Heart of the Homestead Family

Feeling overwhelmed by homesteading season? You’re not alone. In this episode, we talk about managing the busy spring and summer months, balancing home life with garden life, learning new skills without burnout, and giving yourself grace when things don’t go according to plan. From canning and gardening to messy houses and community support, this is your reminder that homesteading isn’t a competit...

Welcome back to the homestead for a big spring update! In this episode, we’re chatting all about the chaos of May gardening in Southwestern Ontario — from heat waves and frost warnings to tornado alerts and nonstop rain. If your garden plans have felt all over the place lately, you are definitely not alone. We share what’s happening on our homesteads right now, including: What we’ve planted (and w...

From haskap berries to horseradish, we’re talking all about perennial plants that keep producing year after year with less work in the garden. In this episode, we share some of our favorite perennial fruits, vegetables, and herbs that thrive in our Southern Ontario homesteads — including a few unique varieties you may not have heard of before. We chat about: Why perennials are one of the easiest w...

Getting your garden off to a strong start begins with your soil. In this episode, the ladies dive into simple, practical ways to add nutrients, improve soil health, and set your garden up for a productive season. From composting basics to using natural amendments like manure, ash, and cover crops, you’ll learn how to work with what you have and build healthier soil over time.   Be sure to subscrib...

In this episode of Heart of the Homestead Family, we’re heading outside the garden and into the wild to explore early spring foraging in Southern Ontario. If your garden beds aren’t quite ready yet, don’t worry—there’s still so much you can harvest right now. The ladies share some of their favourite early-season finds growing in forests, pastures, and even your own backyard, along with simple ways...

In this episode, the ladies dive into an unexpected favorite on the homestead—parsnips! Ali shares why she loves this often-overlooked root vegetable, from its sweet, unique flavor to its ability to overwinter and provide a harvest when almost nothing else is growing. They chat about how to grow parsnips, when to plant and harvest them, and why patience is key with this long-season crop. You’ll al...

Spring is here, but before garden season takes over, there’s still time to wrap things up in the kitchen. In this episode, the ladies share how they’re clearing out freezers, using up preserved food, and getting prepared for the busy months ahead. From pressure canning and batch cooking to experimenting with garlic, rhubarb, and homemade staples like soap, this conversation is full of practical, r...

In this episode, the ladies chat about why the May long weekend isn’t the only time to plant your garden—and how tuning into nature can make planting easier and more successful. From watching for blooming flowers to understanding soil temperature, pest cycles, and even moon phases, they share simple ways to work with the seasons instead of feeling rushed by the calendar. If you’ve ever felt overwh...

Spring is here, and that means it’s time to start thinking about the garden! 🌱 In this episode, the Heart of the Homestead Family shares what’s happening on their farms right now—from cleaning up last year’s garden beds to dreaming (and maybe over-dreaming 😉) with seed catalogs. The ladies chat about expanding gardens, adding flowers alongside vegetables, growing and preserving herbs, and the re...

In this episode, we’re introducing some new voices to the podcast—Caroline and Allie—and sharing a little about each of our homesteads and lifestyles here in Southwestern Ontario. From multi-generational farms and CSA programs to glamping retreats and hobby farms, each of us brings a unique perspective on homesteading and living closer to the land. We also chat about what’s been happening this sea...

In this episode, we take time to look back on the goals we set at the beginning of 2025 and share an honest recap of what worked, what didn’t, and what we learned along the way. From launching the podcast and reaching 80+ episodes in our very first year, to tackling home and farm goals like making household supplies, cloth diapering, preserving food, improving systems, and experimenting with new s...

In this episode, we look back on the 2025 garden season—celebrating the wins, laughing at the surprises, and sharing the lessons learned along the way. From early snow that forced last-minute harvesting hacks (including pulling a tarp with the truck!) to a remarkable year for broccoli, cabbage, tomatoes, and peppers, this season had a little bit of everything. We talk about what flourished, what f...

In this episode, we dive deep into the wonderful world of pork — from choosing the best cuts to stretching your meat budget, to using every part of the hog with confidence and creativity. Whether you raise your own pigs or buy from a local butcher, this conversation is packed with practical tips that will help you fill your freezer, simplify meal planning, and cook with more variety. If you’ve bee...

