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

Ep 141. July in the Garden: What I'm Harvesting, Planting for Fall, and Letting Go

In this chatty, real-life garden update, I’m sharing what’s actually happening in my July garden—what’s coming out, what I’m planting for the fall, and what I’m choosing to give up (with zero guilt). From bolting basil and pest-eaten squash to rethinking my cut flowers and leaning into crops that actually work for my busy season, this is your honest peek behind the garden gate. If your garden feels chaotic or underwhelming right now, this one’s for you.
🌿 In This Episode, I Talk About:
What I’m harvesting right now (hello, tomatoes + garlic!)
My pest struggles and powdery mildew battles
The “corner of doom” in my garden and how mulch saved it
What I’m planting for a simple, manageable fall garden
Crops I’m letting go of and why (looking at you, overcrowded cucumbers)
How I’m preserving small harvests without stress
A reminder that your garden doesn’t have to be perfect to be productive
📸 Join the Conversation:What’s your garden looking like right now? Lush and abundant, or patchy and pest-ridden? I want to see it all—post a photo inside The Homestead Challenge Facebook Group and tag me!
📱 Let’s Connect:Follow me on Instagram: @brittanylgibsonDM me your fall garden plans or podcast episode requests!
💬 Leave a Review:If this episode encouraged you, share the love with a written review—it helps other homesteaders find the podcast!

Ep 140. How I am Managing Common Garden Pests and Fungus Organically

We’re deep in garden season here in Northeast Ohio, and while things are starting to grow, so are the problems—mainly pests! In this chatty episode, we share what’s been stealing our squash and cucumber flowers (spoiler: we suspect birds and raccoons), plus the low-pressure, organic-friendly methods we’re using to deal with it all. From fencing and fake snakes to garden-safe sprays and a bit of "let-it-go" attitude, we’re doing what we can and letting the rest go. Whether you’re new to pest issues or just curious what’s working for us this year, we hope this episode feels like a garden chat with a friend.
What We Cover:
Why all our squash flowers are mysteriously disappearing
What we’re doing to deter birds, raccoons, and maybe even possums
A few affordable tools we’re trying: fencing, fake snakes, pinwheels, and more
Organic products we actually use (like Captain Jack’s and diatomaceous earth)
How we’re handling fungus and when we just pull plants and move on
Why we’re harvesting tomatoes early this year (and how we freeze our carrots)
Resources Mentioned:
Captain Jack’s Dead Bug
Diatomaceous Earth for Ants
Arber Bio Fungicide
Our Facebook Group: The Homestead Challenge Community
Let’s Chat:What pests are giving you trouble this year—and how are you dealing with them? Come join the conversation in our free Facebook group!

Ep 139. 7 Things I Always Have in My Prepper Pantry (That I Actually Use)

Feeling overwhelmed by all the prepping videos telling you to stock a bunker full of buckets? Yeah… me too. In this episode, I’m sharing the real-life pantry staples I actually keep on hand—and actually use—to help fight inflation, feed my family, and stay prepared without the stress. From rice and beans to olive oil and condiments, we’re keeping it simple, budget-friendly, and totally doable. You probably already have most of these—and that means you’re more prepared than you think.
 
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Ep 138. Red, White & Bloom: Garden-Inspired Ideas for Your July 4th Party

Planning a backyard barbecue or garden party this summer? In this episode, I’m sharing easy, no-fuss ways to elevate your July 4th (or any summer) gathering using herbs, flowers, and simple ingredients from your garden—even if your harvest isn’t quite rolling in yet.
Whether you're hosting, heading to a potluck, or just want to add a little beauty to your table, these ideas will help you use what you have in fun, creative ways that spark conversation and joy.
🌿 In this episode:– Simple ways to infuse drinks with herbs or floral ice cubes– How to make a fruit salad or charcuterie board extra pretty– Herbs that help keep bugs away from your patio– Easy compound butter ideas (bonus points if you shape them!)– A gentle reminder that even small touches make a big impact
🎧 Listen in and then tag me @brittanylgibson to show off your table setup!
🔗 Links mentioned:– Red, White & Blue Herbal Iced Teas– The Homestead Challenge Facebook Group
✨ Take what works, leave the rest—and have a beautiful, garden-fresh summer celebration.

Ep 137. 5 Things I am Loving on the Homestead this Summer

In this laid-back summer episode, I’m sharing a few things that have been making life sweeter lately—from a nostalgic radio habit to a bread machine I never thought I’d love. I talk about letting go of homesteading perfectionism, the iced tea blend I’m drinking on repeat, and why I’m finally embracing my crockpot in the summer. If you're looking for low-pressure inspiration, practical swaps, and a little dose of seasonal joy, this one's for you.
👉 Mentioned in this episode:• Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver• My Compact Cuisinart bread machine• Summer crockpot meals• My favorite iced herbal tea blend• Greenstalk planter sale• …and why I’ve turned the radio back on
🎧 Tune in and get inspired to slow it down this summer—90s-style.

