Ep 140. How I am Managing Common Garden Pests and Fungus Organically
We’re deep in garden season here in Northeast Ohio, and while things are starting to grow, so are the problems—mainly pests! In this chatty episode, we share what’s been stealing our squash and cucumber flowers (spoiler: we suspect birds and raccoons), plus the low-pressure, organic-friendly methods we’re using to deal with it all. From fencing and fake snakes to garden-safe sprays and a bit of "let-it-go" attitude, we’re doing what we can and letting the rest go. Whether you’re new to pest issues or just curious what’s working for us this year, we hope this episode feels like a garden chat with a friend.
What We Cover:
Why all our squash flowers are mysteriously disappearing
What we’re doing to deter birds, raccoons, and maybe even possums
A few affordable tools we’re trying: fencing, fake snakes, pinwheels, and more
Organic products we actually use (like Captain Jack’s and diatomaceous earth)
How we’re handling fungus and when we just pull plants and move on
Why we’re harvesting tomatoes early this year (and how we freeze our carrots)
Resources Mentioned:
Captain Jack’s Dead Bug
Diatomaceous Earth for Ants
Arber Bio Fungicide
Our Facebook Group: The Homestead Challenge Community
Let’s Chat:
What pests are giving you trouble this year—and how are you dealing with them? Come join the conversation in our free Facebook group!
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Ep 139. 7 Things I Always Have in My Prepper Pantry (That I Actually Use)
Feeling overwhelmed by all the prepping videos telling you to stock a bunker full of buckets? Yeah… me too. In this episode, I’m sharing the real-life pantry staples I actually keep on hand—and actually use—to help fight inflation, feed my family, and stay prepared without the stress. From rice and beans to olive oil and condiments, we’re keeping it simple, budget-friendly, and totally doable. You probably already have most of these—and that means you’re more prepared than you think.
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com
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Ep 138. Red, White & Bloom: Garden-Inspired Ideas for Your July 4th Party
Planning a backyard barbecue or garden party this summer? In this episode, I’m sharing easy, no-fuss ways to elevate your July 4th (or any summer) gathering using herbs, flowers, and simple ingredients from your garden—even if your harvest isn’t quite rolling in yet.
Whether you're hosting, heading to a potluck, or just want to add a little beauty to your table, these ideas will help you use what you have in fun, creative ways that spark conversation and joy.
🌿 In this episode:
– Simple ways to infuse drinks with herbs or floral ice cubes
– How to make a fruit salad or charcuterie board extra pretty
– Herbs that help keep bugs away from your patio
– Easy compound butter ideas (bonus points if you shape them!)
– A gentle reminder that even small touches make a big impact
🎧 Listen in and then tag me @brittanylgibson to show off your table setup!
🔗 Links mentioned:
– Red, White & Blue Herbal Iced Teas
– The Homestead Challenge Facebook Group
✨ Take what works, leave the rest—and have a beautiful, garden-fresh summer celebration.
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Ep 137. 5 Things I am Loving on the Homestead this Summer
In this laid-back summer episode, I’m sharing a few things that have been making life sweeter lately—from a nostalgic radio habit to a bread machine I never thought I’d love. I talk about letting go of homesteading perfectionism, the iced tea blend I’m drinking on repeat, and why I’m finally embracing my crockpot in the summer. If you're looking for low-pressure inspiration, practical swaps, and a little dose of seasonal joy, this one's for you.
👉 Mentioned in this episode:
• Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver
• My Compact Cuisinart bread machine
• Summer crockpot meals
• My favorite iced herbal tea blend
• Greenstalk planter sale
• …and why I’ve turned the radio back on
🎧 Tune in and get inspired to slow it down this summer—90s-style.
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Ep 136. Summer Herbal Uses for Rosemary
Is rosemary just a fall and winter herb? Not anymore. In this episode, we’re exploring all the surprising ways to use rosemary right now—while it’s thriving in the heat and taking over the garden beds.
We talk about:
Why rosemary thrives in summer (and how to grow it better)
What makes rosemary so powerful as an herbal remedy (hello, memory + mood boost)
Everyday ways to use rosemary in the summer—from scalp rinses and herbal oils to bug spray and fire starters
How to preserve rosemary now so you’ll have it ready for fall cooking and winter remedies
Plus, I share some of the rosemary-based DIYs that are already on the blog and a couple new ones going up this week—including rosemary salt and infused oil.
If your rosemary plant is bursting at the seams or you’ve just never known what to do with it in the warmer months, this episode is full of inspiration.
🌿 Resources + Links:
DIY Herbal Bug Spray
Homemade Thieves-Style Herbal Cleaner
Decongestant Chest Salve (Vapor Rub Style)
🎧 Listen + Share:
If you enjoy this episode, please leave a 5-star written review! It helps more folks find the podcast—and we’re on a mission to hit 100,000 downloads by fall. 💛
About The Homestead Challenge Podcast | Suburban Homesteading, Gardening, Food From Scratch, Sustainable Living
Do you feel like you want to cook from scratch, grow more of your own food, or live intentionally—but never have the time or energy to do it all?
Tried diving headfirst into homesteading only to end up overwhelmed, burnt out, or wondering where to even begin?
You’re not alone.
If you’re ready to build a homestead life that actually works with your modern, busy schedule—this podcast is for you.
Inside The Homestead Challenge, you’ll find time-saving routines, realistic strategies, and practical tips to help you simplify home systems, grow what you can, and start living from scratch—without the pressure to do it all perfectly.
Hey friend. I’m Brittany—crunchy mom, city homesteader, and your go-to for making slow living possible in real life. I tried the all-at-once approach to homesteading… and crashed hard into burnout. Turns out, trying to master everything at once just wastes time, money, and a whole lot of mental energy.
But here’s the good news: homesteading doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can do this in small steps that make a big impact.
If you’re ready to create a from-scratch lifestyle with more rhythm and less chaos—grab that sourdough starter from the back of the fridge... it’s time to rise.
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com
Listen to The Homestead Challenge Podcast | Suburban Homesteading, Gardening, Food From Scratch, Sustainable Living, Walk-In Talk Podcast and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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