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

Ep 170. What 2026 Will Bring for The Homestead Challenge

I’m sharing a quiet end-of-year check-in, reflecting on what worked (and what didn’t) in the past year, and talking through what I’m dreaming up for the year ahead. From reimagining community and challenges to launching a tiny local farm stand, this episode is all about planning gently—without pressure or overwhelm.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
Join the Homestead Challenge Private Facebook Group to vote on challenge names and join the conversation
Sign up for emails at thehomesteadchallenge.com to stay in the loop
Farm Stand Planner (coming soon to Etsy)
Follow along on Instagram for behind-the-scenes updates

Ep 169. What's Actually Worth Planning for the Garden in December (and what can wait)

Seeing people seed starting in December can make it feel like you’re already behind — especially if you live in a colder growing zone. In this episode, we’re talking about what’s actually worth planning for the garden this time of year, what can wait, and how to figure out your real planting timeline based on where you live (not what the internet is doing).
If you’re a new or intermediate gardener — or just need a gentle reminder to slow down — this episode will help you plan with confidence instead of stress.
 
In This Episode, We Talk About:
Why December gardening content can feel confusing
The difference between planning season and planting season
Why seed starting in December isn’t necessary for most cold climates
How to find your exact garden zone and last frost date
The seed-starting calculator I personally use every year
What is worth doing for your garden in December
How I batch seed-starting dates to make spring easier
Reflecting on last year’s garden successes and flops
Choosing garden priorities that actually fit your life
Why rest is an important part of the growing season
Helpful Garden Planning Links Mentioned:
Find Your Last Frost DateUse your ZIP code to find your exact last frost date:https://www.almanac.com/gardening/frostdates
 
Seed Starting Date Calculator (My Favorite)This is the most robust and easiest-to-use calculator I’ve found:https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/seed-planting-schedule-calculator.html
 
 
Garden Planner + Seed Organizing Binder InsertsIf you like having everything organized in one place, I have both available in my Etsy shop:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/HomesteadChallenge
Join the Community:
Come share your garden plans (or seed-starting photos!) inside our free Facebook community:https://www.facebook.com/groups/thehomesteadchallengecommunity
 
 

Ep 168. A Friday Reset to Get Your Home + Homestead Ready for a Busy Weekend

In this episode, we’re walking through a simple Friday Reset designed specifically for busy December weekends. With holiday activities filling up our schedules, we’re focusing on quick, doable steps that help us lower stress, clear a little space in our homes, and set ourselves up to actually enjoy the magic instead of rushing through it.
We talk about choosing our non-negotiables, doing a fast holiday tidy, prepping food for the weekend, setting up cozy moments like a hot cocoa station, and reconnecting with homestead rhythms—whether that’s grabbing a few herbs from the garden, foraging evergreens, checking the pantry, or doing a quick emergency prep check.
A little bit of intention on Friday can shift the entire tone of the weekend, helping us feel calmer, more present, and ready to savor the parts of December that matter most.
Links Mentioned:Blog: https://thehomesteadchallenge.comInstagram: @brittanylgibson

Ep 167. DIY Homemade Gifts That People Actually Want

Homemade gifts can be thoughtful and practical — if people actually know how to use them. In this episode, we’re sharing our favorite high-compliance DIY gifts for non-crunchy friends and family, so your handmade presents don’t end up forgotten in the back of a cabinet.
We talk about why most homemade gifts fail (lack of familiarity, unclear instructions, or feeling too “crunchy”) and how to fix that by making your gifts familiar, foolproof, and easy to use in real life. These ideas are perfect for last-minute holiday gifts or any time you want to give something personal without pressure.
🎁 High-Compliance DIY Gift Ideas Covered:
Herb salts (with easy everyday uses)
Homemade vanilla extract (with a local twist)
One-and-done dip mixes
Jam with cream cheese dip instructions
Loose leaf tea paired with a proper tea strainer
DIY herbal bug spray (perfect for families and warm climates)
Shower steamers for people who don’t take baths
If you’re trying to move away from consumerism without giving gifts that feel “weird” or unused, this episode will help you confidently gift homemade items that people genuinely love.
🔗 Helpful Links:
DIY Herbal Bug Spray: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/diy-herbal-bug-spray/
Herb Salt Recipes: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/rosemary-salt/
The Homestead Challenge Blog: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com
💛 Join the Community:
Share photos of your homemade gifts and connect with other low-pressure homesteaders in our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thehomesteadchallengecommunity
 

Ep 166. If I Were Starting My Homestead Over Today, Here's Exactly What I Would Do

Five years into my homesteading journey, I’m looking back at what actually worked, what caused burnout, and what I truly wish I had known as a beginner. In this episode, I’m walking you through the exact roadmap I would follow if I were starting completely over today — with less pressure, fewer gadgets, and a whole lot more joy.
This is a gentle, realistic look at modern homesteading for real life — especially if you’re in the city, short on space, time, or energy.
In this episode, we cover:
Why joy should always be your starting point
How trying to learn everything at once leads to burnout
Choosing 1–2 skills at a time to focus on
Building skills before buying tools and equipment
Learning preservation before growing everything yourself
Why consistency beats perfection every time
How social media comparison derails beginners
Homesteading in small spaces without waiting for “someday”
Why the long game creates real sustainability
🌿 Join the Homestead Challenge Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thehomesteadchallengecommunity
🏡 Visit the blog: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com

