MORGANTOWN -- Seed sales are up in Monongalia County and that means more people will be canning the fruits and vegetables they're growing.

The WVU Extension Service wants to make sure people know the correct and safe methods.

An upcoming canning class will go teach people about food acidity and processing methods.

"There's a lot of people that are just starting to can because of a resurgence in home gardening and there are also a lot of folks out there that need to update their techniques and methods," says WVU Extension Agent Hannah Fincham.

Southern States in Morgantown says it is seeing that resurgence due to food prices.

Vegetable plant sales are up 10 percent and seed sales are up 30 percent.

The Extension Service says it receives calls about gardening and now is a good time to make sure people are canning correctly, because the standards have changed over the years.

"Low acid foods need to be canned in a pressure canner and acid foods need to be canned in a boiling water bath," says Fincham.

Carol Scott has already signed up for the class.

She says she has canned jelly and apple butter but wants to learn how to can vegetables and other foods properly.

"I want to make my own salsa," says Scott.

"I want to decide how hot it's going to be and what it's going to have in it. I think that's my ultimate goal, then maybe my own spaghetti sauce."

Canning the wrong way can be deadly.

"If foods are preserved improperly they can have bacteria, they can cause serious illness and death and botulism," says Fincham.

The canning class will be offered Saturday July 11 at WVU.

To sign up or get more information call the Extension Service at 304-291-7201 or stop by the Westover Office location.