The Homestead Challenge Podcast | Suburban Homesteading, Gardening, Food From Scratch, Sustainable Living

In this episode, we talk about what fall really means for us as homesteaders and why it’s okay if we’re not caught up on every project or learning a new skill right now. We compare fall to the luteal phase of a cycle—a time for reflection, slowing down, and preparing for the restful winter ahead. We also explore how winter mirrors the menstrual phase, reminding us that rest doesn’t mean doing nothing—it’s actually the perfect time to learn, dream, and rebuild our energy.   https://thehomesteadchallenge.com

If you’re feeling tempted by all the Prime Day and early Black Friday sales but aren’t sure what’s actually worth it for your homestead — this one’s for you. I’m taking a quick break from my homestead organization series to share what I’ve been seeing lately in the world of deals and steals, what’s worth adding to your cart, and what can probably wait until next year. In this episode, I’m talking about some of my favorite brands, the types of products that actually go on sale (and stay good quality), and how to make a wishlist that keeps you from getting sucked into the scroll. What We Chat About: Why GreenStalk’s current clearance sale is the best I’ve ever seen How to tell if a “deal” is really a deal (hint: check regular prices first!) When to stock up on grow bags, seeds, and raised beds Power backup systems and what brands to trust Kitchen tools and cast iron cookware that actually go on sale How I use wishlist shopping to avoid impulse buys The one item still on my wishlist — the Presto electric pressure canner My Best Tips: Don’t feel pressured to buy everything right now — there will always be another sale. Sign up for your favorite seed companies’ newsletters to catch those early November discounts. Create a wishlist before you browse so you don’t get distracted by random “lightning deals.” Quality over quantity — especially when it comes to garden gear and tools that need to last.

This week, I’m answering a listener question that so many of us can relate to: How do you plan your homesteading projects? Do you have a calendar? If you’ve ever bought all the supplies for a new skill—like kombucha brewing or sourdough baking—and then never actually started, this episode is for you. I’m sharing why it’s completely normal to go through different seasons in our homesteading journey and how not everything has to happen at once. I also talk about how I personally plan and prioritize projects, the simple tools that help me stay organized, and how I find little pockets of time in my busy week (even with kids at home). From embracing the ebb and flow of energy to letting go of perfection, this episode is your reminder that your homestead doesn’t have to look productive all the time to be meaningful. In this episode, I chat about: Why unfinished projects are completely normal How to think seasonally when it comes to learning new skills The difference between passion projects and habits Finding small blocks of time to get things done My favorite planners and simple brain-dump methods Giving yourself grace to grow slowly and sustainably

🌿 Mentioned in this episode: Common root causes of headaches and how to spot them How to think through OTC pain relievers vs. anti-inflammatories Our go-to herbal tea blend for headaches Tincture ideas you can adapt to your own needs https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/the-best-herbal-tea-blend-for-headaches/  

Fall is officially here, and many of us are looking at our raised beds wondering what comes next. Do we clear them out completely, or let nature do some of the work for us? In this episode, we dive into what really happens to the soil in our raised beds over winter and how we can prevent losing precious inches of dirt like my friend did when her soil dropped five full inches in just a couple of years. We talk through the natural processes of compaction, decomposition, and erosion, plus the simple steps we can take now to protect and enrich our soil. From leaving roots behind to feed the underground ecosystem, to covering with shredded leaves or mulch, to adding compost before the snow hits — we’ll explore the best ways to “tuck in” our beds for the season. And if you’re in a warmer climate, we share cover crop ideas to keep living roots in the soil all winter long. By the end, you’ll have practical and low-pressure ways to care for your raised beds this fall, so they’re ready and waiting to grow strong, healthy plants next spring. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why soil levels drop in raised beds over time The benefits of leaving roots and stems in place How leaves, mulch, and compost act like a protective blanket Tips for using cover crops if you live in a mild climate Simple habits to prevent losing soil year after year 👉 Join the conversation in The Homestead Challenge Facebook Community and share what you’re doing with your raised beds this fall!

If you’re anything like us, you probably love cozying up your home for fall—but maybe this year the budget feels a little tighter. Instead of going all out on store-bought décor, we’ve been leaning into using what we already have on hand, what’s growing in our garden, and even what we can forage. It’s a way to keep things festive without overspending, and the best part? Much of our décor can later be enjoyed as food, tea, or long-lasting keepsakes. In this episode, we chat about: 🌿 Herbs that double as décor while drying—like sage, rosemary, thyme, oregano, chamomile, and feverfew—and how they can be used later in the kitchen or for tea 🎃 How to choose, cure, and store pumpkins, squash, and gourds so they last well past the season 💡 Creative (and frugal) ways to make a little décor go a long way, including swapping out florals for dried arrangements and refreshing spaces with seasonal touches 🍂 Why asters might be a better choice than mums for long-lasting fall color year after year We want to inspire you to create instead of consume this season—using what you already have, what you can grow, and what you can forage to make your home feel festive and abundant. ✨ Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode: Join our Facebook community to share your own natural fall décor ideas Let’s make this fall beautiful, budget-friendly, and just a little bit “good enough to eat.”

