Everyday Homesteading

Have you ever finished a canning session only to discover one or more jars didn't seal? It happens to every home canner at some point, and even after more than 20 years of canning and preserving food for my family, I still have an occasional seal failure. In this video, I'm sharing the most common reasons canning jars don't seal, how to troubleshoot failed seals, and what you should...

Are you working yourself to exhaustion trying to preserve every possible food for your pantry? I used to think a successful pantry meant recreating the grocery store at home. But after more than 20 years of homesteading, I've learned that's one of the fastest ways to burn out. In this video, I'm sharing the mindset shift that completely changed the way I preserve food. Instead of as...

What does it really look like to manage a large homestead garden? In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, I'm joined by my oldest daughter, Rachel, who has taken over management of our main crop garden this year. We sit down for a candid conversation about what's working, what we're learning, and a few garden bloopers that prove even experienced gardeners don't always get it...

What if the secret to healthier plants, bigger harvests, fewer pests, and less work in the garden isn't another fertilizer or amendment? What if it's your soil? In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, we're kicking off a brand-new Soil School series by exploring the foundation of every productive garden: healthy soil. You'll learn why soil is much more than dirt, how a thrivi...

Have you ever tried to identify a plant, opened a field guide, and immediately felt overwhelmed? You're not alone. In this episode, I'm joined by Rachel Parks of Botany in an Hour to talk about a simple approach to botany that can completely change the way you look at plants. Instead of trying to memorize thousands of individual species, Rachel explains how learning a handful of plant fa...

If you’ve ever struggled with pests in the garden, this episode will completely change how you think about natural pest control. Instead of reaching for sprays first, we’re talking about a layered, holistic approach to growing healthier plants that naturally resist pests better. From building living soil to attracting beneficial insects and knowing when organic interventions are actually appropria...

In this podcast, I’m diving into three canning concepts that confuse even experienced home canners. These are the kinds of things that can leave you second-guessing whether your jars are actually safe on the pantry shelf. In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, I’m breaking down: - Why I never store jars with the rings tightened on - What changing liquid levels in your jars actually mean - Why p...

Should you water your garden every day? The short answer is probably not. In this episode, we’re breaking down one of the most common gardening questions and helping you understand how to water your garden for healthier plants, deeper roots, and better harvests. You’ll learn: • How often most gardens actually need water • Why daily watering can weaken plants • The difference between deep watering...

How do we preserve family, community, and truth in a culture that seems to be moving faster and faster away from them? In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, I sat down with my friend Rory Groves for a thoughtful conversation about modern culture, technology, family economy, and what many families are sensing right now: that something important has been lost. Using the republished book Henry an...

After years of pushing hard on our homestead, we reached a point where we had to ask a tough question: Is everything we’re doing actually sustainable? Last year, we intentionally slowed down. Not completely, but enough to take a step back and evaluate what was working and what wasn’t. And what we learned changed how we’re approaching this year in a big way. In this episode, we’re sharing the real-...

I’ll be honest… when I first heard about freeze dryers, I thought they were a gimmick. I didn’t want to spend money on an expensive appliance that would just sit there collecting dust. But after using one in my own kitchen, I can tell you this clearly… I was wrong. In this video, I’m sharing the 7 things I wish I knew before getting a freeze dryer. These are the lessons that would have saved me ti...

If you’ve ever felt like you need to learn everything before starting a garden, you’re not alone. In today’s episode, we’re simplifying the process and showing you how to start a garden without getting overwhelmed . Gardening is a journey. And the truth is, you don’t need perfect soil, perfect seeds, or perfect knowledge to begin. You just need a few key principles and a willingness to learn as yo...

Are your chicken eggs coming into the house dirty, especially during mud season? In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, Carolyn is joined by Amy, cofounder of Good Egg, to talk about how to keep eggs clean starting in the coop—and how to properly handle fresh eggs once they’re in your kitchen. We’re covering everything from nesting box strategies to the right (and wrong) way to wash eggs, plus...

How do you get your kids excited about gardening, especially if you’re still learning yourself? In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, I’m joined by Luke Hammond from Dirt Academy Kids to talk about why gardening is one of the most powerful tools we have for raising capable, grounded kids. We dive into:  Why so many adults who garden today had childhood garden experiences   The real-life skills...

What happens when your child grows up… and chooses to stay? In this episode of the Everyday Homesteading podcast, I’m joined by my oldest daughter, Rachel, as we share the story behind her and her husband’s decision to stay close to home and build a tiny house right here on our homestead. We’re talking about what it really looks like to build a life near family in today’s world—from navigating ind...

Canning safety can feel overwhelming, especially when you hear all the warnings and conflicting advice out there. But what if it’s actually much simpler than you think? In today’s episode, I’m breaking down the three things you absolutely must get right for canning safety so you can preserve food with confidence and peace of mind. We’ll talk about: Why so many people feel afraid of canning The tru...

We spend a lot of time learning the hands-on skills of homesteading like baking, gardening, and preserving. But what if those aren’t the skills that actually make a home run well? In this episode, we’re talking about the quiet skills that don’t get much attention but make all the difference. Things like planning ahead, creating rhythms, finishing what you start, and learning how to say no. These a...

Cultured dairy sounds intimidating, but it's actually one of the easiest traditional kitchen skills you can learn. In this video, I explain how cultured dairy works, why it’s so beneficial for digestion and gut health, and how you can start making your own yogurt right at home. Once you understand the basics, you’ll realize that cultured dairy is far simpler than most people think. The bacter...

Most people never fail at gardening. They quit before they begin. In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, Josh sits down with Luke from MIgardener to talk about why so many aspiring gardeners stay stuck in the dreaming and planning phase — and what it actually takes to start. You’ll learn: Why fear of failure quietly holds people back The mindset shift that changes everything The importance of j...

For many homesteaders, the dream is complete self-sufficiency. Producing all your own food. Depending on no one. Living independently. But is that really possible? And more importantly, is it even the right goal? In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, we’re sharing why complete self-sufficiency is actually a myth and what matters far more: building practical skills and strengthening community....

Even with healthy, well-selected animals, there comes a day when you have to call the vet. And when that moment comes, most of us aren’t nearly as prepared as we could be. In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and veterinarian, Dr. Patrick Jones of The Homegrown Herbalist, to talk through what every homesteader should know before picking up the phone. We discuss: The importance of si...

Making bread isn’t about talent, and it’s not about finding the perfect recipe either. In this episode, I’m sharing why bread is one of the most foundational skills in the homesteading kitchen and how learning to read your dough instead of following formulas changes everything. From flour amounts to kneading to rise times, we’re breaking down the simple techniques that lead to consistent, reliable...

Thinking about keeping backyard egg-laying chickens, but not sure where to begin? In today’s episode, we walk through the essential checklist every new chicken keeper should know . We cover: • What to think about before bringing chickens home • Coop setup and space requirements • Feeding, water, and daily care routines • How to successfully raise chicks in their first few weeks • Biosecurity basic...

Feeling overwhelmed while trying to add homesteading skills to an already full life? You’re not alone. In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, I’m continuing our conversation about going from overwhelmed to peaceful and sharing what I’ve learned about building a homestead life that’s sustainable for the long haul. This is Part 2 of our series on creating peaceful household rhythms instead of rig...

If you love the idea of homesteading but constantly feel behind, overwhelmed, or emotionally exhausted, I recorded this episode for you. In Part 1 of this new series, I’m sharing the household system that helped me move from constant pressure and burnout to a calmer, more sustainable rhythm of life. I talk about why overwhelm usually isn’t a discipline problem and why trying to “work harder” often...