Gardening/home canning

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Started my transplants the other day; they now sit in the south facing bay window waiting to sprout (tomatoes, cucumbers, and green peppers).
Making plans for the garden this year, and thinking about trying to get some more plots from friends and neighbors to do a little 'share cropping": let me plant on your land, I'll do the weeding, and I'll give you half of what grows.
Last year I put in potatoes for the first time, and they did well. I'm planning on putting in tomatoes, green peppers, green beans, squash, lettuce, spinach and onions this year.

Every year, my wife and I have canned tomatoes. Last year our neighbor gave use some peaches and pears from their ornamental trees, and we canned those as well. They turned out pretty good! I have also done salmon and soup in the past, and I'm thinking about trying meats in the future.

I remember Grandma & my Mom canning in the fall: pickles, beets, green beans, carrots, peaches, pears, tomatoes,........the pantry was just awash with various colors in glass jars. Grandma canned the surplus because my granddad worked on the car ferry, and in the winter it closed, so it helped with the family budget. Mom canned because dad was a minister and didn't make much money, and it helped with the family budget.

My wife and I can because we enjoy it, it's part of our past, and it helps save some money. Also, it is one of those 'skills' that seems to become 'lost' with every successive generation.

Anyone else here garden, or do home canning?