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

Ep 126. Creating a Homestead Summer Bucket List

Feeling the May rush? Me too! Between preschool graduations and gardening, it's been busy around here. So, to lighten things up, I created a stress-free Summer Homestead Bucket List filled with manageable, fun projects. Join me as I share ideas like growing new tea herbs, frying zucchini blossoms, hosting dreamy garden dinners, crafting citronella candles, and making homemade kombucha.
Plus, I'm diving into the mindset of sustainability over survival—reminding us all that homesteading should be joyful, not stressful. Whether you're an experienced homesteader or just starting out, this episode is sure to inspire a relaxing, fulfilling summer.
Links: The Homestead Collective

Ep 125. 5 Garden Rules I Do Not Follow

Feeling the late spring overwhelm creeping into your garden season? You're not alone! Between end-of-school chaos, planning summer fun, and diving headfirst into gardening, it's completely normal to feel behind.
In today's episode, I'm sharing the gardening "rules" I joyfully ignore and explain why gardening with flexibility and curiosity often beats chasing perfection. From skipping strict crop rotations to planting earlier than recommended (hello, impatience!), discover how embracing imperfection might just be the secret to enjoying your garden more than ever.
 
Your garden doesn't have to be picture-perfect to be wonderful. Let’s garden imperfectly together!
Join the conversation:Head over to our Facebook community (The Homestead Challenge) to share your own garden adventures and see what others are up to. 
Happy gardening!

Ep 124. Is it really cheaper to Homestead in the Suburbs?

We all love the idea of saving money through homesteading—but is it actually cheaper to DIY everything when you live in the city or suburbs? In this episode, we break down the real numbers behind some popular homesteading tasks using actual prices from our area. From making your own butter and yogurt to growing a garden and baking sourdough, we’re taking a close look at what really saves money—and what’s worth doing for other reasons like quality, sustainability, or self-sufficiency.
Spoiler: Sometimes the savings are real—and sometimes, it’s more about the why behind what we do.
Resources Mentioned:
Pantry Stocking Challenge – Free 5-Day Series
Join The Homestead Collective for more support, tools, and no-pressure progress

Ep 123. Seasonal Eating in Spring (What to Eat from the Garden in May)

Springtime eating often leaves us wondering what's fresh beyond the classic salad—but May has plenty to offer! In today's episode, we're exploring vibrant and delicious ways to enjoy the seasonal produce that May brings to our kitchens.
We'll also dive into some early preserving projects. Plus, we're discussing why now is the ideal time to clear out last year’s pantry and freezer goods, with practical tips and inspiration for deliciously using up your stored harvest.
 
Resources Mentioned:
How to Make Chive Salt
Chive-Infused Oil Tutorial
Join us on Facebook to share your favorite spring recipes and preserving projects!
Enjoyed this episode? Please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps others find seasonal inspiration too!

Ep 122. Stress-Free Summer Planning: Balancing Fun, Family & Homesteading

Summer means longer days, less structure, and more opportunities—but without planning, it can quickly turn overwhelming. In this episode, we share practical tips to create a relaxed, memorable summer without the stress or guilt about unfinished tasks.
You’ll learn:
Why creating a brain dump works better than traditional bucket lists
How to organize your summer activities into two easy categories: Fun (family memories) and Projects (home & homestead tasks)
A simple strategy for designing a family-friendly summer calendar that reduces stress and adds predictability
Easy homestead project planning to stay productive without burnout
Practical dinner solutions for those busy, outdoor-filled days
Quick household routines to keep things functional, peaceful, and manageable throughout the summer
Tune in to simplify your summer plans and focus on what truly matters: fun, family, and a balanced homestead life.
Mentioned in this episode:
The Homestead Collective Membership for more practical resources, accountability, and community support
Connect with Brittany:
Instagram: @brittanylgibson
Website: thehomesteadchallenge.com
Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review—it helps us reach more homesteaders like you!

Ep 121. Living More with Less: Centering Life Around Family with Jillian from Sprouting Arrows

In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Jillian from Sprouting Arrows to talk about something at the heart of the Homestead Challenge: remembering your why.Even though our paths look a little different—she homeschools, I don’t; she’s deeply driven by her faith, I have a different approach—we’re both working toward the same goal: creating a life that centers around family, simplicity, and purpose.
Jillian shares her family's journey from living on two incomes (and unknowingly overspending) to thriving on less than $50,000 a year—all while growing closer as a family and living more intentionally. We dive deep into real-world tips for living frugally, finding joy at home, breaking free from consumer culture, and overcoming the pressure to "keep up" with others online or in real life.
Whether you're dreaming of stepping back from the rush, spending more time with your family, or finding ways to live fully without overextending yourself—this conversation will encourage you and show you what’s possible.
What we cover in this episode:
Jillian’s journey to frugal living and her mindset shifts along the way
How living with less has brought more joy, health, and connection to her family
Practical ways to save money without feeling deprived
Homesteading on a tight budget: creative ways to build a garden and make from-scratch living affordable
Managing technology use and building peaceful, present rhythms at home
Handling extracurricular activities in a way that doesn’t overwhelm your family life
Tips for battling comparison—both online and in real life
Why remembering your why makes all the difference when you're tempted to quit
Resources Mentioned:
Brittany: The Homestead Challenge
Jillian:  Sprouting Arrows
Enjoyed this episode?If this conversation encouraged you, take a screenshot and tag us on Instagram!You can find me at @brittanylgibson and Jillian at @sproutingarrows.

