canning
Preserving garden food in sealed jars for later.
Also called putting up.
Updated September 21, 2026
canning pronunciation
/KAN-ing/
Meaning
Home food preservation the rural Southern way: green beans, tomatoes, pickles, jellies sealed in glass jars so winter still has summer on the shelf. Folks also call the whole season "putting up." Hot kitchens, pressure canners, and rows of mason jars are part of the deal.
How folks use it
- “Mama spent all weekend canning green beans from the garden.”
- “We're behind on canning this year with that late tomato crop.”
Origin and etymology
Can comes from putting food in cans or jars and sealing it. Commercial canning rose in the 1800s; home canning with mason jars became a farm and mountain kitchen staple. In Southern and Appalachian talk, canning and "putting up" sit side by side for the same winter-prep work.
Frequently asked questions
Is canning the same as putting up?
Almost. Putting up is the wider habit of storing food for later. Canning means jars and seals specifically.