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

Ep 146. From Harvest to Holidays: What to Can Now for Stress-Free Hositng

The holidays might feel far away, but this is actually the perfect moment to think ahead. Right now, in the thick of harvest season, you might be tired of tomatoes or over the endless jars of jelly. But what if you could turn that abundance into a few fun preserves that will make holiday hosting (and party season) so much easier later?
In this episode, I’m sharing simple, creative ideas you can make now that future-you will thank you for when it’s time to pull together a cheese board, potluck dish, or festive drink.
We’ll chat about:
✨ Shrubs & herbal syrups for easy cocktails and mocktails
🥒 Pickled veggies & chutneys that dress up any charcuterie board
🍏 Apple butter, pumpkin butter, and pie fillings for instant desserts
🍅 Salsas, sauces, BBQ, and hot sauce for effortless party food
🍗 Pantry staples like broth that keep fall and winter meals stress-free
The best part? You don’t have to do everything. Just one or two jars tucked away will bring that “homemade touch” to gatherings without all the last-minute stress.
👉 Come share your favorite holiday-time preserves in our Homestead Challenge Facebook group — I’ll be posting my favorites there, and I’d love to swap recipes with you.

Ep 145. Simple Back to School Shifts for Homesteading

Back-to-school brings a natural rhythm shift, and on the homestead, that means it’s time to simplify. In this episode, we share the practical ways we’re keeping things easy during this transition—like freezing instead of canning, packing simple lunches, and leaning on streamlined morning routines. We’re also talking about cozying our home for the season, preparing for the inevitable back-to-school germs, and making space for what truly matters right now.
And because mamas need support too, we highlight our brand-new Back-to-School Herbal Tea recipe—a calming blend of tulsi, lemon balm, chamomile, and ginger that helps bring balance during this busy season.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why we’re freezing produce instead of canning right now
Our approach to packing school lunches without the overwhelm
Simple morning routines that actually work
How we’re cozying our home and preparing for seasonal transitions
A sneak peek at our Back-to-School Tea recipe for stressed-out moms
👉 Check out the full recipe here: Back-to-School Tea

Ep 144. What I am Foraging this Autumn (Month by Month)

This autumn, I’m trading my usual garden harvests for baskets, jars, and a keen eye on what nature has to offer. Inspired by the book Feed Us with Trees by Elspeth Hay, I’ve been thinking differently about the way humans have long partnered with the land — and it’s made me excited to try some new foraging projects this year.
In this episode of The Homestead Challenge Podcast, I’m sharing exactly what I’ll be foraging from August through November, along with tips for identification, uses, and timing. Whether you’re brand new to foraging or you’ve been at it for years, this list is full of easy-to-spot plants, herbs, and wild foods you can gather — even if your garden is done for the year.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
The late-summer goldenrod bloom (and how to use it for allergies or décor)
Elderberries, blackberries, and rosehips for immune-boosting winter remedies
Mushrooms like chicken of the woods and chanterelles for the fall kitchen
Acorns, black walnuts, hazelnuts, and chestnuts — from forest snack to flour
Dandelion root and burdock root for liver and detox support
Usnea, the “Old Man’s Beard” lichen, for natural antimicrobial medicine
You don’t have to go deep into the woods to try this — many of these are hiding in plain sight. Grab a basket, step outside, and let’s make the most of what autumn has to offer.
Resources & Links:
Book: Feed Us with Trees by Elspeth Hay
Join the conversation in the Homestead Challenge Community on Facebook
More foraging and seasonal living tips at TheHomesteadChallenge.com
 

Ep 143. Every Bit Counts- Preserving the Harvest Little by Little in August

In this episode, we're talking about the Every Bit Counts approach to preserving your harvest—without the overwhelm. Whether you're in the thick of garden season or just winding down, there’s so much value in preserving just a small amount every day. Brittany shares what she's preserving in her own kitchen, ideas for saving food scraps and garden extras, and how it all adds up to real savings in time, energy, and money.
From freezing leftover onions and carrots to drying herbs and making single jars of pickles or sauce, this episode is a gentle nudge to take tiny, consistent steps toward building your pantry—no marathon canning days required.
💡 What You’ll Learn:
Why preserving in small amounts can be more sustainable for busy lives
What Brittany is preserving right now from her August garden
Creative ways to save money with everyday food scraps and garden extras
How to freeze, dry, or pickle without a huge time commitment
The mindset shift that helps reduce waste and build your pantry over time
📲 Stay Connected:
Instagram: @brittanylgibson
Facebook Community: The Homestead Challenge Group
Blog: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com

Ep 142. Harvesting Medicinal Herbs the Right Way: Roots, Leaves, and Flowers

It's finally harvest season here in Northeast Ohio, and this week, we're diving into how to properly harvest common medicinal herbs—before they lose their potency. If you've ever let your echinacea go too long (guilty!), or stared at your feverfew unsure what part to pick, this episode is for you. Learn which parts of each plant to harvest (roots, flowers, or leaves), when to do it, and how to dry them for later use—without stress or overwhelm.
🌿 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
The difference between aerial parts and roots—and when to harvest each
Why it’s okay to dry herbs now and make medicine later
The best timing for harvesting:
🌼 Echinacea
🌼 Feverfew
🌼 Chamomile
🌼 Calendula
🌼 Dandelion
🌿 Lemon Balm
🌿 Yarrow
🌿 Plantain
🌿 Nettle
📌 Links & Resources Mentioned:
How to Preserve Fresh Herbs
How to Dry and Store Herbs
Join The Homestead Challenge Facebook Group
Follow along on Instagram: @brittanylgibson

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.
 
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com

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.