As summer gardens begin to produce for central Illinois residents, having too much might be an issue and a local University of Illinois Extension educator has some tips.

On the WHOW Morning Show Monday, U of I Extension Educator Caitlin Mellendor outlined several ways to preserve some of these fruits and vegetables. She explains some easier methods of preservation would be dehydration and freezing.

According to Mellendorf, they have wrapped up virtual seminars on dehydration. She explains freezing and dehydration are very simple and while many might wonder about needing a dehydrator for food, she says you can accomplish this without one.

Canning is a much more extensive process and for purposes of teaching the public, requires visuals however, Mellendorf outlines two styles of canning and how to best approach them.

While most University of Illinois Extension offices will have individuals with an abundance of resources available, you can also check out the National Center for Home Food Preservation at the University of Georgia.