If you’ve ever started a project with big hopes of a quick finish—only to find yourself staring at it weeks later, still not done—you are not alone. In today’s episode, I’m sharing both encouragement and practical steps for what to do when projects drag on longer than you thought they would. We’ll talk about why this happens (hello, unrealistic expectations 🙋‍♀️), how to reframe your progress so you don’t feel stuck, and the small steps you can take to keep moving forward without burning out. From half-finished patios to delayed canning sessions, this is real-life homesteading, not Instagram reels. ✨ Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode: Why almost every project takes longer than planned How to pause and reassess instead of spiraling The power of brain-dumping what’s really left to do Knowing when to adjust the scope (and stop adding more) Finding small wins to keep momentum going Building margin into your timeline so you don’t feel like a failure How to borrow energy and motivation when you’re running low Learning the lesson for next time—and releasing the guilt Even slow progress is still progress. Let’s celebrate the halfway points and the “work in progress” moments instead of waiting for the perfect before-and-after. 👉 Join me inside the Homestead Challenge Facebook Community and share your in progress photos—I’ll be sharing my half-finished patio too!

When the world feels heavy—whether it’s the news cycle, social media, or just the weight of everyday life—it’s okay to retreat to the comforts of home. In this short and gentle episode of The Homestead Challenge, I’m sharing 10 simple homesteading rhythms that bring peace without adding to your mental load. From lighting a simmer pot to harvesting something small, these are easy, no-pressure ways to make your home a haven and help calm your heart when everything else feels overwhelming. ✨ What you’ll hear in this episode: Why it’s okay to step back from the noise and create sanctuary at home 10 homestead-inspired comforts that bring coziness and calm (without adding stress) Simple seasonal rituals for grounding yourself as we move into autumn Permission to take a break, slow down, and choose gentleness Because sometimes the best way we care for the world is by tending to our own little corner of it. 🌿 Resources + Links Mentioned: Join The Homestead Challenge Community on Facebook to share your favorite homestead comforts Explore tea recipes, simmer pot ideas, and more on the blog: @brittanylgibson If this episode brings you comfort, please consider leaving a 5-star review on your favorite podcast app. Reviews help other kindred spirits find the show—and that encouragement means so much.

Even after years of practice, every homesteading season comes with a fresh batch of mistakes—and this summer was no exception. From herbs that went to seed before I could harvest them, to pantry planning flops (hello, way too much Costco flour), I’m sharing the real-life lessons I learned in my garden, kitchen, and rhythms. In this episode, we talk about: 🌱 The garden mistakes I kept repeating (like skipping succession planting and ignoring pests a little too long) 🍅 Why waiting to preserve food never works in my favor, and how “little by little” preserving keeps things manageable 🏡 The mindset shifts I’m still working on—letting go of perfectionism, planning smarter for pantry staples, and accepting the busy rhythms of summer life with kids 😂 My worst mistake of all: the most disgusting fire cider I’ve ever made (and what I plan to do about it!) If you’ve ever felt behind in your garden, stared at a pile of produce you didn’t know what to do with, or made a recipe you wish you could forget—this episode is for you. Mistakes aren’t failures—they’re lessons that shape us into better, more realistic homesteaders. 👉 Listen in for encouragement, a few laughs, and practical ideas you can use to avoid the same missteps next season.   https://thehomesteadchallenge.com

September means apple season, and we’re diving into all the ways to enjoy it. In this episode, we explore foraging for crabapples (and how to tell them apart from hawthorn), heading to the orchard for a family apple-picking trip, and the many ways we can preserve the harvest for the months ahead. From applesauce and apple butter to homemade apple cider vinegar and jelly, we’re talking about how to make the most of this abundant fall fruit. Whether you’re foraging on your neighborhood sidewalks or hauling home a bushel from a local farm, this episode is packed with ideas to inspire your apple season. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How to identify and use crabapples (and why they’re so underrated). Tips for safe and fun apple picking at orchards. Ways to preserve apples: canning, freezing, dehydrating, and fermenting. Creative ways to use peels and cores so nothing goes to waste. Why September feels like its own special season. Links & Resources Join The Homestead Challenge Community on Facebook to share your apple recipes.

