Heart of the Homestead Family

Tips to Avoid Overwhelm on the Homestead

Feeling overwhelmed by homesteading season? You’re not alone. In this episode, we talk about managing the busy spring and summer months, balancing home life with garden life, learning new skills without burnout, and giving yourself grace when things don’t go according to plan. From canning and gardening to messy houses and community support, this is your reminder that homesteading isn’t a competition.
 
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Learn more about the South Coast Homestead Conference happening September 2026!

Spring Homestead Updates - Here Is What Has Been Happening!

Welcome back to the homestead for a big spring update! In this episode, we’re chatting all about the chaos of May gardening in Southwestern Ontario — from heat waves and frost warnings to tornado alerts and nonstop rain. If your garden plans have felt all over the place lately, you are definitely not alone.
We share what’s happening on our homesteads right now, including:
What we’ve planted (and what we’re still waiting to plant)
Frost protection strategies for tomatoes, peppers, and tender crops
Greenhouse lessons learned the hard way
Building and filling raised beds on a budget
Using hugelkultur methods with logs, leaves, compost, and organic matter
What we’re already harvesting this season
Perennial herbs and wild foraging favorites
Managing grass, animals, fencing, and spring overwhelm
Farm tours, plant sales, and opening for the season
Whether your seedlings are thriving or you’re still staring at an unplanted garden bed, this episode is your reminder that gardening season is a marathon, not a sprint.
Thanks for listening to the Heart of the Homestead Family podcast!Make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow gardener or homesteader.
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Website: heartofthehomesteadfamily.ca
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Learn more about Heidi's farm "Generation's Marketplace" and all they have to offer HERE
Enjoy filling your hearts and your jars!

Let's Talk Perennials - The Best Investment for Your Garden!

From haskap berries to horseradish, we’re talking all about perennial plants that keep producing year after year with less work in the garden. In this episode, we share some of our favorite perennial fruits, vegetables, and herbs that thrive in our Southern Ontario homesteads — including a few unique varieties you may not have heard of before.
We chat about:
Why perennials are one of the easiest ways to grow more food
Haskap berries, gooseberries, currants, goji berries, and grapes
Thornless berry varieties and easy-to-propagate plants
Rhubarb, asparagus, sunchokes, horseradish, and perennial spinach
The pros and cons of different perennial crops
Why patience pays off with perennial gardening
How perennial plants can provide food from spring through fall
Whether you’re just starting your homestead or looking to add more low-maintenance food sources to your garden, this episode is full of practical ideas and encouragement.
 
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Check out Homegrown Hideaway and plan your next summer adventure!

Creating Healthy Soil

Getting your garden off to a strong start begins with your soil. In this episode, the ladies dive into simple, practical ways to add nutrients, improve soil health, and set your garden up for a productive season. From composting basics to using natural amendments like manure, ash, and cover crops, you’ll learn how to work with what you have and build healthier soil over time.
 
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Learn more about Generations Marketplace which opens for the 2026 season May 7!

Early Foraging in Southern Ontario

In this episode of Heart of the Homestead Family, we’re heading outside the garden and into the wild to explore early spring foraging in Southern Ontario.
If your garden beds aren’t quite ready yet, don’t worry—there’s still so much you can harvest right now. The ladies share some of their favourite early-season finds growing in forests, pastures, and even your own backyard, along with simple ways to use them for food and natural remedies.
You’ll hear about easy-to-identify plants like dandelions (yes—all parts are usable!), as well as other seasonal finds like stinging nettle, garlic mustard, violets, cattails, and more. From teas and soups to fun kitchen experiments, there are plenty of ways to start incorporating wild foods into your homestead.
They also walk through important foraging safety tips, including how to properly identify plants, where it’s safe (and legal) to forage, and how to harvest responsibly so these plants continue to grow year after year.
Whether you’re brand new to foraging or just looking for a few new ideas this spring, this episode will inspire you to step outside and see what’s already growing around you 🌱
 
More information about the South Coast Homesteading Conference is coming soon so stay tuned!
 
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Allie's Favourite Vegetable - Parsnips!

