Ep 120. Wild and Useful Backyard Weeds You Can Actually Use this Spring
Spring has officially arrived, and with it… a whole lot of weeds. But what if I told you that some of those wild plants popping up in your yard right now are actually useful herbs?
In this episode of The Homestead Challenge, we’re talking about 8 common backyard “weeds” that show up in early spring—like violets, chickweed, stinging nettle, garlic mustard, and more—and how you can use them safely and simply in your homestead routines.
You’ll learn:
Which backyard weeds are edible or medicinal (and which are invasive)
How to tell them apart from lookalikes without getting overwhelmed
Which herbs are helpful for spring allergies, skin soothing, and more
Why it’s totally okay not to use every single wild plant you find
Whether you’re brand new to foraging or just curious about what’s sprouting near your garden beds, this episode will give you confidence and clarity as you learn what nature is offering right in your own yard.
✨ Mentioned in this episode:
Nettle Lemonade Recipe on the Blog
Violet Face Serum
👉 Ready to start noticing what’s growing around you?
Tune in, take a walk with me, and let’s dig into some springtime inspiration.
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14:54
Ep 119. Progress Over Perfection: A Realistic Approach to Homesteading
Ever feel stuck trying to make your homestead perfect? I've been there! In today's episode, I'm sharing personal stories and practical tips about why embracing progress over perfection can transform your homesteading journey from stressful to joyful.
In this episode, you'll hear:
Why "done" truly is better than "perfect," and how simple tasks (like assembling shelves!) can illustrate this mindset.
How perfectionism often disguises itself as endless research, leading to burnout or inaction.
Real-life examples of how imperfect actions, from gardening to cooking, yield meaningful growth and satisfaction.
Encouragement to embrace the "homemade-ish" approach and why every step forward counts, no matter how small.
Mentioned in this episode:
The Homestead Collective – Join our monthly membership for support, resources, and practical ways to incorporate homesteading skills into your busy life.
The Homestead Challenge Facebook Group – Share your imperfect (and joyful!) homesteading progress with our supportive community.
Remember, your family doesn't need perfection—they just need you to show up. So let's embrace the imperfections and enjoy the journey!
Share your imperfect homesteading wins with us! We’d love to see your progress in the Facebook group.
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13:47
Ep 118. Containers vs. Raised Beds vs. In-Ground Gardens. Where Should You Plant What?
Deciding where to plant things can feel like a total mystery—especially when Instagram says one thing and your neighbor’s doing another. So let’s talk it through, without the pressure to get it “perfect.”
In this episode, I’m breaking down the pros and practical uses for containers, raised beds, and in-ground gardening—plus how I decide where to put what in my own small-space garden.
We’ll chat:
What to plant in containers (and why peppers love my grow bags!)
The crops that thrive in raised beds (especially if you’ve got heavy soil)
When to give in-ground gardening a go—and how to make it work without fancy gear
Why you have to experiment in your space and not just copy what works for someone else
How I’m planning my garden this year (hint: it’s a mix of whimsy, practicality, and learning as I go)
Whether you’re just getting started or want to make better use of the space you’ve got, this episode will help you feel more confident in choosing what goes where—with plenty of encouragement to try, fail, and try again.
🎧 Listen in and then come share what you’re planting where this year inside our free Homestead Challenge Facebook Group!
✨ Want support, ideas, and encouragement each season? Join The Homestead Collective — our private membership to help you build homesteading rhythms that actually fit your life.
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21:50
Ep 117. Why Meal Planning is the Foundation of a Busy Homestead
When most people start homesteading, they jump straight to the fun stuff—sourdough, chickens, herbal remedies. But here's the truth:
If your kitchen isn’t in rhythm, everything else feels harder.
In this episode, I’m sharing why meal planning is the foundation of a sustainable, low-stress homestead—especially if you’re busy, in a season of life with limited time, or balancing a million things at once.
🌱 Whether you’re just getting started or trying to finally feel like you’re doing the thing—this episode will help you reset, simplify, and build a foundation you can grow on.
Mentioned in this episode:
👩🌾 Join the Meal Plan Momentum challenge (free!) inside our Facebook group
👉 The Homestead Challenge Facebook Group
✨ Want to go deeper and build systems that stick?
Check out The Homestead Collective
Enjoyed this episode?
Please hit subscribe/follow, leave a quick review, and share it with a friend who’s trying to juggle real life and homesteading dreams. You’re not alone—and you don’t have to do it all perfectly to make it work.
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18:39
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
Über The Homestead Challenge Podcast | Suburban Homesteading, Gardening, Food From Scratch, Sustainable Living
Do you feel like you want to cook from scratch, grow more of your own food, or live intentionally—but never have the time or energy to do it all?
Tried diving headfirst into homesteading only to end up overwhelmed, burnt out, or wondering where to even begin?
You’re not alone.
If you’re ready to build a homestead life that actually works with your modern, busy schedule—this podcast is for you.
Inside The Homestead Challenge, you’ll find time-saving routines, realistic strategies, and practical tips to help you simplify home systems, grow what you can, and start living from scratch—without the pressure to do it all perfectly.
Hey friend. I’m Brittany—crunchy mom, city homesteader, and your go-to for making slow living possible in real life. I tried the all-at-once approach to homesteading… and crashed hard into burnout. Turns out, trying to master everything at once just wastes time, money, and a whole lot of mental energy.
But here’s the good news: homesteading doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can do this in small steps that make a big impact.
If you’re ready to create a from-scratch lifestyle with more rhythm and less chaos—grab that sourdough starter from the back of the fridge... it’s time to rise.
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com
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