In this festive episode, Heidi and Sarah invite you into the cozy chaos of homestead Christmas decorating—floor renovations, foraged greenery, kid-crafted ornaments, and all! From holly branches and cedar cuttings to dehydrated oranges, Osage oranges, pine cones, and even dried goldenrod, they share dozens of simple, beautiful, budget-friendly ways to make your home feel festive using what’s alrea...

Today we’re diving into one of the biggest staples of homestead kitchens everywhere: beef. From ground beef to roasts, steaks, organ meats, bones, and even tallow — we’re talking about how to use every part of the cow and make it stretch in practical, delicious, and nourishing ways. Heidi and Sarah share how they source their beef locally, what cuts they love most, how they work with grass-finishe...

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a mountain of eggs on your counter one week… and then none the next, this episode is for you. On today’s Heart of the Homestead episode, Heidi and Sarah dive into the wonderfully unpredictable world of farm-fresh eggs—whether they’re coming from your own chickens, your neighbor’s flock, or the ducks who suddenly decide to lay like crazy.   Whether you’re dr...

We’re back! It’s been a little bit, but life on the homestead hasn’t slowed down — and today we’re catching you up on everything happening as we slide into the colder months. ❄️ In this episode, we chat about: 🌱 Greenhouse projects — ducks, fertilizing soil, and getting winter greens ready 💧 Installing permanent water lines (a total game-changer!) 🥶 Frozen vents, chewed hoses & other winter...

In this episode, we’re talking about some of our favourite herbs to grow and use — from kitchen staples like basil and parsley to medicinal powerhouses like calendula, yarrow, and stinging nettle. Whether you’re growing for flavour, healing, or beauty, herbs bring so much life and connection to the garden.   And — exciting news! — we’re hosting a Simmer & Share event on November 8th at 10 AM!...

It’s been a whirlwind on the homestead — tomatoes still ripening, beets to pickle, potatoes to dig, and animals to move before the frost sets in.  In this episode, Heidi and Sarah sit down for their October homestead update to share: ✨ The never-ending fall harvest (and the joy of full shelves and freezers) ✨ Lessons learned from a busy growing season ✨ Why rain and dew point can make or break...

Is it better to boil water starting with hot or cold? 🤔 What seems like the simplest kitchen task turned into one of the biggest debates of all time here on Heart of the Homestead! In this episode, we share our own hot vs. cold water habits, dive into the “why” behind each method, and laugh over how something so small can stir up such strong opinions. From canning and cooking to showers, drinks,...

Just because summer planting is behind us doesn’t mean the gardening season is over! In this episode of Heart of the Homestead, we’re diving into simple, practical ways to keep fresh food growing well into the colder months. From low tunnels and row covers to caterpillar tunnels and unheated hoop houses, we share how we extend the harvest of greens, root crops, and more—all without fancy equipment...

Can you really get away from the homestead? In this episode of Heart of the Homestead, we’re sharing what it looks like to step away—even in the middle of garden and harvest season. From prepping long lists for family and staff, to planning around animals, produce, and community commitments, we talk honestly about the work it takes to make time off possible. 🎧 Listen in and be encouraged that yes...

It’s been a while since our last homestead update — and for good reason! September has us knee-deep in harvest season, freezers filling, shelves stacking, and to-do lists that never seem to end. 🌿🥕 In this episode of Heart of the Homestead, Sarah & Heidi share: ✨ The reality of juggling homestead life with family life ✨ How to prioritize when everything feels urgent ✨ Why some crops can w...

It’s squash season! 🎃🍂 In this episode of The Heart of Homestead Family, we dive into all things winter squash—from heirloom varieties you won’t find in the grocery store, to simple (and safe!) ways to cook and preserve them for the months ahead. Whether you’re growing them yourself or bringing them home from the market, squash is a homestead staple worth celebrating. Tune in for practical tips,...

Cabbage may take its sweet time in the garden, but when those heads finally make it into the kitchen… the possibilities are endless! 🥬 In this episode of The Heart of Homestead Family, we’re diving into the many ways to use and preserve cabbage once harvest time arrives. From the crisp crunch of fresh coleslaw to the tang of homemade sauerkraut, you’ll get practical, tried-and-true ideas for turn...