In this episode, the ladies dive into an unexpected favorite on the homestead—parsnips! Ali shares why she loves this often-overlooked root vegetable, from its sweet, unique flavor to its ability to overwinter and provide a harvest when almost nothing else is growing.
They chat about how to grow parsnips, when to plant and harvest them, and why patience is key with this long-season crop. You’ll also hear simple, delicious ways to use them in your kitchen—from soups and stews to roasting alongside other veggies.
If you’ve never tried growing (or cooking with) parsnips, this episode might just convince you to give them a spot in your garden.
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Sponsored by Meadow Lynn Market GardenFor quality seedlings, spring plant sales, CSA boxes, and fresh strawberries, visit Meadow Lynn Market Garden this season.
Follow them on social media @meadowlynnmarket

What We're Doing in the Kitchen to Prepare for the Busy Garden Season

Spring is here, but before garden season takes over, there’s still time to wrap things up in the kitchen. In this episode, the ladies share how they’re clearing out freezers, using up preserved food, and getting prepared for the busy months ahead.
From pressure canning and batch cooking to experimenting with garlic, rhubarb, and homemade staples like soap, this conversation is full of practical, real-life homesteading tips. They also talk about learning from what’s left in the freezer (and what didn’t get eaten!) to better plan for the year ahead.
If you’re in that in-between season of finishing winter stores and gearing up for spring, this episode will give you plenty of ideas and encouragement.
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Sponsored by Homegrown HideawayPlan a fun outing this season at Homegrown Hideaway! From glamping to special events and summer concerts, it’s the perfect place to gather and enjoy the season. Check them out on social media or visit their website to learn more - https://homegrownhideaway.com/ 

You Don't Have to Follow the Calendar for Planting!

In this episode, the ladies chat about why the May long weekend isn’t the only time to plant your garden—and how tuning into nature can make planting easier and more successful. From watching for blooming flowers to understanding soil temperature, pest cycles, and even moon phases, they share simple ways to work with the seasons instead of feeling rushed by the calendar.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to get everything planted at once, this conversation will help you slow down, spread things out, and grow with more confidence.
 
Want to help us out? Like and leave a review on our podcast, then share this episode with a friend to help them with their planting journey!
 
This episode is sponsored by Heidi—be sure to visit Generations Marketplace to explore what they have to offer. You can also find them on social media or check out their website to learn more! 
 
Find us on social media @heart_of_the_homestead_family!

Garden Planning on the Homestead

Spring is here, and that means it’s time to start thinking about the garden! 🌱 In this episode, the Heart of the Homestead Family shares what’s happening on their farms right now—from cleaning up last year’s garden beds to dreaming (and maybe over-dreaming 😉) with seed catalogs.
The ladies chat about expanding gardens, adding flowers alongside vegetables, growing and preserving herbs, and the realities of garden planning (because what you plan… isn’t always what happens!). They also share helpful tips on crop rotation, garden planning methods, and tools like garden planning apps to stay organized through the season.
Whether you’re planting your first seeds or mapping out acres, this episode will leave you inspired to dig in and grow something this spring.
🌼 In this episode:
Spring garden prep and clean-up
Planning vs. reality in the garden
Adding flowers for beauty (and function!)
Growing, using, and preserving herbs
Garden planning tools and techniques
Check out Caroline's favourite online garden planning tool from Mother Earth News
Learn more about Meadow Lynn Market Garden
Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join us as we head into a brand new growing season!

A Fresh Season With New Voices

In this episode, we’re introducing some new voices to the podcast—Caroline and Allie—and sharing a little about each of our homesteads and lifestyles here in Southwestern Ontario.
From multi-generational farms and CSA programs to glamping retreats and hobby farms, each of us brings a unique perspective on homesteading and living closer to the land. We also chat about what’s been happening this season—from wrapping up maple syrup production to starting seedlings, pruning orchards, and tackling those long-awaited winter projects.
Even in this “quiet” time of year, life on the homestead is full—mud, melting snow, busy greenhouses, and lots of behind-the-scenes work to prepare for the growing season ahead.
Whether you're a seasoned homesteader or just getting started, this episode is a fun, real-life glimpse into the rhythms of farm and family life.
🌱 In this episode, we cover:
Meet the hosts and their homesteads
Spring updates from the farm
Maple syrup season reflections
Seed starting + greenhouse life
Winter projects and from-scratch cooking
The reality of mud season
🎧 Be sure to subscribe and follow along for more homesteading conversations!
 
Learn more about Caroline and her space for "glamping" in Southern Ontario - Homegrown Hideaway