Canning Season Is Year-Round

Some people might think canning season ends in August, but around here, my jars never get a break. Sure, summer brings tomatoes and pickles, but November and December are for cranberries, cinnamon, and all the cozy things that make the house smell like home. Canning isn’t a seasonal activity for me — it’s just the way I live, one season at a time.

When most people think of canning, they picture baskets of garden-fresh produce and long summer days spent in a warm kitchen. But canning goes far beyond those busy months. It’s a way to make the most of what each season offers — and to have a little taste of home ready for every day of the year.

This post includes affiliate links. Some products were received to facilitate this post.

Canning Season Is Year-Round

Winter Flavors: Cranberries and Spice

As soon as the holidays roll around, I start stocking up on cranberries. I buy several bags while they’re in season so I can make homemade cranberry juice that lasts all year long. There’s nothing quite like pouring a glass of something you made yourself — especially when you can’t find fresh cranberries again until next November.

Alongside my cranberry juice, I always have a batch of ginger, cinnamon, and clove tea in my refrigerator or simmering on the stove. The scent alone is enough to make the house feel peaceful. I keep it ready in the refrigerator so I can add a splash to my ice water or warm it up each morning while I read my devotional (I’m currently re-reading Ritchie Hale’s Treasured Quiet Moments — a perfect way to start the day).

How I Make Ginger-Cinnamon-Clove Tea:

• Add a handful of whole cloves, two cinnamon sticks, and a few slices of fresh chopped ginger to a pot of water.
• Let it simmer slowly for several hours.
• Strain the mixture and pour it into a couple of mason jars.

Get 12 Free Denali Canning Lids—Just Pay Shipping!
Experience the quality of Denali lids for yourself with no commitment or strings attached. Simply add a 12-pack to your cart, cover the shipping, and see why so many home canners are making the switch to Denali. It’s the perfect way to stock your pantry and test our canning line risk-free!

Fall and Summer Favorites

October is all about apples — especially homemade apple pie filling. It’s one of those jars that makes me smile every time I see it lined up on the shelf because I know it’ll become a quick dessert when the weather turns cold.

Summer, of course, is the heart of canning season. That’s when I’m filling jars with tomatoes, pickles, and peaches. Cinnamon pickles are one of my favorites. They’re a lot of work, but when Christmas comes around and I can pull out a jar of sweet, spicy pickles to serve alongside holiday meals, it feels worth every minute.

And when the temperature drops? A pot of vegetable soup made with home-canned veggies or a bowl of beans paired with a skillet of cornbread hits the spot on a chilly, rainy night.

Why I Keep Canning

For some people, canning might just be a nostalgic hobby or a passing trend. But for me, it’s simply how I live. There’s a deep sense of satisfaction that comes from filling shelves with food I grew, preserved, and stored myself. Each jar is a reminder of hard work, good soil, and the changing seasons that make life rich and full.

Even when I’m not actively canning, my mason jars stay busy. I use them to store herbs, sugar, flour, and other dry goods — just don’t forget to label everything! A simple Sharpie on the lid does the trick.

A Quick Note on Lids

I’ve always trusted Ball canning lids and rings, but this year I’m branching out and trying Denali Canning lids. I never reuse lids for actual canning since a good seal is too important to risk, but I do save them for storing dry goods and refrigerator leftovers. Again — label, label, label! It saves so much guessing later.

Canning isn’t just about filling jars — it’s about slowing down, using what you have, and savoring the flavors of each season. Whether it’s a pot of spicy tea in December or a jar of sweet peaches in July, every lid that seals feels like a small victory and a promise of something good waiting for the next season.