Ep 165. What I Learned this Year as a City Homesteader

It’s officially December, and we’re starting our year-end reflection a little early around here. In this episode of The Homestead Challenge Podcast, we talk honestly about what actually worked on our city homestead this year—and what completely flopped. From simplifying garden projects and freezing tomatoes to sourdough struggles, slow home projects, and a few disappointing garden losses, this is a real-life look at homesteading without the highlight reel.
If you’ve had a year with both wins and messy moments, you’re not alone—and this episode is for you.
In this episode, we cover:
Why choosing only one big garden project changed everything
How freezing tomatoes instead of canning immediately reduced burnout
A DIY herbal bug spray win that actually worked
Leaning into convenience appliances like the crockpot, bread machine & air fryer
How meal planning around milk & meat delivery simplified grocery shopping
The power of habit stacking (laundry + breakfast)
An incredible herb harvest that’s still producing in December
Why my sourdough starter died twice
Projects that took way longer than expected (hello, brick patio)
Garden disappointments: no pumpkins, no zucchini, small garlic
Why every garden has failures—and that’s normal
This episode is all about realistic homesteading, adjusting expectations, and giving yourself permission to grow slowly and imperfectly.
🎧 Listen to the full podcast episode here:[Insert podcast link]
🌿 Find recipes, resources & more at:https://thehomesteadchallenge.com
🐝 DIY Bug Spray Recipe Mentioned: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/diy-herbal-bug-spray/
 
💛 Let’s connect:Instagram: @brittanylgibsonFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thehomesteadchallengecommunity
 
What worked for you this year—and what didn’t?

Ep 164. 3 Homestead Things I’m Not Doing This Winter… and 2 That I Definitely Am

Winter is supposed to be the season where everything finally slows down… but for many of us, it quickly becomes another round of pressure to plan next year’s garden, stock the pantry, bake everything from scratch, and add even more to our already full plates. In this episode, I’m sharing the three homesteading tasks I’m not doing this winter so I can actually rest—and the two cozy, meaningful projects I am embracing to stay connected to my homestead in a way that fits my real life.
We’re talking about:
Why I’m not starting every seed in January
How I’m resisting the urge to buy another pantry shelf’s worth of groceries
The kitchen gadgets I’m saying no to (even on Black Friday!)
The herbal products I’m creating with what I dried over the summer
Why winter preserving—like dealing with those freezer tomatoes—actually feels easier
If you’ve felt the pressure to “do all the things” in the winter homestead season, this episode will give you permission to simplify, slow down, and choose what truly matters in your current season of life.
Related Episodes
Ep 159. Pantry Restock The Smart Way: How to Refill without Overwhelm or Overspending
Ep 5: Homestead Confessions: Expensive Kitchen Gadgets I Regret Buying (Don’t waste your money!)

Ep 163. 8 Pantry Staples that Double as Herbal Wellness

If you’ve ever felt like herbalism requires a huge apothecary or a ton of expensive ingredients, this episode is going to feel like a breath of fresh air. Today, we’re talking about the everyday pantry staples you probably already have on hand that double as powerful herbal wellness tools — perfect for cold and flu season and practical homesteading on a budget.
In this episode, I’m walking through eight simple pantry ingredients that support immunity, digestion, inflammation, stress relief, and overall wellness: ginger, garlic, cinnamon, honey, apple cider vinegar, turmeric, chamomile, and lemon. These are the no-pressure, real-life remedies that modern homesteaders can use daily without buying anything fancy or overwhelming.
 
Daily Wellness Shot: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/wellness-shot/
Garlic Mullein Ear Oil: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/garlic-mullein-herbal-oil/
 
Subscribe on YouTube
The Homestead Challenge podcast is officially expanding! Search “The Homestead Challenge” on YouTube or click below and hit subscribe so you’ll know when new episodes drop.
https://www.youtube.com/@thehomesteadchallenge
 

Ep 162. Rethinking Rest this Holiday Season

In today’s episode, we’re talking about rethinking rest during the holiday season and why traditional “relaxation” doesn’t always make us feel restored. If you’re overwhelmed by holiday expectations, juggling motherhood, managing a busy home, or trying to keep up with homesteading tasks while feeling exhausted, this conversation is for you.
After weeks of dealing with a lingering sinus infection, I realized that true rest isn’t always about slowing down, sitting on the couch, or doing nothing. Instead, I discovered that my body and nervous system felt more rested when I prioritized connection, movement, simple accomplishments, and intentional comfort rituals—all things that helped reduce stress more than “relaxing” ever did.
Inside this episode, we explore:
Why holiday overwhelm hits so hard (and why rest feels impossible)
The unexpected thing that finally helped my nervous system reset
How a simple girls’ night helped my body start to heal
Why sitting still can sometimes increase anxiety and mental load
How to find rest through connection (girls’ nights, date nights, family time)
How to feel restored through accomplishment and finishing lingering tasks
What “rest through movement” looks like in real life
Simple sensory comfort ideas to bring peace back into your home
How stress impacts your immune system and overall homestead routine
Practical ways to feel grounded, calm, and prepared going into the holiday season
Whether you’re navigating motherhood, trying to stay consistent with homesteading routines, or just craving a calmer December, you’ll learn how to identify your personal rest style so you can support your mental health, reduce stress, and create a holiday season that actually feels good.

Ep 161. 6 Easy Things to Forage in November

In this episode, we’re talking about what you can still forage in November—even if there’s snow on the ground. I share six easy-to-identify wild foods and herbs like pine needles, rose hips, late-season mushrooms, acorns, crab apples, and black walnuts that can stretch your grocery or medicine budget. Plus, I chat about my failed attempt at extreme couponing and why foraging feels like a much more peaceful (and practical) way to get “free” things from nature this time of year.
 
 
Evergreen Recipes
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/evergreen-bath-salts/
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/simple-winter-evergreen-simmer-pot-recipe/
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/cedar-face-toner/