Heart of the Homestead Family

Urban Gardening

Think you need a big backyard to start gardening? Think again! 🌱 In this episode, Sara and Heidi explore the world of urban gardening — from small patches of grass to balconies and community plots, there are so many ways to grow your own food right where you are.
We cover practical tips for improving poor soil, working with limited sunlight, maximizing small spaces, and keeping pests at bay. You’ll learn how to make the most of what you’ve got — whether that’s a sunny balcony, a shady yard, or a borrowed plot from a neighbor.
 
Check out our favourite resources:
Urban Farmer by Curtis Stone - HERE
"SPIN" Farming - HERE 
 
Whether you're new to gardening or just trying to make it work in the city, this episode is packed with encouragement and actionable advice to help you grow where you're planted.
 
🌿 Let’s turn concrete corners into edible oases — one garden at a time.

Mini Moment: Favourite Ways to Preserve

In this episode, Sarah and Heidi chat about one of the most common questions homesteaders face — what’s the best way to preserve your harvest?
From Heidi’s new favourite (freeze drying!) to their tried-and-true love for water bath canning, they share practical tips and personal experiences about how they store homegrown food for year-round use. 
Whether you’re stocking up from your garden or the farmers' market, this episode will inspire you to think ahead for preserving season — and make the most of your harvest, big or small.
 
👉 Got questions about canning or food storage? Sarah and Heidi would love to hear from you!

How to Start a Homestead

In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the basics of getting started with homesteading — even if you don’t have a ton of land (or any at all!). Whether you’re living in an apartment, a small home, or planning to buy your first piece of property, Sara and Heidi share real-life tips for building self-sufficiency one step at a time.
We talk about everything from goal-setting, planning your space, sourcing food locally, borrowing tools, and learning essential skills before you need them. Homesteading isn’t about acreage — it’s about mindset and making the most of what you’ve got!
Check out the podcast episode about starting a garden HERE
For more details about Bringing Animals to Your Homestead, check out this blog post HERE
If you need help, encouragement or just want to chat, send Sarah and Heidi a message on social media @heart_of_the_homestead_family

Bonus Episode: What is a Supertaster?

In this episode, Sarah and Heidi share some surprising truths — including a fun confession from Heidi! Despite all the hard work she puts into growing and creating homestead goodness, she often doesn’t eat much of it. Why? She’s a super taster!
Tune in as they chat about what it means to be a super taster, why some foods can be overwhelming, and how this little-known fact might help explain “picky eaters” in your own home — especially for kids or even yourself.
✨ Thanks for joining us! Make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and until next time — enjoy filling your hearts and your jars!

Mini Moments: Rabbit Holes

Welcome to another mini moment with Sarah and Heidi!
In this cozy chat, we’re talking about the idea of “rabbit holes” — not the kind a bunny digs, but the ones we all fall into when curiosity takes over. Whether it starts with the taste of a farm-fresh egg or questions about food, skincare, or homesteading life, once you start learning, it can be hard to stop!
We share how exploring these topics can be both exciting and overwhelming, and why it’s okay to pause, take a break, and return when you’re ready. Choose your rabbit holes wisely — and enjoy the journey.
Thanks for listening, and until next time, keep filling your hearts and your jars!

April Update On Our Homesteads

Spring is here — and the homestead hustle is in full swing! In this episode, we’re giving you an honest behind-the-scenes update on what the last six weeks have looked like on our farms: the good, the bad, and the muddy.
We chat about:
Wrapping up maple syrup season (and the sweet ups & downs)
Seed starting successes and greenhouse fails
Baby animals arriving — and the bittersweet moments of farm life
Kitchen experiments from homemade pasta to DIY shaving cream
Spring pruning, propagating, and preparing for the busy growing season
Homestead classes, events, and a peek into our upcoming plans! You can check out all the classes HERE
Plus, a little heads-up: ticks are already out and about — so don’t skip those tick checks!
Thanks for joining us for this catch-up! As the season gets busier, we’ll be slowing down the podcast a bit but adding more videos on YouTube so you can follow along with us in real time. Stay tuned for more details!

Mini Moments: Leafy Greens

From lettuce and kale to Swiss chard and spinach, leafy greens are some of the easiest—and most rewarding—plants to grow in your garden. In this episode, Sarah and Heidi dig into the world of greens: how to grow them, when to plant them, what to do when they bolt, and how to make them last all season long. 🥗
Whether you're stuffing kale into smoothies or harvesting Swiss chard for the freezer, this episode is full of practical tips to get more greens on your plate—and fewer on your grocery list. Bonus: Baby James makes a surprise cameo! 👶
 
📍 For more info, visit: heartofthehomesteadfamily.ca
 

What We Don't Buy at the Grocery Store

In this episode, we dive into the many foods and household items we no longer buy from the grocery store—because we're growing, raising, or making them ourselves. From homegrown vegetables and backyard chickens to homemade jam, bone broth, maple syrup, and dairy products, we're sharing what our homesteads provide and how this journey has evolved over the years.
This lifestyle didn’t happen overnight—it’s been a long, intentional journey toward self-sufficiency. Come hear how we’ve changed our grocery lists one season at a time. 📝🌱🐄🍓
 
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Mini Moments: Onions

In this episode, we dive into the world of onions—an essential ingredient in every homestead kitchen. We explore different varieties, from classic yellow and red onions to cipollini, shallots, and the ever-versatile green onions.  We also share techniques for preserving onions by dehydrating, freeze-drying, and making onion powder. Plus, discover how to use onions in dips, soups, and everyday recipes without the hassle of chopping fresh each time.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a kitchen enthusiast, this episode will help you make the most of your onion harvest all year long! 🌱🧅

Creating with Dairy

Join us as we dive into the world of dairy! We both raise Jersey cows, known for their rich, creamy milk, and today, we're sharing our experiences with raw milk, the history of pasteurization, and why we love our Jerseys. We'll also discuss A2 milk, the benefits of whole dairy, and the many delicious things we make from our milk—like butter, yogurt, and homemade ice cream!
Recipes:Check out our homemade bagel recipe using homemade yogurt!
 
🎧 Listen now and get inspired to bring fresh dairy into your kitchen!