Grapes - for canning - what is a good price and where to buy?

[anaj06]

I have started canning and know where to get my apples (Henderonsville, NC - apple country) and peaches (Gilbert SC - Peach country) by the bushel.

Where do I do this with grapes in the South East? I know wine country is around Winston Salem however can you buy grapes there and if so, how much?

Thank so much for any info...

[Ashenstar]

I'm planning on getting into canning too. I had NO idea you could can grapes!
Sorry I don't have any help for you. Hopefully someone replies soon.

[anaj06]

I'm planning on getting into canning too. I had NO idea you could can grapes!
Sorry I don't have any help for you. Hopefully someone replies soon.

I am wanting to make grape jam with the grapes. I am sure there are other options too.

Since this is my first year (My MIL bought me the stuff for my b-day and is going to show me how), I am going to do: applesauce, apple butter, apple pieces in syrup, peach slices in syrup and grape jam). These are the thing my family eats the most of. I'll add to it next year. I'd like to do tomato too.

It seems expensive this year because I am going to have to buy all the jars but that is a one time expense:)

Good luck to you!

[Abbybob]

I don't have an answer for you, but grape jelly is super easy to make. You'll want concord grapes for jelly.

[CW&M Mom]

I make Grape juice a lot. You would use concord. Are my mother grew and they had pits in them. Not a kind you could purchase at a store..but maybe a farmer's market??

We got a lot of our jars at thrift stores, yard sales, and freecycle. I got them for nearly free.

[Ashenstar]

I am wanting to make grape jam with the grapes. I am sure there are other options too.

Since this is my first year (My MIL bought me the stuff for my b-day and is going to show me how), I am going to do: applesauce, apple butter, apple pieces in syrup, peach slices in syrup and grape jam). These are the thing my family eats the most of. I'll add to it next year. I'd like to do tomato too.

It seems expensive this year because I am going to have to buy all the jars but that is a one time expense:)

Good luck to you!

Aha. lol I got it. I thought you meant you wanted to can grapes like you would whole cherries. I thought it sounded...interesting.

Applesauce is SUPER easy, basically there is a lot of tedious work to do (like chopping) but it's easy work! You should employ some workers, like kids, relatives, a significant other.

There was a coupon insert for .75 of Ball jars recently. Not a lot off, so I may have to do some work to make that coupon into a great deal, but maybe that would help with the cost IF you can't find any at thrift stores and yardsales.

[CW&M Mom]

Aha. lol I got it. I thought you meant you wanted to can grapes like you would whole cherries. I thought it sounded...interesting.

Applesauce is SUPER easy, basically there is a lot of tedious work to do (like chopping) but it's easy work! You should employ some workers, like kids, relatives, a significant other.

There was a coupon insert for .75 of Ball jars recently. Not a lot off, so I may have to do some work to make that coupon into a great deal, but maybe that would help with the cost IF you can't find any at thrift stores and yardsales.

The way I can grape juice...I can the whole fruit. After it's been canned for a few months the grape juice is ready. You just strain off the grapes..and viola

[AndreaCA]

I grow concord grapes and make the jelly from those. Although honestly? If I had to do it again, I probably wouldn't have planted that variety. It's a lot of work and when you factor in time, it's cheaper to just make jelly from commercially prepared juice! I also grow a tangy red, seedless grape that makes the best raisins on the planet!

As for canning grapes, I did can them one year. They sort of lost their color in the jar and my family wasn't very impressed when I put them into the jello! I think I still have a few jars left if you're interested! (just kidding - they would cost too much to ship!)

Have fun with canning! There is also a free online course you can take here: National Center for Home Food Preservation

P.S. Big Lots has really good prices on canning jars!