★★★☆☆

Preserving the Seasons is a visually appealing and accessible guide for beginners or casual home preservers. It covers a wide range of methods—canning, freezing, drying, infusions, and even freeze-drying—with a friendly, encouraging tone.

The section on drying flowers stood out as a highlight. It’s not something you typically find in preservation books, and it added a thoughtful, almost whimsical layer to the usual techniques. I also appreciated the inclusion of some less-expected fruits and vegetables—things many people might not think to freeze, dry, or can.

That said, the canning section felt a bit light. It covered the basics well enough, but didn’t go much deeper than simple water bath recipes. The freeze-drying content seemed tacked on, possibly because the equipment is still cost-prohibitive for many households. A little more detail or clarity on its use would’ve helped.

Some of the recipes leaned toward the niche side, like plum and black pepper jam or lilac sugar. While interesting, they might not appeal to a broad audience and may leave newer preservers unsure of where to start.

Overall, this is a solid entry-level resource with a few unique touches. I’ll be adding it to our library collection—it’s a good fit for those curious about seasonal preserving but not yet ready to dive too deep.