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

Ep 116. Low-Maintenance, High-Reward Plants for the Garden

Tired of babysitting your garden all summer long? In this episode, we’re digging into the real MVPs of the garden—the plants that practically take care of themselves.
I’m sharing a list of weird, wonderful, and wildly easy plants that give you an amazing harvest without demanding much of your time or energy. Whether you're short on bandwidth, just starting out, or simply want to build a more sustainable setup, these low-maintenance picks are for you.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
Learn more about The Homestead Collective: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/collective
Join our free community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thehomesteadchallengecommunity

Ep 115. The 3 Biggest Mistakes I Made Trying to Do It All on the Homestead

In today’s episode, I’m sharing the three biggest mistakes I made when I first started homesteading in the city—and what finally helped me stop burning out and start building a lifestyle that actually felt good.
Whether you’re just getting started or you've been at this a while, I hope this episode feels like a big exhale. I’ll also walk you through a super simple five-minute mindset shift that can help you refocus this week and let go of what’s not serving you.
 
Links + Resources:
🌱 Join our free Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thehomesteadchallengecommunity
🖨️ Free mindset printable: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/homestead-mindset/
💛 Learn about The Homestead Collective: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/collective/
Let’s Connect:Send in your episode requests at https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/podcast/
Or come say hi on Instagram: @brittanylgibson

Ep 114. Garden Cues and Habit Stacks: How to Actually Remember to Water Your Plants

Let’s be honest — remembering to water the garden can be really hard when life is full of kids, work, laundry piles, and approximately one zillion other things. In today’s episode, we’re talking about realistic, no-pressure strategies to help you keep your garden alive and thriving without needing a perfect routine.
I’m sharing my favorite habit stacking tricks, visual cues, and time-saving hacks that have helped me stay consistent — even on the busiest days. Whether you’re a tired parent, a working homesteader, or just someone who forgets to water (same), this episode will give you a breath of fresh air and practical ideas you can try this week.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Join The Homestead Collective: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/collective/
Follow along on Instagram: @brittanylgibson
Leave a Review & Share!
If this episode helped you feel less overwhelmed and more empowered in the garden, it would mean so much if you left a review or shared it with a friend who could use a little garden encouragement.

Ep 113. The Secret to Actually Following Through on Your Homestead Plans

Do you ever start a season full of homestead goals—sourdough, gardening, preserving—and then lose steam halfway through?
You’re not alone.
In this episode, I’m sharing the real reason so many of us struggle to follow through on our homesteading plans, and a simple mindset shift that will help you stay consistent (even when life gets busy). We’ll break down what I call the Accountability Triangle—clarity, support, and consistency—and how those three things can transform your homesteading journey.
💻 Links & Resources:
🔗 Join The Homestead Collective: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/collective/
💬 Come say hi on Instagram → @brittanylgibson
📍Join our free Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thehomesteadchallengecommunity

Ep 112. Everything You Need to Know About The Homestead Collective (and Why It's Different)

Welcome to The Homestead Collective! In this episode, I’m giving you a behind-the-scenes tour of everything waiting for you inside this supportive, no-pressure homesteading community.
Whether you’re brand new or just want to get oriented, this episode will help you:
🌿 Understand the heart behind The Homestead Collective📦 Learn what’s included (monthly themes, private podcast episodes, printable tools + more)✨ Know exactly where to start so you don’t get overwhelmed💬 Feel connected, encouraged, and ready to take your next step
This isn’t about doing it all. It’s about doing what matters—with the support of a like-minded community beside you.
Links Mentioned:👉 Watch the private video workshop (available for 3 days only): Get on the Email List at https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/podcast
👉 Join the waitlist for The Homestead Collective: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/collective
👉 Follow me on Instagram: @brittanylgibson

Ep 111. 2 Things I am Focusing on Right Now on my Homestead to Move the Needle the Most

Spring is here, and if you’re feeling pulled in too many directions on your homestead — you’re not alone! In this episode, I’m sharing the two areas I’m focusing on right now and how I’m narrowing in on what actually matters most (even when I really want to do it all).
I’ll also tell you about an exclusive 30-minute workshop I’m hosting this week to help you do the same! This private workshop will help you:✅ Cut the overwhelm✅ Get super clear on your next 30-day priorities✅ Build a simple plan that moves the needle toward your goals
Whether your focus is seed starting, baby chicks, preserving food, or something completely different — this method works for homesteaders of any size and stage.
🎉 The workshop will be available Friday through Sunday ONLY, exclusively for my email list and private Facebook community!
👉 Make sure you’re on the list so you don’t miss out: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/podcast
In this episode, I chat about:🌱 Why I’m focusing on seed starting (even though I’m still figuring it out!)🥫 How I’m tackling last year’s preserves and what I’ve learned for future canning📓 A sneak peek at my new preservation calendar (coming soon to Homestead Collective members!)📝 How to start building your own focus plan for the season
✨ Join our growing Facebook community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thehomesteadchallengecommunity
Let’s connect:Instagram: @brittanylgibsonVisit the blog: thehomesteadchallenge.com
If this episode helps you feel more focused, share it with a friend who could use a little homestead clarity, too!

