September means apple season, and we’re diving into all the ways to enjoy it. In this episode, we explore foraging for crabapples (and how to tell them apart from hawthorn), heading to the orchard for a family apple-picking trip, and the many ways we can preserve the harvest for the months ahead. From applesauce and apple butter to homemade apple cider vinegar and jelly, we’re talking about how to make the most of this abundant fall fruit.

Whether you’re foraging on your neighborhood sidewalks or hauling home a bushel from a local farm, this episode is packed with ideas to inspire your apple season.

• How to identify and use crabapples (and why they’re so underrated).

• Tips for safe and fun apple picking at orchards.

• Ways to preserve apples: canning, freezing, dehydrating, and fermenting.

• Creative ways to use peels and cores so nothing goes to waste.

• Why September feels like its own special season.

• Join The Homestead Challenge Community on Facebook to share your apple recipes.

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.

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