Unless you live in a really warm climate, I wouldn't freeze or can the root vegetables like potatoes & carrots. They keep in cool, dry and dark places.
Man I just read the "alabama" part.
Coming from Eastern Canada, I do not like the texture of frozen potatoes. unless you've cooked them first. (we have frozen mashed potatoes, set with an ice cream scoop on a cookie sheet)
peppers you can just cut up & freeze, no need to blanch, same with onions.
Garlic we usually puree & put in a jar covered with olive oil & keep in the fridge.
Freezing takes way less equipment than canning. Don't have ziploc bags? Use plastic containers, like from ice cream.