Ep 120. Wild and Useful Backyard Weeds You Can Actually Use this Spring

Spring has officially arrived, and with it… a whole lot of weeds. But what if I told you that some of those wild plants popping up in your yard right now are actually useful herbs?
In this episode of The Homestead Challenge, we’re talking about 8 common backyard “weeds” that show up in early spring—like violets, chickweed, stinging nettle, garlic mustard, and more—and how you can use them safely and simply in your homestead routines.
You’ll learn:
Which backyard weeds are edible or medicinal (and which are invasive)
How to tell them apart from lookalikes without getting overwhelmed
Which herbs are helpful for spring allergies, skin soothing, and more
Why it’s totally okay not to use every single wild plant you find
Whether you’re brand new to foraging or just curious about what’s sprouting near your garden beds, this episode will give you confidence and clarity as you learn what nature is offering right in your own yard.
✨ Mentioned in this episode:
Nettle Lemonade Recipe on the Blog
Violet Face Serum
👉 Ready to start noticing what’s growing around you?Tune in, take a walk with me, and let’s dig into some springtime inspiration.

Ep 119. Progress Over Perfection: A Realistic Approach to Homesteading

Ever feel stuck trying to make your homestead perfect? I've been there! In today's episode, I'm sharing personal stories and practical tips about why embracing progress over perfection can transform your homesteading journey from stressful to joyful.
In this episode, you'll hear:
Why "done" truly is better than "perfect," and how simple tasks (like assembling shelves!) can illustrate this mindset.
How perfectionism often disguises itself as endless research, leading to burnout or inaction.
Real-life examples of how imperfect actions, from gardening to cooking, yield meaningful growth and satisfaction.
Encouragement to embrace the "homemade-ish" approach and why every step forward counts, no matter how small.
Mentioned in this episode:
The Homestead Collective – Join our monthly membership for support, resources, and practical ways to incorporate homesteading skills into your busy life.
The Homestead Challenge Facebook Group – Share your imperfect (and joyful!) homesteading progress with our supportive community.
Remember, your family doesn't need perfection—they just need you to show up. So let's embrace the imperfections and enjoy the journey!
Share your imperfect homesteading wins with us! We’d love to see your progress in the Facebook group.

Ep 118. Containers vs. Raised Beds vs. In-Ground Gardens. Where Should You Plant What?

Deciding where to plant things can feel like a total mystery—especially when Instagram says one thing and your neighbor’s doing another. So let’s talk it through, without the pressure to get it “perfect.”
In this episode, I’m breaking down the pros and practical uses for containers, raised beds, and in-ground gardening—plus how I decide where to put what in my own small-space garden.
We’ll chat:
What to plant in containers (and why peppers love my grow bags!)
The crops that thrive in raised beds (especially if you’ve got heavy soil)
When to give in-ground gardening a go—and how to make it work without fancy gear
Why you have to experiment in your space and not just copy what works for someone else
How I’m planning my garden this year (hint: it’s a mix of whimsy, practicality, and learning as I go)
Whether you’re just getting started or want to make better use of the space you’ve got, this episode will help you feel more confident in choosing what goes where—with plenty of encouragement to try, fail, and try again.
 
🎧 Listen in and then come share what you’re planting where this year inside our free Homestead Challenge Facebook Group!
✨ Want support, ideas, and encouragement each season? Join The Homestead Collective — our private membership to help you build homesteading rhythms that actually fit your life.

Ep 117. Why Meal Planning is the Foundation of a Busy Homestead

When most people start homesteading, they jump straight to the fun stuff—sourdough, chickens, herbal remedies. But here's the truth:If your kitchen isn’t in rhythm, everything else feels harder.
In this episode, I’m sharing why meal planning is the foundation of a sustainable, low-stress homestead—especially if you’re busy, in a season of life with limited time, or balancing a million things at once.
🌱 Whether you’re just getting started or trying to finally feel like you’re doing the thing—this episode will help you reset, simplify, and build a foundation you can grow on.
Mentioned in this episode:
👩‍🌾 Join the Meal Plan Momentum challenge (free!) inside our Facebook group👉 The Homestead Challenge Facebook Group
✨ Want to go deeper and build systems that stick?Check out The Homestead Collective
Enjoyed this episode?Please hit subscribe/follow, leave a quick review, and share it with a friend who’s trying to juggle real life and homesteading dreams. You’re not alone—and you don’t have to do it all perfectly to make it work.