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

Don't let your summer herb harvest go to waste! In this episode of The Homestead Challenge Podcast, Brittany shares how she's preserving herbs now to create thoughtful homemade Christmas gifts later. From herbal salts and tea blends to drying herbs, cut flower bouquets, and experimenting with herbal chapsticks, you'll learn practical ways to make the most of your garden while preparing for the hol...

One of the biggest gardening mistakes I made for years? Thinking that once everything was planted in the spring... I was done. This year, every time a spot opens up in my garden, I'm putting more seeds in the ground. More lettuce. More beans. More carrots. It's such a simple habit, but I think it's going to make a huge difference in how much fresh food we get to enjoy this season. In this week's p...

Have you ever dreamed of opening a farm stand, even if you live in the city? In this episode, I'm sharing the real behind-the-scenes process of starting my front yard farm stand, Falls City Farmstead, in suburban Ohio. From choosing products and navigating Ohio cottage food laws to pricing handmade herbal products, managing liability concerns, and overcoming the fear of theft, I'm walking you thro...

In this episode of The Homestead Challenge Podcast, we're talking all about bugs in the organic garden. Learn which insects are beneficial, how trap crops work, when to leave pests alone, and when it's time to intervene with simple organic solutions. If your garden has holes in the leaves, aphids, cabbage worms, or chipmunks causing trouble, you're definitely not alone. #organicgardening #vegetabl...

In this June garden update, we're sharing what's growing in our Zone 6 garden, the challenges we're facing this season, and a few personal life updates along the way. From harvesting herbs and strawberries to dealing with pests, watering struggles, and the unexpected loss of a beloved family dog, this episode is an honest look at real-life homesteading and finding peace in the garden during diffic...

Sage is one of the easiest herbs to grow, but it's also one of the most overlooked. In this episode, we explore practical ways to use garden sage, including culinary projects, herbal remedies, preserving methods, and why this hardy perennial deserves a place in every homestead garden. Whether your sage plant is thriving or you've never known what to do with it, you'll leave with simple ideas to st...

Summer canning doesn't have to mean marathon weekends, Pinterest-perfect pantries, or preserving every tomato you grow. In this episode, we're talking about what summer canning actually looks like in a busy suburban home—from deciding what's worth canning and using a two-day workflow to freezing harvests, preserving in small batches, and fitting it all into real life with kids. If you've ever felt...

In this episode, we’re talking about the hidden consumerism that can sneak into the homesteading lifestyle and why it’s so easy to buy the fantasy version of homesteading instead of actually living it. We chat about homestead perfectionism, comparison culture, overbuying supplies, hobby collecting vs. hobby doing, and why buying food for your family is not failure if you’re actually using it. If y...

In this episode of The Homestead Challenge Podcast, we’re talking about how to build homesteading community in the city or suburbs without starting a commune or forcing yourself to be extroverted. From community gardens and native plant sales to Facebook Marketplace swaps, school gardens, and local farm stands, I’m sharing simple, low-pressure ways to connect with other gardeners, homesteaders, an...

In this episode, we’re talking about a simple homesteading mindset shift that has been helping me slow down, spend less impulsively, and feel more connected to my home: create before you consume. I’m sharing how homesteading hobbies like gardening, baking, organizing, and herbalism helped me stop constantly chasing more, plus practical ways to avoid perfectionism and consumerism in the homesteadin...

  In this episode of the The Homestead Challenge Podcast, we’re talking about some of the best free plants for the garden — including self-seeding flowers and herbs, volunteer plants, and perennials you can divide again and again. From calendula and dill to chives, lemon balm, and surprise tomato plants popping up from the compost, these are the kinds of plants that help your garden become more ab...

Learn alongside me as we talk about 5 easy ferments I’m trying this summer that actually feel realistic for busy moms and small-scale homesteaders. In this episode, we’re chatting about simple refrigerator pickles, sauerkraut, fermented salsa, kombucha, and easy veggie mixes—plus beginner fears, food safety, mold worries, and how to start fermenting without expensive equipment or crunchy perfectio...