The holidays might feel far away, but this is actually the perfect moment to think ahead. Right now, in the thick of harvest season, you might be tired of tomatoes or over the endless jars of jelly. But what if you could turn that abundance into a few fun preserves that will make holiday hosting (and party season) so much easier later? In this episode, I’m sharing simple, creative ideas you can make now that future-you will thank you for when it’s time to pull together a cheese board, potluck dish, or festive drink. We’ll chat about: ✨ Shrubs & herbal syrups for easy cocktails and mocktails 🥒 Pickled veggies & chutneys that dress up any charcuterie board 🍏 Apple butter, pumpkin butter, and pie fillings for instant desserts 🍅 Salsas, sauces, BBQ, and hot sauce for effortless party food 🍗 Pantry staples like broth that keep fall and winter meals stress-free The best part? You don’t have to do everything. Just one or two jars tucked away will bring that “homemade touch” to gatherings without all the last-minute stress. 👉 Come share your favorite holiday-time preserves in our Homestead Challenge Facebook group — I’ll be posting my favorites there, and I’d love to swap recipes with you.

Back-to-school brings a natural rhythm shift, and on the homestead, that means it’s time to simplify. In this episode, we share the practical ways we’re keeping things easy during this transition—like freezing instead of canning, packing simple lunches, and leaning on streamlined morning routines. We’re also talking about cozying our home for the season, preparing for the inevitable back-to-school germs, and making space for what truly matters right now. And because mamas need support too, we highlight our brand-new Back-to-School Herbal Tea recipe—a calming blend of tulsi, lemon balm, chamomile, and ginger that helps bring balance during this busy season. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why we’re freezing produce instead of canning right now Our approach to packing school lunches without the overwhelm Simple morning routines that actually work How we’re cozying our home and preparing for seasonal transitions A sneak peek at our Back-to-School Tea recipe for stressed-out moms 👉 Check out the full recipe here: Back-to-School Tea

This autumn, I’m trading my usual garden harvests for baskets, jars, and a keen eye on what nature has to offer. Inspired by the book Feed Us with Trees by Elspeth Hay, I’ve been thinking differently about the way humans have long partnered with the land — and it’s made me excited to try some new foraging projects this year. In this episode of The Homestead Challenge Podcast, I’m sharing exactly what I’ll be foraging from August through November, along with tips for identification, uses, and timing. Whether you’re brand new to foraging or you’ve been at it for years, this list is full of easy-to-spot plants, herbs, and wild foods you can gather — even if your garden is done for the year. Here’s what we’ll cover: The late-summer goldenrod bloom (and how to use it for allergies or décor) Elderberries, blackberries, and rosehips for immune-boosting winter remedies Mushrooms like chicken of the woods and chanterelles for the fall kitchen Acorns, black walnuts, hazelnuts, and chestnuts — from forest snack to flour Dandelion root and burdock root for liver and detox support Usnea, the “Old Man’s Beard” lichen, for natural antimicrobial medicine You don’t have to go deep into the woods to try this — many of these are hiding in plain sight. Grab a basket, step outside, and let’s make the most of what autumn has to offer. Resources & Links: Book: Feed Us with Trees by Elspeth Hay Join the conversation in the Homestead Challenge Community on Facebook More foraging and seasonal living tips at TheHomesteadChallenge.com  

In this episode, we're talking about the Every Bit Counts approach to preserving your harvest—without the overwhelm. Whether you're in the thick of garden season or just winding down, there’s so much value in preserving just a small amount every day. Brittany shares what she's preserving in her own kitchen, ideas for saving food scraps and garden extras, and how it all adds up to real savings in time, energy, and money. From freezing leftover onions and carrots to drying herbs and making single jars of pickles or sauce, this episode is a gentle nudge to take tiny, consistent steps toward building your pantry—no marathon canning days required. 💡 What You’ll Learn: Why preserving in small amounts can be more sustainable for busy lives What Brittany is preserving right now from her August garden Creative ways to save money with everyday food scraps and garden extras How to freeze, dry, or pickle without a huge time commitment The mindset shift that helps reduce waste and build your pantry over time 📲 Stay Connected: Instagram: @brittanylgibson Facebook Community: The Homestead Challenge Group Blog: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com

It's finally harvest season here in Northeast Ohio, and this week, we're diving into how to properly harvest common medicinal herbs—before they lose their potency. If you've ever let your echinacea go too long (guilty!), or stared at your feverfew unsure what part to pick, this episode is for you. Learn which parts of each plant to harvest (roots, flowers, or leaves), when to do it, and how to dry them for later use—without stress or overwhelm. 🌿 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: The difference between aerial parts and roots—and when to harvest each Why it’s okay to dry herbs now and make medicine later The best timing for harvesting: 🌼 Echinacea 🌼 Feverfew 🌼 Chamomile 🌼 Calendula 🌼 Dandelion 🌿 Lemon Balm 🌿 Yarrow 🌿 Plantain 🌿 Nettle 📌 Links & Resources Mentioned: How to Preserve Fresh Herbs How to Dry and Store Herbs Join The Homestead Challenge Facebook Group Follow along on Instagram: @brittanylgibson

