How to Start Canning at Home in Santa Cruz, CA: A Beginner's Guide to Slow Living
Welcome to the Wild Art of Canning
In Santa Cruz, CA, we're in the middle of the redwood forrest, and just minutes away from regenerative farms along the coast line. There's a growing hunger for real food, traditional practices, and a deeper connection to nourishment. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by fast-paced life and longed to get back to basics — canning is a beautiful first step.
At Wylder, we are getting back to the basics with canning and preserving food — we're preserving the wisdom of our elders and food sovereignty. Inspired by our Back to Basics Cookbook (coming in August 20205), grounded in the Real Food Movement, here’s your no-fluff guide to getting started with home canning in Santa Cruz.
What Is Home Canning?
Canning is a traditional method of preserving food by sealing it in sterilized jars to extend shelf life without refrigeration. It’s safe, sustainable, and satisfying.
There are two main types:
- Water bath canning: Perfect for high-acid foods like jams, jellies, and tomatoes.
- Pressure canning: Required for low-acid foods like beans, meats, and soups.
Why Start Canning in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz is ripe for this practice:
- Proximity to organic farms & CSAs like Route 1 Farms, Live Earth Farm, Dirty Girl Produce and Happy Boy Farm.
- Seasonal abundance from the farmers' markets
- A community already aligned with slow food and intentional living
Whether you're a burnt-out techie, a curious homesteader, or someone just trying to align their kitchen with their values — canning is a radical act of remembrance.
The Basic Tools You’ll Need
Starting doesn’t require a fancy setup. Here’s your starter pack:
| Tool | Why You Need It |
|---|---|
| Canning Jars (Mason or Weck) | Airtight and reusable |
| Lids & Bands | Create a seal and keep jars safe |
| Large Pot or Pressure Canner | To sterilize and process jars |
| Jar Lifter & Funnel | For safety and spill-free transfers |
| Clean Towels & Labels | Keep things tidy and track your batches |
👉 Pro Tip: Check local thrift stores, or invest in organic gear via Azure Standard (use code: MollyBravo1) or fermentation tools from Cultures for Health.
Best Foods to Start Canning
- Strawberry Jam (hello, Watsonville!)
- Pickled Red Onions for tacos or charcuterie
- Tomato Sauce from dry-farmed local heirlooms
- Peach Preserves in late summer
- Bone Broth (pressure can only)
Use what’s in season — let the rhythm of nature guide your kitchen calendar.
Learn with Us: Take the Wylder Canning Course
Ready to go deeper?
Join our transformational Canning Course — a self-paced online journey rooted in traditional wisdom, community, and real-life application. You’ll get:
Join our transformational Canning Course — a self-paced online journey rooted in traditional wisdom, community, and real-life application. You’ll get:
- Video demos from Molly’s homestead kitchen
- PDF checklists, batch plans, and troubleshooting guides
- Rituals & seasonal tips for soulful preservation
- Bonus access to the Wylder Community
💡 This is a call to reconnect with the land, your body, and your lineage.
🧡 Molly's Tip for Beginners
“I used to be terrified of pressure canners. But once I learned how, I felt like I unlocked the door to my elders — I immersed myself in old fashioned ways and I'm thrilled to be able to share what I've learned with you.”
— Molly, Founder of Wylder
How to Start Canning at Home in Santa Cruz, CA
Last Updated: May 2025 | Author: Molly, Founder of Wylder Space
In Santa Cruz, where the redwoods meet regenerative farms along the coastline- there's a growing hunger for real food, traditional practices, and a deeper connection to nourishment. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by fast-paced life and longed to get back to basics — canning is a beautiful first step.
At Wylder, we are getting back to our roots, doing things the old fashioned way, the way our grandparents did things — we're preserving the wisdom of our elders and food sovereignty. Inspired by our Back to Basics Cookbook and grounded in real homestead experience, here’s your no-fluff guide to getting started with home canning in Santa Cruz.
🌱 What Is Home Canning?
Canning is a traditional method of preserving food by sealing it in sterilized jars to extend shelf life without refrigeration.
- Water bath canning: for high-acid foods like jams and pickles.
- Pressure canning: for low-acid foods like broths, beans, and meats.
Why Start Canning in Santa Cruz?
- Surrounded by local organic farms like Dirty Girl Farm, Happy Boy, Route 1 and Live Earth Farm
- Access to fresh, seasonal produce
- A culture of sustainability and slow food
Whether you're a burnt-out techie or a curious homesteader — canning is a radical act of self reliance.
The Basic Tools You’ll Need
| Tool | Why You Need It |
|---|---|
| Canning Jars | Airtight and reusable (Ball or Weck recommended) |
| Lids & Bands | Creates safe seal |
| Water Bath or Pressure Canner | Sterilizes and processes
Blog Categories
amish food preservationcanningcommunitydehydrationfarm to tablefermentationfood preservationgut healthhealthhomesteadingmeal planningmeals in jarsnourishing traditionsorganic foodpreserve food without electricityraw dairyreal foodrecipesregenerative farmingregenerative ranchself sufficiencyslow foodsoakingsproutingsustainable living
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