In this episode, we’re challenging ourselves to free up $500 before Christmas by shopping our pantries instead of the grocery store. We talk about how to take inventory, build meal plans using what we already have, and make it fun with a visual savings tracker. It’s all about using our resources wisely, wasting less, and creating a little extra breathing room before the holidays.

Ever wonder how other homesteaders fit it all in? This week, I’m taking you behind the scenes with an honest, hour-by-hour walkthrough of my real daily schedule — chaos, coffee, and all.

In this episode, I’m sharing: 🌿 What my realistic “homestead day” looks like as a stay-at-home mom and city homesteader 🌿 How I use time-blocking (not rigid minute-by-minute planning) to stay grounded 🌿 My honest struggle with comparison and contentment 🌿 How I’ve built homesteading into daily life one small skill at a time

https://thehomesteadchallenge.com

In this episode, we talk about what fall really means for us as homesteaders and why it’s okay if we’re not caught up on every project or learning a new skill right now. We compare fall to the luteal phase of a cycle—a time for reflection, slowing down, and preparing for the restful winter ahead. We also explore how winter mirrors the menstrual phase, reminding us that rest doesn’t mean doing nothing—it’s actually the perfect time to learn, dream, and rebuild our energy.

https://thehomesteadchallenge.com

If you’re feeling tempted by all the Prime Day and early Black Friday sales but aren’t sure what’s actually worth it for your homestead — this one’s for you. I’m taking a quick break from my homestead organization series to share what I’ve been seeing lately in the world of deals and steals, what’s worth adding to your cart, and what can probably wait until next year.

In this episode, I’m talking about some of my favorite brands, the types of products that actually go on sale (and stay good quality), and how to make a wishlist that keeps you from getting sucked into the scroll.

• Why GreenStalk’s current clearance sale is the best I’ve ever seen

• How to tell if a “deal” is really a deal (hint: check regular prices first!)

• When to stock up on grow bags, seeds, and raised beds

• Power backup systems and what brands to trust

• Kitchen tools and cast iron cookware that actually go on sale

• How I use wishlist shopping to avoid impulse buys

• The one item still on my wishlist — the Presto electric pressure canner

• Don’t feel pressured to buy everything right now — there will always be another sale.

• Sign up for your favorite seed companies’ newsletters to catch those early November discounts.

• Create a wishlist before you browse so you don’t get distracted by random “lightning deals.”

• Quality over quantity — especially when it comes to garden gear and tools that need to last.

This week, I’m answering a listener question that so many of us can relate to: How do you plan your homesteading projects? Do you have a calendar?

If you’ve ever bought all the supplies for a new skill—like kombucha brewing or sourdough baking—and then never actually started, this episode is for you. I’m sharing why it’s completely normal to go through different seasons in our homesteading journey and how not everything has to happen at once.

I also talk about how I personally plan and prioritize projects, the simple tools that help me stay organized, and how I find little pockets of time in my busy week (even with kids at home). From embracing the ebb and flow of energy to letting go of perfection, this episode is your reminder that your homestead doesn’t have to look productive all the time to be meaningful.

• Why unfinished projects are completely normal

• How to think seasonally when it comes to learning new skills

• The difference between passion projects and habits

• Finding small blocks of time to get things done

• My favorite planners and simple brain-dump methods

• Giving yourself grace to grow slowly and sustainably

🌿 Mentioned in this episode:

• Common root causes of headaches and how to spot them

• How to think through OTC pain relievers vs. anti-inflammatories

• Our go-to herbal tea blend for headaches

• Tincture ideas you can adapt to your own needs

https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/the-best-herbal-tea-blend-for-headaches/

Fall is officially here, and many of us are looking at our raised beds wondering what comes next. Do we clear them out completely, or let nature do some of the work for us? In this episode, we dive into what really happens to the soil in our raised beds over winter and how we can prevent losing precious inches of dirt like my friend did when her soil dropped five full inches in just a couple of years.

We talk through the natural processes of compaction, decomposition, and erosion, plus the simple steps we can take now to protect and enrich our soil. From leaving roots behind to feed the underground ecosystem, to covering with shredded leaves or mulch, to adding compost before the snow hits — we’ll explore the best ways to “tuck in” our beds for the season. And if you’re in a warmer climate, we share cover crop ideas to keep living roots in the soil all winter long.

By the end, you’ll have practical and low-pressure ways to care for your raised beds this fall, so they’re ready and waiting to grow strong, healthy plants next spring.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why soil levels drop in raised beds over time

• The benefits of leaving roots and stems in place

• How leaves, mulch, and compost act like a protective blanket

• Tips for using cover crops if you live in a mild climate

• Simple habits to prevent losing soil year after year

👉 Join the conversation in The Homestead Challenge Facebook Community and share what you’re doing with your raised beds this fall!

If you’re anything like us, you probably love cozying up your home for fall—but maybe this year the budget feels a little tighter. Instead of going all out on store-bought décor, we’ve been leaning into using what we already have on hand, what’s growing in our garden, and even what we can forage. It’s a way to keep things festive without overspending, and the best part? Much of our décor can later be enjoyed as food, tea, or long-lasting keepsakes.

In this episode, we chat about:

• 🌿 Herbs that double as décor while drying—like sage, rosemary, thyme, oregano, chamomile, and feverfew—and how they can be used later in the kitchen or for tea

• 🎃 How to choose, cure, and store pumpkins, squash, and gourds so they last well past the season

• 💡 Creative (and frugal) ways to make a little décor go a long way, including swapping out florals for dried arrangements and refreshing spaces with seasonal touches

• 🍂 Why asters might be a better choice than mums for long-lasting fall color year after year

We want to inspire you to create instead of consume this season—using what you already have, what you can grow, and what you can forage to make your home feel festive and abundant.

✨ Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Join our Facebook community to share your own natural fall décor ideas

Let’s make this fall beautiful, budget-friendly, and just a little bit “good enough to eat.”