In this chatty, real-life garden update, I’m sharing what’s actually happening in my July garden—what’s coming out, what I’m planting for the fall, and what I’m choosing to give up (with zero guilt). From bolting basil and pest-eaten squash to rethinking my cut flowers and leaning into crops that actually work for my busy season, this is your honest peek behind the garden gate. If your garden feels chaotic or underwhelming right now, this one’s for you. 🌿 In This Episode, I Talk About: What I’m harvesting right now (hello, tomatoes + garlic!) My pest struggles and powdery mildew battles The “corner of doom” in my garden and how mulch saved it What I’m planting for a simple, manageable fall garden Crops I’m letting go of and why (looking at you, overcrowded cucumbers) How I’m preserving small harvests without stress A reminder that your garden doesn’t have to be perfect to be productive 📸 Join the Conversation: What’s your garden looking like right now? Lush and abundant, or patchy and pest-ridden? I want to see it all—post a photo inside The Homestead Challenge Facebook Group and tag me! 📱 Let’s Connect: Follow me on Instagram: @brittanylgibson DM me your fall garden plans or podcast episode requests! 💬 Leave a Review: If this episode encouraged you, share the love with a written review—it helps other homesteaders find the podcast!

We’re deep in garden season here in Northeast Ohio, and while things are starting to grow, so are the problems—mainly pests! In this chatty episode, we share what’s been stealing our squash and cucumber flowers (spoiler: we suspect birds and raccoons), plus the low-pressure, organic-friendly methods we’re using to deal with it all. From fencing and fake snakes to garden-safe sprays and a bit of "let-it-go" attitude, we’re doing what we can and letting the rest go. Whether you’re new to pest issues or just curious what’s working for us this year, we hope this episode feels like a garden chat with a friend. What We Cover: Why all our squash flowers are mysteriously disappearing What we’re doing to deter birds, raccoons, and maybe even possums A few affordable tools we’re trying: fencing, fake snakes, pinwheels, and more Organic products we actually use (like Captain Jack’s and diatomaceous earth) How we’re handling fungus and when we just pull plants and move on Why we’re harvesting tomatoes early this year (and how we freeze our carrots) Resources Mentioned: Captain Jack’s Dead Bug Diatomaceous Earth for Ants Arber Bio Fungicide Our Facebook Group: The Homestead Challenge Community Let’s Chat: What pests are giving you trouble this year—and how are you dealing with them? Come join the conversation in our free Facebook group!

Feeling overwhelmed by all the prepping videos telling you to stock a bunker full of buckets? Yeah… me too. In this episode, I’m sharing the real-life pantry staples I actually keep on hand—and actually use—to help fight inflation, feed my family, and stay prepared without the stress. From rice and beans to olive oil and condiments, we’re keeping it simple, budget-friendly, and totally doable. You probably already have most of these—and that means you’re more prepared than you think.   https://thehomesteadchallenge.com

Planning a backyard barbecue or garden party this summer? In this episode, I’m sharing easy, no-fuss ways to elevate your July 4th (or any summer) gathering using herbs, flowers, and simple ingredients from your garden—even if your harvest isn’t quite rolling in yet. Whether you're hosting, heading to a potluck, or just want to add a little beauty to your table, these ideas will help you use what you have in fun, creative ways that spark conversation and joy. 🌿 In this episode: – Simple ways to infuse drinks with herbs or floral ice cubes – How to make a fruit salad or charcuterie board extra pretty – Herbs that help keep bugs away from your patio – Easy compound butter ideas (bonus points if you shape them!) – A gentle reminder that even small touches make a big impact 🎧 Listen in and then tag me @brittanylgibson to show off your table setup! 🔗 Links mentioned: – Red, White & Blue Herbal Iced Teas – The Homestead Challenge Facebook Group ✨ Take what works, leave the rest—and have a beautiful, garden-fresh summer celebration.

In this laid-back summer episode, I’m sharing a few things that have been making life sweeter lately—from a nostalgic radio habit to a bread machine I never thought I’d love. I talk about letting go of homesteading perfectionism, the iced tea blend I’m drinking on repeat, and why I’m finally embracing my crockpot in the summer. If you're looking for low-pressure inspiration, practical swaps, and a little dose of seasonal joy, this one's for you. 👉 Mentioned in this episode: • Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver • My Compact Cuisinart bread machine • Summer crockpot meals • My favorite iced herbal tea blend • Greenstalk planter sale • …and why I’ve turned the radio back on 🎧 Tune in and get inspired to slow it down this summer—90s-style.