars.
  9. Remove after 10 minutes and set jars on a clean towel. Do not tilt the jar as you remove it, as that could compromise the seal. Do not move jars for 24 hours.
  10. If you have any jars that don't seal, or a jar with too much headspace, put it in the fridge and use that one first.

Notes

If you live at a higher altitude, you will need to boil everything for longer to sterilize it. Please consult this guide.

New to making jam? You can watch how I make peach jam here. The recipe is obviously different, but the whole canning process is the same. Just ignore the frizzy hair, messy kitchen, crying baby, and silly seven year old. Or don’t, and let them encourage you that you’ve totally got this, even if you’re a beginner.


Do you just want the recipe without having to scroll to the bottom?

Get over 25 of them– using Saskatoon berries, sour cherries, raspberries, rhubarb and more. For a limited time its only $7–60% off the regular price!

Find out more or buy now!


Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

www.shiftingroots.com

13 Comments
Filed Under: Uncategorised Tagged: Canning, easy, jam, pectin, Preserving, rhubarb, strawberry

6 Hardy Fruits You Can Grow From Seed

January 15, 2019

When you live in a colder climate, it’s easy to think that your fruit growing options are limited. Not so! These six hardy fruits can be grown from seed in Canada or any colder zone. You can start these fruits indoors, then set them outside in your garden or in pots and containers once all risk of frost has passed.

Looking for hardy fruit trees instead? I’ve compiled a list of 28 hardy fruit trees that you can grow in zone 2 and zone 3.

Just because you live in a cold climate doesn't mean your options for growing fruit are limited!  Here's a list of six easy fruits you can grow from seed in your garden or in pots and containers in your backyard. #growingfruit #melons #gardening #hardyfruit #Canada #zone3

Cantaloupe (Muskmelon)

Nothing compares to the taste of a garden fresh cantaloupe. They’re so good you’ll have trouble sharing!! I personally look for varieties with the shortest date to maturity possible, as my growing season is short.

If you want muskmelon all summer, try planting Minnesota Midget (65 days), Halona (75 days) and Sugar Cube (80 days).

Cucamelon

Cucamelons are making a comeback in popularity and are a fun must-try fruit for the home gardener. You can eat them raw, or use them in stir fries, pickling, and salsas. Grow them on a trellis for easy picking.

Ground Cherries

Ground cherries look like tomatillos, but taste like tropical fruit. Use them in baking, jams, or even salsa.

Learn the Basics of Gardening in Just a Few Minutes

Gardening doesn't have to be complicated. Learn the basics in minutes, get started with your first garden in a day or less, and start your lifetime gardening adventure.

Enter your name and email address to download the Quick Start Garden Guide. You'll also get a mini-email course and weekly gardening tips and advice.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit

Honeydew

Honeydew seeds can be a little trickier to find in the seed catalogues, but they are well worth the effort. Try the Honey Mass Hybrid if you’re in a short season area.

Strawberries

Strawberries are usually sold as a root stock or started plant, but you can buy them from seed and start them yourself. Just don’t expect a lot of berries (if any) the year you start them.

If possible, choose a couple of different varieties so you’ll have an abundance of strawberries all summer. I like to have 3 varieties–an ever bearing variety that produces fruit all summer, and early one that produces sometime in June, and a later variety that produces in August.

Need some help starting your seeds from your window? Here’s how.

Watermelon

Watermelons are fun for kids (or those who like to overwater plants) to grow and are super delicious! Quetzali is a good almost seedless variety for small spaces, Sweet Beauty Hybrid will produce all summer, and Cream of Saskatchewan is a unique yellow heirloom variety that looks unique and tastes delicious.

That’s it! Know of any fruits from seed that grow in colder climates that I’ve missed? Let me know in the comments.

Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

www.shiftingroots.com

Leave a Comment
Filed Under: Fruit Season, Gardening, Simple & Easy Tagged: cantaloupe, cucamelon, ground cherry, growing fruit, hardy fruits, honeydew, melons, seeds, strawberry, watermelon

Tips and Tricks to Harvesting, Cleaning, and Preserving Berries

July 18, 2017

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. . . berry picking season!!  Saskatoon berries, sour cherries, strawberries, and raspberries are all in season these next few weeks.  Before you grab your straw hat and pail (or walk down to the fruit truck, we won’t judge) here’s some little tips and tricks to make the whole process smoother.

This post contains affiliate links.  If you purchase anything, I earn a small commission at no extra charge to you.  Thanks for your support!

Planning to harvest fresh berries this summer?  Before you start canning, freezing, and preserving your berries, read this first to make the whole process easier--especially if you're a beginner! #berries #summerberries #canning #harvesting #preserving #freezing #foodstorage #preservingfood #canning101

[Read more…]

Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

www.shiftingroots.com

4 Comments
Filed Under: Fruit Season, Tutorials, Use it up!, Zero Waste Tagged: berries, berry, picking, processing, raspberries, raspberry season, saskatoon berries, saskatoon berry, Sour cherries, Strawberries, strawberry, tips and tricks, tutorial

Strawberry Feta Salad: The Perfect Potluck Pleaser

May 4, 2017

I have a confession to make: I’m terrible at bringing food people like for potluck.  I don’t know what it is, but more often than not my food ends up languishing on the table, wishing somehow it could be the cool kid at the party.

Then one day my food got popular.  Strawberry Feta Salad is the kind of salad that has people coming back for more and begging to be the person who gets to finish the last little bit.  You might even–gasp!!–get asked for the recipe.

[Read more…]
Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

www.shiftingroots.com

9 Comments
Filed Under: Fruit Season, Recipes, Use it up! Tagged: chia seeds, dressing, feta, healthy, healthy eating, potluck, salad, strawberry, sunflower seeds, walnuts

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »

Grow roots with us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Welcome!

Hi, I'm Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

P.S. First time gardener? You'll want to download the quick start gardening guide below!

Recent Posts

  • How to Grow Eucalyptus for Cut Flowers (Even in a Short Growing Season!)
  • 26 Best Flowers to Grow for Dried Flower Arrangements
  • 17 Perennial Flowers That Love Shade
  • How to Design a Cut Flower Garden in Raised Beds
  • How to Start a Cut Flower Garden

Welcome!

Hi, I’m Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Connect with Shifting Roots On. . .

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Find What You’re Looking For. . .