Ep 136. Summer Herbal Uses for Rosemary

Is rosemary just a fall and winter herb? Not anymore. In this episode, we’re exploring all the surprising ways to use rosemary right now—while it’s thriving in the heat and taking over the garden beds.
We talk about:
Why rosemary thrives in summer (and how to grow it better)
What makes rosemary so powerful as an herbal remedy (hello, memory + mood boost)
Everyday ways to use rosemary in the summer—from scalp rinses and herbal oils to bug spray and fire starters
How to preserve rosemary now so you’ll have it ready for fall cooking and winter remedies
Plus, I share some of the rosemary-based DIYs that are already on the blog and a couple new ones going up this week—including rosemary salt and infused oil.
If your rosemary plant is bursting at the seams or you’ve just never known what to do with it in the warmer months, this episode is full of inspiration.
🌿 Resources + Links:
DIY Herbal Bug Spray
Homemade Thieves-Style Herbal Cleaner
Decongestant Chest Salve (Vapor Rub Style)
🎧 Listen + Share:If you enjoy this episode, please leave a 5-star written review! It helps more folks find the podcast—and we’re on a mission to hit 100,000 downloads by fall. 💛

Ep 135. Calm the Heart: Herbs for Stress and Ditching the Pressure

This summer hasn’t felt quite as peaceful as I hoped—and maybe you’re feeling the same. In this episode, I’m opening up about the stress I’ve been feeling lately, even while trying to do all the things to slow down. If you’ve ever felt like natural living was starting to feel more stressful than supportive, this conversation is for you.
We’ll walk through what I call my “ladder of intervention”—a gentle framework I use to decide when to reach for lifestyle changes, herbal support, or something stronger. I’m also sharing my go-to stress tea recipe, the story of how I got off anxiety meds with herbs, and a brand-new tincture recipe that supports your nervous system and your heart.
Links + Resources:
🌿 Make the Calm Heart Tincture:https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/heart-tincture/
🍵 Get the Stress + Anxiety Herbal Tea Recipe:https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/best-herbal-tea-recipe-for-anxiety/
📱 DM me on Instagram: @brittanylgibson
 
If this episode gave you some peace or a fresh perspective, would you share it with a friend who might need it too? Or leave a quick review to help more homesteaders and natural living mamas find the show?
Thanks for being here, friend. We’re in this together. 💛

Ep 134. The Power of Patience in the Garden (and Beyond)

Whether you're staring at empty patches in your garden or waiting for your ferments to finish bubbling, this lifestyle is full of waiting. And in a culture that celebrates overnight success and 30-second videos, that can feel extra hard.
But what if the waiting is actually part of the growth?
In this episode, I'm sharing:
Why waiting is one of the hardest parts of homesteading
How impatience has shown up for me lately (spoiler: I’ve replanted seeds way too early)
Real-life encouragement for those of us in the messy middle of any project
Simple things you can do while you wait that actually move you forward
Why slow success is more satisfying—and sustainable—than quick wins
“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Whether you're waiting on seeds, sourdough, or just a quieter season in life—this one’s for you.
 
🧑‍🌾 Come connect!
Say hi on Instagram: @brittanylgibson
Join the community: The Homestead Collective Facebook Group
📣 Leave a review if you loved this episode—it truly helps others find the podcast and keeps this community growing.

Ep 133. This is the Year You Will Start Canning (or stick with it!)

Ready to finally start canning—or actually stick with it this time? This is the year we let go of perfection and start preserving food in a way that’s doable, satisfying, and not totally overwhelming. In this episode, I’m sharing why I started canning, the real reasons you might want to give it a go, and the simplest ways to begin—whether you’re working with homegrown tomatoes or a bucket of u-pick strawberries.
I also talk through some of my biggest canning mistakes (like impulse produce purchases without a plan ), why it helps to prep now before the harvest hits, and the beginner-friendly recipes that I think everyone should try first.
What You’ll Learn:
The real-life reasons to start canning (and why it’s not just about saving money)
What you actually need to get started (hint: not a root cellar or 1,000 jars)
Why planning ahead is the #1 thing that makes canning feel manageable
Easy beginner recipes like jam and tomato sauce—and why small batches count
My favorite tools, tips, and honest lessons learned over the past few years
Mentioned in This Episode:
Ep. 13 – Canning Mistakes I’ve Made So You Don’t Have To
Ep. 91 – The First 10 Things I Ever Canned (and Why)
Canning Tips + Tools I Use
My Amazon Storefront: Canning Favorites
👉 Leave a 5-star written review if this episode was helpful—it means so much and helps others find the show!

Ep 132. Letting Go of Perfectionism in the Garden

If your garden feels a little behind, messy, or flat-out disappointing this year—you are not alone. In this episode of The Homestead Challenge, we’re talking all about releasing perfectionism in the garden so you can enjoy the process, learn as you grow, and stop comparing your reality to picture-perfect plots on Instagram.
Whether your tomato starts failed, your trellis dreams didn’t happen, or you’re still throwing seeds in the dirt a month later than you planned—this is your permission slip to keep going.
🌱 What We Cover in This Episode:
Why even seasoned gardeners have setbacks (spoiler: I might need new tomatoes)
Reframing the idea that there’s a “right way” to garden
Creative ways to use what you have—containers, trellises, and all
When it’s totally okay to buy a few plant starts (even if you wanted to grow from seed!)
The beauty of direct sowing and learning through trial and error
How your garden space—no matter the size—can still nourish your soul
 
👩‍🌾 Join the Conversation:Come post your “imperfect” garden wins with us in the Homestead Challenge Facebook Community. It’s a no-pressure space full of encouragement and real-life garden chat.