Today I am chatting all about growing cut flowers with Josie Blessing, author of The Homesteader’s Guide to Cut Flowers, and why flowers are so much more than just “extra” in the garden. We talk about how to grow flowers even in small spaces, the best low-maintenance varieties for busy seasons, and how they support everything from pollinators to herbal remedies. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or...

We’re celebrating 200 episodes of The Homestead Challenge podcast by reflecting on what homesteading has really brought into my life. In this episode, I’m answering a few candid questions about how I got started, how my definition of homesteading has changed, and why I still choose this lifestyle—even in busy seasons. If you’ve ever felt like you’re not doing enough, this is your reminder that hom...

In this episode, we’re talking about the simple herbal products we should start now before summer hits—because things like bug spray, salves, and infused sprays take time to steep. We walk through what we’re making right now (like herbal bug spray, dried mint for tea, and calendula salve) and how to think ahead so summer feels easier and more prepared.   https://thehomesteadchallenge.com  

We’re talking about the spring-to-summer transition in the garden and that weird lull where everything is planted but harvest hasn’t fully begun. We walk through simple systems we’re resetting now—like herb drying stations, freezer clean-outs, harvest flow, and kitchen organization—to make summer easier and less overwhelming. If you want to stay ahead of the chaos and actually enjoy your garden th...

We’re talking about what to do with the spring herbs you can harvest right now—whether you’re foraging things like dandelion and chickweed or clipping herbs from your garden like chives and mint. If you’ve ever picked herbs and then felt stuck, this episode walks you through three simple ways to use them, plus how to harvest without ruining the plant. It’s a practical, no-pressure way to start act...

We’re talking all about vertical tower gardens (like GreenStalks)—why we love them, who they’re actually good for, and how they can fit into real life no matter your space. We’re sharing what we’re planting in ours this year, the honest differences between budget vs. higher-end options, and how you can even create a full herbal tea garden in one simple setup.   https://thehomesteadchallenge.com  

We’re talking about spring foraging for beginners and the easiest way to start—right in your own backyard. In this episode, we cover how to identify and use common edible weeds and wild herbs like henbit, dead nettle, stinging nettle, dandelion, wild violets, chickweed, plantain, garlic mustard, and wild chives, plus when to harvest different parts for the best flavor and benefits. If you’ve been...

We’re talking about organic pest control for your garden—what it really means, when to step in, and when to let things go. After dealing with an unexpected aphid issue on my seedlings, I’m sharing the products I actually use, how I think about health and exposure, and how to make these decisions without overthinking every little thing.   https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/companion-planting/  

We’re talking about how to avoid common plant nursery mistakes—from “healthy” looking plants that struggle after transplanting to soil deals that aren’t actually deals. We’ll walk through what to look for so we can shop smarter, save money, and grow a more successful garden this season.   https://thehomesteadchallenge.com  

We thought prepping in March would make spring feel calm and manageable—but real life had other plans. In this episode, we’re talking about what’s actually helping right now, what we’re letting go of, and how we’re redefining “enough” during a busy, chaotic season.   15 Minute Routine: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/routine/  

In this episode, we’re sharing the simple summer cooking system that helps us keep feeding our families real food without spending all evening in the kitchen. We’re talking about using the crockpot, making a few basics ahead of time, and creating an easy rhythm that works with our busy summer days.   https://thehomesteadchallenge.com  

In this episode, we’re talking about simple dry goods and convenience mixes we can prep now to make busy garden season so much easier. We walk through easy ideas like brownie mix, cornbread mix, and seasoning blends that help us cook from scratch without the extra time and mess. This is all about reducing mental load and setting ourselves up for a more peaceful, doable summer.   https://thehomeste...

We’re heading into spring and taking a realistic look at what foods are actually worth growing versus just buying, using our own pantry habits as the guide. In this episode, we walk through simple filters to help us decide what makes sense for our space, budget, and goals—so we can grow with intention and skip the overwhelm.   https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/pantry/