Privacy Policy

Got the seed starting itch? There's some things y Got the seed starting itch?  There's some things you can actually seed start now and you won't end up with crazy leggy seedlings and endless problems.  In fact, these plants require that you start now, and need to be started in zone 3 by the end of February at the absolute latest.⁠
⁠
I've already started some lisianthus and eucalyptus, and am waiting on my seed orders to start some more.⁠
⁠
If you're starting a luffa sponge, make sure you have some sort of eventual plan for the vine.  last year mine went over my fall windows before I was able to take them outdoors.⁠
⁠
P.S. I've actually never started onions from seed, so if anyone wants to chin in about their experience, feel free!
Growing eucalyptus for the first time this year? Growing eucalyptus for the first time this year?  A new post is on the blog to walk you through it.  While in theory eucalyptus is easy to grow, it's challenging in my zone 3 garden for three reasons: ⁠
⁠
➡️It needs a long time to mature⁠
➡️I have a short growing season⁠
➡️I live in a cool climate, and eucalyptus grows better when its warm.⁠
⁠
That said, you can see by this picture that it can be done!!⁠
⁠
Are you growing eucalyptus this year?
Oh friends, if any of my nice, curated photos sums Oh friends, if any of my nice, curated photos sums up how this last week went, I think it's this one.  Babies crying, trying to stay calm, outwardly looking like it's all under control, but feeling very overwhelmed.⁠
⁠
This post isn't gardening related, so feel free to scroll by if you're here only for the gardening content.⁠
⁠
Thankfully it's January, and I keep reminding myself that the Internet will not break if I don't keep to my self-imposed posting schedule.  But it doesn't make a week full of teething-and-not-sleeping baby any easier. ⁠
⁠
Felicity slept through the night for the first time ever last Monday, then proceeded to punish us with frequent wakings and terrible sleep until Saturday.  And as tough as this is in regular times, in Covid times its extra frustrating because I don't have my village.⁠
⁠
I can't just call up another Mama friend and go for coffee at her house.  I can't take my son out for a Mommy-and-Dominic date because everything he'd want to do isn't really much of an option.  There's no playgroup or play place to just drop in on.  And forget just taking everybody out to get groceries just for a change of scenery.⁠
⁠
I know people have way more serious problems than this, and I hope I don't sound whiny and entitled, it's not my intention.  Please know that I'm very grateful for my family and job and that so far we've been healthy. ⁠
⁠
A lot of you who follow me do so in part because you are also juggling life with very little people through this strange time.  I hope that in occasionally sharing my struggles, it makes you feel better about your struggles. (You're struggling too sometimes. . . right?)
Do you tend to plan out your garden to the nth deg Do you tend to plan out your garden to the nth degree, do you just wing it, or are you somewhere in-between?⁠
⁠
I tend to plan it all out, and then when I actually get out in the field, so to speak, the plan changes a little bit. ⁠
⁠
If you need a garden planner that's both pretty & practical, my garden planner is available in the ebooks section.  It's only $9 and has lots of upgrades from the previous planner.  Use code CANADA if you're Canadian to account for the exchange.⁠
⁠
P.S. You can see exactly what you're getting in the video--no surprises. ⁠
P.P.S  I get my planner bound and printed at a printing place.  Lots of people just print their own and put the sheets in a binder.
Are you gardening in containers this year? When y Are you gardening in containers this year?  When you're shopping for vegetable seeds, look for varieties that have names with words like patio, tiny, small, etc.  While lots of vegetable varieties will do fine in a container, you'll have an easier time with ones that are specifically bred for that situation.⁠
⁠
📸 by @blushbrandphotography
I'm living the pepper dream in this photo. While I'm living the pepper dream in this photo.  While these ones are a bit on the small side, who doesn't want ripe peppers in July in zone 3?!?! ⁠
⁠
Over the years I've gotten better at growing peppers, and I promise I'll spill my secrets in February when it's actually time to start them.  Until then, get yourself all or one of my four favourite varieties: ⁠
⁠
🌶️Carmen⁠
🌶️Escamillo⁠
🌶️Candy Stripe⁠
🌶️Hungarian Hot Wax⁠
⁠
Do you have a favourite pepper variety?⁠
⁠
Have you flipped open a seed catalogue lately? It Have you flipped open a seed catalogue lately?  It's so easy to get completely overwhelmed, especially if you're new to gardening.  Why are there so many varieties of everything and which ones do I choose?⁠
⁠
Here's how I try to narrow it down.⁠
⁠
🌤️ Short growing season like me?  Try and prioritize varieties that have short dates to maturity.⁠
🥗 What do you or your family actually eat?  While I think you should always try a couple of new things, there's no sense in planting a giant garden filled with vegetables that you're not going to cook with. ⁠
🥒 Do you care whether your vegetables are heirlooms or hybrids?  Heirlooms are the kind that have been around for 50+ years and you can save seeds from.  Believe it or not, this year we're prioritizing hybrids for some of our garden.  The Hermit @mgsraney is obsessed with production this year, so anything that's going in "his" greenhouse better be able to produce a lot.  I'm using more heirlooms in my "glamour garden" as we call it, because I want things that are pretty and I can save seeds from.⁠
⁠
What do you prioritize when you're picking out seeds?⁠
Load More… Follow on Instagram

Theme Design By Studio Mommy · Copyright © 2021

Copyright © 2021 · Beyond Madison Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in