Welcome back to In the Garden with Flower Hill Farm, where we dig into the beauty, rhythms, and practical magic of growing a garden you love. Join Nicole from Flower Hill Farm for thoughtful conversations, seasonal inspiration, and real-world gardening wisdom. Powered by Botanical Interests, your trusted source for high-quality seeds and gardening know-how.Whether you are planning your next harvest or looking for ways to make your garden work harder for your family, this show is your invitation to grow with intention.
In this episode, Nicole is joined by Jordyn and Kay Clark, a Washington-state, mother and daughter-in-law duo behind Portage View Farm. Living on a multi-generational family compound, Jordyn and Kay grow and raise much of their own food while helping others become more self-sufficient. Together, they feed a big, bustling family of 13 and share what it really looks like to preserve the harvest in real life.
The conversation centers on food preservation and how to decide what belongs in your garden. Jordyn and Kay’s advice is refreshingly simple: grow what you eat. They talk through the foods their family loves most, including green beans, applesauce, broth, peaches, pears, beets, jams and jellies, tomatoes, and more, and how eating seasonally guides what they preserve each year. Nicole, Jordyn, and Kay also dig into the differences between steam canners and traditional water bath canners, why steam canners can save water, and why new canners should keep processing times approachable.
Safety is a big focus in this episode. The group discusses why following trusted recipes matters, when pressure canning is required for low-acid foods, and how confidence comes from doing things the right way. Jordyn and Kay also share how they use freeze drying for herbs, eggs, leftovers, and even homemade dog treats, plus the books and resources they recommend for anyone wanting to learn more.
You will also hear about Jordyn and Kay’s courses and how to continue learning from them online. And if you want to meet them in person, Nicole, Jordyn, and Kay will all be at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival this February in Seattle, happening February 18–22 at the Seattle Convention Center. Tickets and full event details are available through the festival’s official website.
If you are curious about preserving food, feeding your family from your garden, and building a more resilient, intentional lifestyle, this episode is full of practical wisdom and encouragement.
🎧 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and follow along on YouTube for behind-the-scenes clips, garden tours, and exclusive episodes.
🌼 Follow Our GuestsJordyn & Kay Clark, Portage View FarmYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRqkIiajZtHDSDwRmd9FRhwInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/portageviewfarm/
🌱 Special Offer for Listeners:Get 5% off all online purchases at BotanicalInterests.com with code INTHEGARDEN
🌸 Seeds Mentioned:
Sugar Snap peas: https://growepic.co/3N2KbtJ
Blue Lake 274 Bush Bean Seeds: https://growepic.co/4so86E4
French Filet Bush Bean Seeds: https://growepic.co/4qAHcqT
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