Heart of the Homestead Family

If you had limited space, limited time, or simply wanted to focus on the crops that give you the biggest return, what would you grow?
In this episode, we each share our top three must-grow crops and explain why they earned a place on our list. From garlic and tomatoes to beans, lettuce, strawberries, and cabbage, we discuss the crops that are versatile, easy to preserve, simple to store, and make the biggest difference in our kitchens all year long.
Whether you're planning next year's garden or trying to simplify this season, this episode will help you prioritize what matters most.
 
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When the garden is overflowing with berries, herbs, and fresh produce, it's the perfect time to skip the store-bought drinks and create refreshing beverages right from your own backyard.
In this episode of Heart of the Homestead Family, we're sharing our favorite homemade summer drinks—from fruit juices and kombucha to herbal infusions, strawberry milk, popsicles, and old-fashioned switchel (haymaker's punch). We also talk about simple ways to use every part of your harvest, reduce waste, and make nutritious drinks your whole family will love.
Whether you're harvesting from your own garden or shopping at your local farmers' market, these ideas will help you stay cool, hydrated, and inspired all summer long.
Whether you're preserving the harvest or simply looking for healthier alternatives to store-bought drinks, you'll leave with plenty of ideas to try this summer.
If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who loves gardening, preserving, or homestead living.
Learn more about Caroline's clamping and events spot - Homegrown Hideaway
Want to try making homemade kombucha? Check out our Recipe!

Preserving season is here!
If your garden is overflowing or you've stocked up on fresh local produce, this episode is packed with practical tips to make preserving easier and more efficient. We're sharing the tools we reach for most when freezing, canning, fermenting, dehydrating, and freeze drying—plus simple organization tips that help preserve the harvest without feeling overwhelmed.
In this episode, we discuss:
Our favorite time-saving preserving tools
Tips for freezing, canning, fermenting, dehydrating, and freeze drying
Kitchen organization that makes preserving season run smoothly
How to prepare ahead so harvest days are less stressful
Whether you're preserving your first batch of jam or filling shelves with homegrown food, these tips will help you save time and enjoy the process.
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Learn more about the South Coast Homestead Conference, we can't wait to see you there!

The garden is growing... and so is the to-do list! 🌱
In this episode of Heart of the Homestead Family, we're sharing what happens after everything is planted. From watering, weeding, pruning, and trellising to dealing with pests, harvesting, and making a plan for preserving your produce, we cover the day-to-day tasks that keep a garden thriving. Plus, we share practical tips we've learned through experience to help you enjoy the growing season without letting your harvest go to waste.
 
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Check out Heidi's marketplace and learning centre - Generations Marketplace 

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!

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!

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!

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!

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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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