Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
This was my very first time canning plums, and I’ll admit I was both excited and a little nervous. Our trees finally produced enough fruit after a few years, so I decided to jump right in. I tried two simple ways to preserve them—one batch just plain in water and the other in a sweet honey water with some mulling spices. Along the way I learned a few tricks, like the difference between clingstone and freestone plums, and that you’re supposed to prick the skins so they don’t burst. Spoiler alert: some of mine popped anyway, but honestly they still look pretty good. I can already imagine pulling these jars out in the winter for cobblers, sauces, or even on a charcuterie board. And if nothing else, they’ll make my pantry shelves look downright fancy.
Steam Canner: amzn.to/4fWV7U3
Electric Hot Water Kettle: amzn.to/41kscTY
♦️Recipe 1: Plain Whole Plums in Water♦️
Prep: Wash plums, remove stems, discard any bruised or overripe fruit.
Step: Prick each plum on two sides (to prevent skins from splitting, though she skipped this on the first batch).
Pack: Fill jars tightly with whole plums, leaving 1½ inches headspace.
Fill: Top with boiling water, no sugar or flavoring.
Process: Steam-bath or water-bath can for 20 minutes (pints) or 25 minutes (quarts).
Use Ideas: Eat straight from the jar, use in cobblers or pies, make plum sauce, or add to other fruit desserts.
♦️Recipe 2: Spiced Honey Plums♦️
Prep: Wash and prick plums, removing any poor-quality fruit.
Pack: Place plums in jars with ¼ to ½ a cinnamon stick, 2 allspice berries, and 1–2 whole cloves.
Sweeten: Add about 1 tablespoon honey per jar, then top with boiling water.
Process: Steam-bath (equivalent to water-bath canning) for 20 minutes (pints) or 25 minutes (quarts).
Use Ideas: Drop into tea for flavor, slice for a charcuterie board, pair with pork chops, stir into yogurt or oatmeal, or give as part of a winter gift basket.
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Mailing Address:
That 1870's Homestead
P.O. Box 179
Newport, MI 48166
---------------
✅ Connect with Us 🐐
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---------------
Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links - at no additional cost to you. We will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase, after clicking through the links. ♥ Todd & Rachel
---------------
00:00 First year with plums
00:24 Two ways to preserve plums
01:20 Packing jars and headspace tips
01:58 How to use plain canned plums
02:53 Remembering to prick the skins
04:07 Freestone vs clingstone plums
05:47 Plain plum jars ready for canning
06:31 Adding spices for flavored plums
07:11 Creative uses for spiced plums
09:11 Pickled plums and other ideas
10:39 Checking skins and canning steps
11:17 Honey and final prep for jars
12:40 Loading the caner and finishing up
13:13 Wrapping up and future canning videos
This was my very first time canning plums, and I’ll admit I was both excited and a little nervous. Our trees finally produced enough fruit after a few years, so I decided to jump right in. I tried two simple ways to preserve them—one batch just plain in water and the other in a sweet honey water with some mulling spices. Along the way I learned a few tricks, like the difference between clingstone and freestone plums, and that you’re supposed to prick the skins so they don’t burst. Spoiler alert: some of mine popped anyway, but honestly they still look pretty good. I can already imagine pulling these jars out in the winter for cobblers, sauces, or even on a charcuterie board. And if nothing else, they’ll make my pantry shelves look downright fancy.
Steam Canner: amzn.to/4fWV7U3
Electric Hot Water Kettle: amzn.to/41kscTY
♦️Recipe 1: Plain Whole Plums in Water♦️
Prep: Wash plums, remove stems, discard any bruised or overripe fruit.
Step: Prick each plum on two sides (to prevent skins from splitting, though she skipped this on the first batch).
Pack: Fill jars tightly with whole plums, leaving 1½ inches headspace.
Fill: Top with boiling water, no sugar or flavoring.
Process: Steam-bath or water-bath can for 20 minutes (pints) or 25 minutes (quarts).
Use Ideas: Eat straight from the jar, use in cobblers or pies, make plum sauce, or add to other fruit desserts.
♦️Recipe 2: Spiced Honey Plums♦️
Prep: Wash and prick plums, removing any poor-quality fruit.
Pack: Place plums in jars with ¼ to ½ a cinnamon stick, 2 allspice berries, and 1–2 whole cloves.
Sweeten: Add about 1 tablespoon honey per jar, then top with boiling water.
Process: Steam-bath (equivalent to water-bath canning) for 20 minutes (pints) or 25 minutes (quarts).
Use Ideas: Drop into tea for flavor, slice for a charcuterie board, pair with pork chops, stir into yogurt or oatmeal, or give as part of a winter gift basket.
---------------
👕 Shop Our Merch: bonfire.com/store/1870smerch
🌻 HOSS Garden Tools & Seeds: shrsl.com/33ehp (Promo Code SHOP1870 for free seeds!)
🌱 MIGardener: migardener.com/1870
🌺 GREENSTALK Vertical Gardens: greenstalkgarden.com/?rstr=SHOP1870 (Promo Code SHOP1870 for $10 off!)
🥫 FORJARS Canning Lids: forjars.co/?sca_ref=1911228.45BY9FFxdg (Promo Code SHOP1870 to get 10% off)
🍃 HARVEST Right Freeze Dryers: affiliates.harvestright.com/1182.html
🔦 OLIGHT Flashlights: bit.ly/3z6daku (Promo Code SHOP1870 for 10% off!)
🛒 Our Favorite AMAZON Finds: amzn.to/3ihSgZP
---------------
Mailing Address:
That 1870's Homestead
P.O. Box 179
Newport, MI 48166
---------------
✅ Connect with Us 🐐
YouTube: youtube.com/@1870s
Facebook: facebook.com/1870sHomestead
Instagram: instagram.com/that_1870s_homestead
Pinterest: pinterest.com/that1870s
EMAIL: that1870shomestead@gmail.com
---------------
Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links - at no additional cost to you. We will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase, after clicking through the links. ♥ Todd & Rachel
---------------
00:00 First year with plums
00:24 Two ways to preserve plums
01:20 Packing jars and headspace tips
01:58 How to use plain canned plums
02:53 Remembering to prick the skins
04:07 Freestone vs clingstone plums
05:47 Plain plum jars ready for canning
06:31 Adding spices for flavored plums
07:11 Creative uses for spiced plums
09:11 Pickled plums and other ideas
10:39 Checking skins and canning steps
11:17 Honey and final prep for jars
12:40 Loading the caner and finishing up
13:13 Wrapping up and future canning videos