Ep 110. Why So Many Are Leaving the Homesteading Grind- And What I'm Doing Instead

These days, more and more people are quietly stepping back from homesteading — selling off animals, downsizing, or giving up entirely. After reading an article on the Guardian called “Why I Quit My Homestead Dream Just as Farmer Tradwives Became Mainstream,” I knew I had to sit down and talk about this growing trend… and why I’m determined to do things differently.
In this episode, I’m sharing my honest thoughts on homesteading burnout, the pressure to do it all, and how I believe we can build a homestead life that feels balanced, nourishing, and sustainable — without losing our modern freedoms or joy.
If you’ve ever felt like homesteading was becoming just another heavy checklist — this episode is for you.
In This Episode, You’ll Hear:🌱 Why so many homesteaders are burning out or stepping back🌱 How social media has changed the way we view homesteading🌱 Why community and consistency matter more than perfection🌱 What I’m doing differently — and how you can too🌱 A sneak peek inside The Homestead Collective — coming April 1st!
✨ Links & Resources:👉 Join The Homestead Collective Waitlist https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/waitlist
👉 Join our free Facebook community: The Homestead Challenge Facebook Group👉 Leave me a voice message for the podcast: thehomesteadchallenge.com/podcast👉 Connect with me on Instagram: @brittanylgibson

Ep 109. 10 Things You Can Do Today to Set Your Garden Up for Success (Even If It’s Still Cold Out)

Feeling overwhelmed by the thought of garden season? In this episode, I’m sharing 10 things you can do right now—even if it’s still cold and gloomy—to set your garden up for success and avoid that last-minute spring scramble. I’ve learned from experience that waiting until the weather is nice is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered with simple, practical steps that will make your gardening life so much easier this year.
 
Thanks for being here, friend. 💕Brittany
Leave me a Voice Message or Question >>> https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/podcast/ 
Join the FREE 5 Day Pantry Challenge >>> https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/pantry/
Join the waitlist for The Homestead Collective >>> https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/waitlist/
 

Ep 108. What No One Tells You About Homesteading (The Hardest Part)

Ever felt like you're trying to figure out homesteading all by yourself? You're not alone—and more importantly, you're not supposed to be. In this episode, we're talking about something crucial but often overlooked in homesteading: the power of community.
I'll share:
Why trying to do it all on your own can hold you back
Practical ways local community connections can transform your homesteading journey
How online communities offer instant support, inspiration, and a feeling of belonging
We'll dive deep into how finding your community—whether in person or online—can truly change your homesteading experience. It's time to trade isolation for connection, frustration for encouragement, and overwhelm for practical support.
Resources:
Loving my content? Buy me a coffee ☕☕☕ >>> https://buymeacoffee.com/brittanylgibson
Join the FREE 5 Day Pantry Challenge >>> https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/pantry/
Join the waitlist for The Homestead Collective >>> https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/waitlist/
 
Let's Connect! I'd love to hear about your homesteading journey—have you ever felt like you were doing this alone? DM me on Instagram (@brittanylgibson) or reply to my email newsletter. Remember, you weren't meant to homestead alone—and together, we'll build thriving, supportive communities that help us grow.
Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone who needs to hear it!

Ep 107. 7 Signs You're on the Edge of Homestead Burnout (and How to Stop It)

Homesteading should feel joyful, not exhausting—but let’s be real, the pressure to “do it all” can be overwhelming. If you’ve ever felt like your to-do list is never-ending, or that you’re falling behind, this episode is for you! Today, I’m sharing 6 simple shifts to help you reset, refocus, and keep homesteading sustainable and fulfilling (without guilt or burnout).
If you’re feeling stretched too thin or worried you can’t keep up, this episode will give you practical, low-pressure solutions to make homesteading work for you.
 
Thanks for being here, friend. 💕Brittany
Loving my content? Buy me a coffee ☕☕☕ >>> https://buymeacoffee.com/brittanylgibson
Join the FREE 5 Day Pantry Challenge >>> https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/pantry/
Join the waitlist for The Homestead Collective >>> https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/waitlist/