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. 💛
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14:00
Ep 135. Calm the Heart: Herbs for Stress and Ditching the Pressure
This summer hasn’t felt quite as peaceful as I hoped—and maybe you’re feeling the same. In this episode, I’m opening up about the stress I’ve been feeling lately, even while trying to do all the things to slow down. If you’ve ever felt like natural living was starting to feel more stressful than supportive, this conversation is for you.
We’ll walk through what I call my “ladder of intervention”—a gentle framework I use to decide when to reach for lifestyle changes, herbal support, or something stronger. I’m also sharing my go-to stress tea recipe, the story of how I got off anxiety meds with herbs, and a brand-new tincture recipe that supports your nervous system and your heart.
Links + Resources:
🌿 Make the Calm Heart Tincture:
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/heart-tincture/
🍵 Get the Stress + Anxiety Herbal Tea Recipe:
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/best-herbal-tea-recipe-for-anxiety/
📱 DM me on Instagram: @brittanylgibson
If this episode gave you some peace or a fresh perspective, would you share it with a friend who might need it too? Or leave a quick review to help more homesteaders and natural living mamas find the show?
Thanks for being here, friend. We’re in this together. 💛
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13:27
Ep 134. The Power of Patience in the Garden (and Beyond)
Whether you're staring at empty patches in your garden or waiting for your ferments to finish bubbling, this lifestyle is full of waiting. And in a culture that celebrates overnight success and 30-second videos, that can feel extra hard.
But what if the waiting is actually part of the growth?
In this episode, I'm sharing:
Why waiting is one of the hardest parts of homesteading
How impatience has shown up for me lately (spoiler: I’ve replanted seeds way too early)
Real-life encouragement for those of us in the messy middle of any project
Simple things you can do while you wait that actually move you forward
Why slow success is more satisfying—and sustainable—than quick wins
“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Whether you're waiting on seeds, sourdough, or just a quieter season in life—this one’s for you.
🧑🌾 Come connect!
Say hi on Instagram: @brittanylgibson
Join the community: The Homestead Collective Facebook Group
📣 Leave a review if you loved this episode—it truly helps others find the podcast and keeps this community growing.
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11:00
Ep 133. This is the Year You Will Start Canning (or stick with it!)
Ready to finally start canning—or actually stick with it this time? This is the year we let go of perfection and start preserving food in a way that’s doable, satisfying, and not totally overwhelming. In this episode, I’m sharing why I started canning, the real reasons you might want to give it a go, and the simplest ways to begin—whether you’re working with homegrown tomatoes or a bucket of u-pick strawberries.
I also talk through some of my biggest canning mistakes (like impulse produce purchases without a plan ), why it helps to prep now before the harvest hits, and the beginner-friendly recipes that I think everyone should try first.
What You’ll Learn:
The real-life reasons to start canning (and why it’s not just about saving money)
What you actually need to get started (hint: not a root cellar or 1,000 jars)
Why planning ahead is the #1 thing that makes canning feel manageable
Easy beginner recipes like jam and tomato sauce—and why small batches count
My favorite tools, tips, and honest lessons learned over the past few years
Mentioned in This Episode:
Ep. 13 – Canning Mistakes I’ve Made So You Don’t Have To
Ep. 91 – The First 10 Things I Ever Canned (and Why)
Canning Tips + Tools I Use
My Amazon Storefront: Canning Favorites
👉 Leave a 5-star written review if this episode was helpful—it means so much and helps others find the show!
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16:02
Ep 132. Letting Go of Perfectionism in the Garden
If your garden feels a little behind, messy, or flat-out disappointing this year—you are not alone. In this episode of The Homestead Challenge, we’re talking all about releasing perfectionism in the garden so you can enjoy the process, learn as you grow, and stop comparing your reality to picture-perfect plots on Instagram.
Whether your tomato starts failed, your trellis dreams didn’t happen, or you’re still throwing seeds in the dirt a month later than you planned—this is your permission slip to keep going.
🌱 What We Cover in This Episode:
Why even seasoned gardeners have setbacks (spoiler: I might need new tomatoes)
Reframing the idea that there’s a “right way” to garden
Creative ways to use what you have—containers, trellises, and all
When it’s totally okay to buy a few plant starts (even if you wanted to grow from seed!)
The beauty of direct sowing and learning through trial and error
How your garden space—no matter the size—can still nourish your soul
👩🌾 Join the Conversation:
Come post your “imperfect” garden wins with us in the Homestead Challenge Facebook Community. It’s a no-pressure space full of encouragement and real-life garden chat.
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, The Real Time Show and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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