Idaho Southside Farmstead

08/27/2026

Still swimming in tomatoes and peppers? Before you can another batch, let's talk about the step most home canners skip.

Tomatoes have a reputation for being "acidic enough" to can safely on their own. That's not always true — depending on the variety, pH can drift into unsafe territory. Skipping added acid isn't a shortcut, it's a botulism risk.

The rule: bottled lemon juice or citric acid, every jar, every time. Doesn't matter what grandma used to do.

Dehydrating or freeze-drying instead? Don't stop at the beep. Most people forget "conditioning" — shaking jars daily for 7-10 days so hidden moisture pockets show themselves before they turn into mold.

I laid out the whole process — acidification chart, dehydrating temps, why oil-packing can be dangerous, plus my tomato powder trick that replaces a whole shelf of canned paste — on the blog. Link below.

And if you like tracking what worked and what didn't season to season, the Garden Harmony Diary has spots for planting dates, weather, and watering routines — link in comments.
https://idaho-southside-farmstead.myshopify.com/blogs/news/tomato-pepper-harvest-safety-the-preserving-guide-that-stops-mold-botulism-and-wasted-work
Counter status check: what's piling up on yours right now? 👇

08/27/2026

🍅 Your counters are buried in tomatoes and peppers right now — and one skipped step could ruin the whole batch.

Here's the truth: tomatoes aren't as acidic as most people think. Depending on the variety, their pH can creep above the safe zone, which means canning without adding acid isn't optional — it's a real botulism risk.

The fix is simple: add bottled lemon juice or citric acid to every jar, every time. Never skip it, even if grandma didn't.

And if you're dehydrating or freeze-drying? The dryer beeping doesn't mean you're done. Most people miss the "conditioning" step — shaking your jar daily for 7-10 days to catch hidden moisture pockets before they turn into mold.

I broke down the full safe-preserving process (acidification chart, dehydrating temps, oil-packing dangers, and my tomato powder trick that replaces a whole shelf of canned paste) on the blog
https://idaho-southside-farmstead.myshopify.com/blogs/news/tomato-pepper-harvest-safety-the-preserving-guide-that-stops-mold-botulism-and-wasted-work

And if you're the type who wants to track what worked and what didn't for next season, I put together a Garden Harmony Diary with sections for planting dates, weather notes, and watering routines — link in comments 🌱

What's overflowing on your counter right now? Tell me below 👇

Your counters are buried in tomatoes and peppers right now. Before you can, dehydrate, or oil-pack any of it, there are three mistakes that ruin a season's harvest — and they're all avoidable in under five minutes of prep per batch. Why Tomatoes Aren't as Acidic as You Think Tomatoes are technical...

08/19/2026

🌡️ Still watering your garden every single day and losing the battle to Zone 6/7 summer heat?

There's a better way. My latest post breaks down exactly how to cut your outdoor water waste by up to 90% — without babysitting a hose all August.

Inside you'll find:
🌿 The drought-tolerant plants that actually thrive in our heat (Russian Sage, Karl Foerster Grass & more)
💧 Smart controller picks that water FOR you, based on real weather
🏺 A step-by-step DIY guide to building your own terracotta olla (an ancient trick that cuts water loss by 90%)
🌧️ The exact formula to size a rain garden for your roof

Whether you're chasing a lower water bill or just tired of dragging a hose around at 7am — this one's for you.

👉 Read the full guide: https://idaho-southside-farmstead.myshopify.com/blogs/news/modern-water-saving-solutions-fo-usda-zones-6b-7b

08/12/2026

🌿 Your August garden to-do list is here (before frost sneaks up on you)

Treasure Valley heat is still on, but the moves you make this month decide how your garden survives the first frost. Deep watering timing, what to stop feeding, yellowjacket + elm seed bug watch, and when to actually divide those perennials — all in one spot. Organic-first.

👉 https://blogs/news/your-august-garden-to-do-list-treasure-valley-edition-usda-zones-6b-7b

08/07/2026

Stop overpaying for weak, single-season potting soil! 🌿✨

Making your own 2.5 cubic foot batch of rich, high-fertility Black Potting Mix is easier than you think—and it sets your seedlings up with massive root systems before they ever hit the ground.

Here’s what goes into our blend (adapted from Daniel Mays' The No-Till Organic Vegetable Farm):
🔹 Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss
🔹 Alfalfa Meal, Kelp Meal, Blood Meal & Super Phosphate
🔹 Sifted Compost & Perlite

Want the exact proportions, batch mixing steps, and the reusable tray alternative we use to avoid landfill plastic?

👉 Grab the full step-by-step recipe on our farmstead blog: https://idaho-southside-farmstead.myshopify.com/blogs/news/seedling-organic-potting-mix

Save this post for your next planting weekend! 📌

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A high-performance organic seedling potting mix recipe adapted from Daniel Mays, with ingredient picks reviewed for best price per ounce and quality ratings.

08/05/2026

If your seedlings look weak, spindly, or stall out after transplanting, your bagged potting soil might be costing you your whole harvest. 🛑🌱

I used to cut corners here—grab whatever cheap mix was on sale and hope for the best. But weak roots early on carry a deficit through the entire season. A stronger root system at week 2 means fewer lost plants at week 6.

We switched to a custom, high-fertility "Black Potting Mix" (adapted from Daniel Mays’ no-till organic methods), and the difference in root density and transplant shock was night and day.

💡 BONUS: The fertility ingredients come in bulk bags, so one purchase sets you up for multiple custom batches and bed amendments all season long.

We put together the exact 2.5 cu. ft. recipe breakdown, sifting steps, and our favorite heavy-duty reusable trays on the blog!

📄 Read the full recipe here: https://idaho-southside-farmstead.myshopify.com/blogs/news/seedling-organic-potting-mix

What’s your go-to trick for jumpstarting seedlings in the spring? Drop it in the comments below! 👇

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A high-performance organic seedling potting mix recipe adapted from Daniel Mays, with ingredient picks reviewed for best price per ounce and quality ratings.

06/28/2026

Sunday plans? Pull up to Danelion Brewery in Melba this Sunday, June 28th from 1-5 PM! We are setting up a booth exclusively featuring our artisanal gourmet popcorn. Perfectly crunchy and scratch-made, it goes fast wherever we set up shop.

Come out for the good vibes, grab a cold drink, and claim your bag before our event inventory disappears for the day!

06/28/2026

New batch alert! 🍿

Catch us this today from 1-5 PM at the Danelion Brewery Sip & Shop in Melba. We are bringing our customer-favorite gourmet popcorn, freshly popped and ready for your weekend. It’s the ultimate sweet and savory snack to enjoy with live music and local brews.

Supplies are strictly limited for this event, so come grab yours before we sell out!

06/27/2026

Freshly popped and packed! 🍿

We're heading out to Danelion Brewery in Melba this Sunday, June 28th from 1-5 PM for the Sip & Shop! We'll have a booth fully stocked with our scratch-made gourmet popcorn—the perfect crunch to pair with a cold craft brew. These small batches are limited and sell out fast at events, so come grab a bag early while we're there! Danelion Brewery

06/27/2026

Looking for a perfect gift, add Idaho only products!

Stop by on your commute tonight and grab your favorite scents before the basket is empty!
Address: The RED farmstand @5737 Southside Rd Nampa Idaho 83686
Hours: Self Serve~ We take Venmo, Cards, and Cash