Heart of the Homestead Family

It’s mid-July and the gardens are bursting—but so are the weeds! 🌱 In this episode, Sarah and Heidi share a real and relatable look at homestead life during peak summer. From managing scorching heat to succession planting, balancing animal care, and just trying to keep the dishes done—it’s a season of prioritizing what matters most.

Plus: We chat about letting go of homesteading guilt, making the most of the season, and celebratin...

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the world of healthy fats—specifically, the kind that come from well-raised, local animals. Sarah and Heidi chat about the benefits of animal fats like lard, tallow, suet, and even the fat you can extract from chicken feet and beef bones.

Whether you're just curious about real fats or you're ready to ditch the seed oils, this episode gives you the basics to get started confidently (and deliciou...

In this episode of Heart of the Homestead Family, Sarah and Heidi dive into the sweet (and sometimes steamy) world of homemade juice!

From small-batch stovetop steam juicers to commercial setups that reduce food waste on the farm, they share practical tips, favorite tools, and clever ways to make the most of your fruit and veggie harvest. Whether you’ve got a garden full of berries or just a few soft peaches on the counter, you’ll ...

🥬 Lettuce might be the queen of salads, but there’s so much more it can do!

This week on Heart of the Homestead, we’re talking about how to make the most of your lettuce harvest—whether it's from the garden, market, or grocery store. From grilled Caesar to smoothie boosts and lettuce wraps, Sarah shares creative (and practical!) ways to use up those leafy greens before they wilt. Plus, tips for storing lettuce to last two weeks or...

Strawberry season is here, and it might just be better than Christmas. 🍓 In this episode, Sarah and Heidi dive into one of their favorite things to grow, harvest, and preserve—strawberries!

From growing tips and variety breakdowns to practical ways to enjoy and preserve your berry bounty all year long, this episode is packed with helpful info and homestead-tested ideas. Whether you're making jam, freezing for smoothies, or whippin...

In this jam-packed June episode, Heidi and Sarah dive into all the chaos, joy, and challenges that come with spring on the homestead. May was one of the busiest and most unpredictable months—filled with wild weather, muddy fields, frost protection efforts, and floating strawberries (yes, really).

They also share a peek into what’s coming to their new YouTube channel – think behind-the-scenes farm footage, how-tos, and eventually, v...

In this episode, we’re digging into our must-have tools for the garden—and why investing in quality gear can save you frustration (and your back). From the humble hoe to our favorite wheel hoe, we share what’s in our toolkits, how we organize them, and how we make garden work easier and more enjoyable.

Plus: ✔️ Our go-to places to shop for garden tools ✔️ Why you might want two of everything ✔️ How a simple water timer changed the ...

This week, we’re gushing over our favorite multi-purpose kitchen hero: the canning jar. 💚

From preserving garden harvests to storing bulk goods, sipping drinks, portioning snacks, and even housing Lego collections — these glass wonders do it all. We share our favorite ways to use them, how they’ve replaced plastic in our kitchens, and why they’ve become our go-to for convenience, sustainability, and sanity.

🎧 Tune in to learn how...

Spring is here, and so is asparagus season! 🌱 In this fun, flavorful episode, we dive into everything you need to know about harvesting, cooking, and preserving asparagus—from roadside ditches in Norfolk to your kitchen table.

We chat about:

• Why asparagus needs daily harvesting (and why it drives us a little crazy)

• Local asparagus pride in Norfolk’s sandy soil

• Creative ways to use asparagus: pickled, grilled, in soup, an...

In this episode, we dig into the joys and realities of gardening with kids. From choosing easy seeds like peas and beans, to setting realistic expectations (yes, someone might cry), we share practical tips and personal stories about growing food as a family.

You’ll Learn:

• Easy, kid-friendly crops to grow

• Why gardening is a great outdoor learning tool

• How to manage mess and meltdowns with humor

• Creative ways to get kids ...

In this week’s episode, we’re continuing the conversation about rhubarb — but with a new twist! Farmer Heidi shares an “aha moment” about how rhubarb and other early spring foods might be nature’s way of helping our bodies reset after a winter of heavy, starchy meals.

We explore how eating seasonally isn’t just good for the environment or local farms — it’s actually how our bodies are designed to thrive. From watching animals forag...

In this episode, we dig into the basics of companion planting—what it is, where it began, and how you can use it to build a healthier, more productive garden. 

We also explore the mental, emotional, and physical benefits of being out in the garden. From improved microbiome health and vitamin D absorption to building patience and resilience, gardening offers more than just food.

Topics Covered:

• What is companion planting &...

Got rhubarb piling up in your kitchen or freezer? You're not alone! In this springtime episode, we're sharing our favourite ways to harvest, preserve, and use rhubarb — from sweet treats to savoury dishes.

We chat about:

• How (and when) to properly harvest rhubarb

• Safe handling tips (don’t eat the leaves!)

• Our go-to ways to preserve rhubarb: freezing, juicing, freeze-drying

• Favourite recipes like cobblers, jams, pork wit...

Ever wonder what a real-life homestead kitchen looks like in the middle of spring? In this laid-back episode, we’re chatting about the real state of our kitchen counters — from piles of dishes and pre-made mixes to jars of freeze-dried goodies, a busy bread machine, and overflowing compost bins.

We talk about how our counter changes with the seasons, how we make quick meals while living outdoors most of the day, and why convenience...

We got a great listener question this week: How do you find the time to garden?

In this episode, we’re sharing how gardening became part of our lifestyle — not just a chore, but a daily rhythm that brings joy and calm. From starting small to involving the kids (or just savoring a quiet morning with your coffee), we offer practical tips for working a garden into even the busiest days. Whether you're growing for business or just your...

In today’s episode, we’re diving into a question that’s both simple and complicated: How do you take a vacation when you have a farm? Spoiler alert — it’s not easy, but it is possible with some creativity, planning, and a whole lot of love for the life you’ve built.

And then stay tuned for the second half where we give you an update on our farms. From opening weekend at our seasonal marketplace to letting the cows out (a true highl...

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and today on Wednesday Mini Moments, Sarah and Heidi are sharing their heartfelt — and humorous — wishes for the perfect Mother's Day! 🌸

From dreaming of a few hours of uninterrupted quiet (hello, nap time!) to practical gifts like potted plants, homemade birdhouses, and handy tools for homestead life, they reflect on what makes this day special for moms at every stage.

Wishing a Happy Mothe...

In this Wednesday Mini Moment, Sarah and Heidi share their personal goals for the upcoming growing season. 🌱 From growing enough cucumbers for pickling to starting vegetable breeding trials, they dive into the big and small ways they're building resilience and abundance on their homesteads.

Whether you’re tending a backyard garden or dreaming of a bigger homestead, this episode will inspire you to set a few growing goals of your o...