Heart of the Homestead Family

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!
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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!

Mini Moment: How to Use Animal Fats

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 deliciously).
Want a step-by-step guide on how to render animal fat at home? Check out our website for details! Read about it HERE
Don't have animal fats on hand? You can grab some from Heidi's farm - Generations Marketplace!
Don't forget to check us out on social media @heart_of_the_homestead_family

Mini Moment: Peas

Fresh peas straight from the garden—what’s better? In this episode, Sarah and Heidi chat about the short but sweet pea season, how to enjoy peas beyond snacking in the garden, and a few simple ways to preserve them.
From grilling snap peas to freezing snow peas for winter stir-fries, they’re sharing all the best tips (and laughs) for making the most of your harvest. 🌱✨

Mini Moment: Making Juice

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 walk away inspired to turn that produce into something delicious—and shelf-stable!

Mini Moments: Lettuce

🥬 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 more—and how to share the extra with your animals or local farmers.
Whether you're swimming in greens or just looking to cut down on waste, this episode is for you.