Heart of the Homestead Family

Mini Moment: Broccoli

Broccoli is finally in the kitchen—whether you grew it yourself or picked it up locally! 🥦 In this episode, we chat about:
Dealing with pests and cleaning your broccoli (goodbye, hidden worms 👋).
How we eat it fresh, roast it, or toss it into stir-fries and salads.
Easy ways to preserve broccoli: blanching, freezing, and storing for later.
Why you should never toss the stems (hello, soups and purees!).
Creative ways to make broccoli fun for kids—even peanut butter + broccoli!
If you’ve got an abundance of broccoli, this one’s full of tips to enjoy every bit.
 
Watch this episode on our YouTube channel!
 
And don't forget to mark your calendars for our "Simmer & Share" event happening November 8!

Mini Moment: Cauliflower

Cauliflower season has arrived! In this episode, Sarah and Heidi chat about the ups and downs of growing this sometimes-finicky veggie, why it rarely looks like the ones in the store, and how they process and preserve it for year-round use.
From roasting fresh heads to sneaking puréed cauliflower into sauces, they share their favorite tricks, surprising experiments (hello, cauliflower pizza crust), and honest family reactions. Plus — tips to keep your cauliflower bright and fresh right from the garden.
Got a favorite cauliflower recipe? They’d love to hear it!
 
Watch this episode on YouTube
And...stay tuned for details about our Simmer & Share happening October 8!

Garden Pests (and what to do about them)

Let's be honest - gardening is a lot of work and you have to be passionate about it! Even after 20+ years of gardening, we're still constantly facing new challenges. Today we're diving into one of the biggest ones: those bugs that want to eat your harvest before you do!
We're sharing our tried-and-true natural methods for dealing with the most common garden pests here in Southwestern Ontario (and beyond). No harsh chemicals needed - just practical, real-world solutions that work for small backyard gardens.
🎉 SAVE THE DATE! 🎉
Simmer & Share Event November 8th, 2025 at 10:00am
Join us for broth making, homestead tips, and getting to know each other better! We want to learn about YOU, our listeners. More registration details coming soon - you won't want to miss this!
 
Follow us on social media to stay up to date! @heart_of_the_homestead_family
 
Watch this episode on YouTube

Mini Moment: Zucchini

Zucchini season is here and it does not come quietly! One day there’s none, and the next — your kitchen is overflowing. In this episode, Sarah and Heidi chat all things zucchini: the creative ways they cook, can, freeze, dry, and sneak it into meals. From zucchini “pineapple” to quick pickles, crunchy dehydrated snacks, and even zucchini flour — we’ve got your bushel-loads covered!
 
Whether you're a first-time grower or knee-deep in green squash, there’s something in here for every homestead kitchen. 🌱
 
👉 Hit play, and let’s figure out what to do with all. that. zucchini.

August Homestead Update

Sarah and Heidi are deep in the thick of preservation season madness! July has been all about racing to keep up with the garden's bounty after what felt like endless weeding with nothing to show for it. Between hunting down impossible-to-find supplies like dill seed (seriously, why doesn't Bulk Barn carry it anymore?!) and Sarah's epic table collapse disaster that sent 100+ jars worth of pickles crashing to the floor, it's been quite the adventure. But hey, that's homesteading life - messy, unpredictable, and totally worth it when you finally master skills like whipping up 25 gallons of laundry detergent in just 10 minutes!
The ladies are super excited to announce their November 8th listener meetup in Norfolk County - a free get-together where they'll teach you how to make the most amazing broth while chatting about all things homesteading. Because let's be real, homesteading is way more fun (and way less overwhelming) when you've got a community of like-minded folks to share the ups, downs, and pickle disasters with.
Follow us on social media to catch details and sign up @heart_of_the_homestead_family
And don't forget to check out our YouTube channel!

Mini Moment: Blueberries

Blueberry season is here, and we’re loving every sweet, simple minute of it! In this episode, Sarah and Heidi chat about why blueberries are the ultimate low-maintenance fruit—from picking to freezing to baking. Whether you're tossing them in smoothies, baking them into cobblers, or just snacking by the handful, there's no wrong way to enjoy them.
Tune in for tips on storing, dehydrating, and making the most of this summer staple—without turning your kitchen into a sauna. 😉
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Mini Moment: Garlic

Join us as we dive deep into all things garlic - from harvest to kitchen! We share our favorite ways to preserve, prepare, and enjoy both garlic bulbs and scapes throughout the year.
Takeaway Tips
Freeze chopped garlic scapes for year-round use as a milder garlic substitute
Dehydrate scapes to create custom garlic seasoning blends
Pickle garlic scapes for a unique cocktail garnish
Save clean garlic skins to add flavor to homemade stocks
Don't forget to follow us on social media @heart_of_the_homestead_family

Growing Unique & Forgotten Crops in the Garden

In this episode, Sarah and Heidi dive into all the unusual, forgotten, and culturally diverse crops you can grow in your garden—from okra and eggplant to goji berries, tomatillos, ground cherries, artichokes, and more.
Learn why these lesser-known plants are gaining popularity, how they enrich your meals and your soil, and which ones are best for kids, pollinators, and homemade preserves. Plus, discover tips for preserving horseradish, sun chokes, and those sweet little cucumber melons (aka mouse melons)!
Try Sarah's favourite recipe for Ground Cherry Coffee Cake
Whether you're a homestead gardener or just planting a few rows, you'll get inspired to try something new this season!
 
Watch this episode on YouTube or check out more videos on our channel.
Listen to episode 32: "What is a Supertaster?" to find out why Heidi doesn't try all the vegetables in her garden!
✨ Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
📌 Follow us for more gardening, preserving, and homesteading inspiration.

Mini Moment: Beans

In this episode of Heart of the Homestead Family, Sarah and Heidi dive into the wonderful world of beans! Whether you're picking them fresh, freezing them, drying them, or even pickling them, there are so many ways to enjoy your harvest all year long.
Whether you're new to bean season or a seasoned grower, this episode is full of inspiration and down-to-earth advice to help you make the most of your harvest!
 
Don't forget to follow us on social media @heart_of_the_homestead_family
or check out our videos on YouTube

July Homestead Updates

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 celebrating the work that is getting done. Whether you’re weeding with your earbuds in or just dreaming of your first garden, there’s something here for everyone.
🔗 Mentioned in This Episode:→ Sarah’s Strawberry Patch Tour on YouTube→ Local Norfolk County market + pick-your-own suggestions (message us if you want the list!)
You also can watch this episode on YouTube!
Subscribe, share, and leave us a review if you enjoyed this down-to-earth chat!