Have you ever held off on starting a garden because you were in a rental or temporary living space? In this episode, I’m sharing all the things I wish I had known back when we were in military housing—before we settled into what we think is our forever home.

If you're renting or just feeling unsure about investing in a garden you might not have for long, this episode is for you. From containers that are worth the splurge to mistakes I wouldn’t make again, I’m walking you through how to garden smarter (not harder) when space and time are limited.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why I regret building an in-ground raised bed at a rental house

• What I’d use instead (hello, galvanized beds + elevated planters!)

• My love for grow bags and how they make gardening so flexible

• Thoughts on GreenStalks—are they worth it, and when?

• What to grow when you can’t grow everything: my "feel rich" picks

• Why learning in a rental garden actually helped me long term

• How to support your food storage goals even if you can’t grow much

Links & Resources:

• 🌿 Join The Homestead Challenge Community on Facebook

• 🎧 Check out the Garden Party Podcast – May 21st episode

• 🛍️ Shop My Amazon Storefront for Garden Containers Mentioned

Let’s Connect: Tag me on Instagram @brittanylgibson if you’re gardening in a rental or small space—I’d love to cheer you on and see what you’re growing!

And if you loved this episode, it would mean the world if you left a 5-star written review. Your support helps this podcast reach more like-minded gardeners. 💛

Summer adventures often come with scrapes, bug bites, and garden mishaps, so today we're sharing our real-life herbal first aid remedies that keep our family comfortable and safe all season long. Learn how easy it is to prepare a natural first-aid kit, starting with two must-have items: a powerful wound-healing salve and a gentle but effective bug spray.

Resources Mentioned:

• Wound Salve Recipe (step-by-step)

• Homemade Herbal Bug Spray Recipe

• Aloe Soap for Sunburn

Join The Homestead Collective:

• Ready for deeper dives and live workshops? Join us in The Homestead Collective Membership!

Feeling the May rush? Me too! Between preschool graduations and gardening, it's been busy around here. So, to lighten things up, I created a stress-free Summer Homestead Bucket List filled with manageable, fun projects. Join me as I share ideas like growing new tea herbs, frying zucchini blossoms, hosting dreamy garden dinners, crafting citronella candles, and making homemade kombucha.

Plus, I'm diving into the mindset of sustainability over survival—reminding us all that homesteading should be joyful, not stressful. Whether you're an experienced homesteader or just starting out, this episode is sure to inspire a relaxing, fulfilling summer.

Links: The Homestead Collective

Feeling the late spring overwhelm creeping into your garden season? You're not alone! Between end-of-school chaos, planning summer fun, and diving headfirst into gardening, it's completely normal to feel behind.

In today's episode, I'm sharing the gardening "rules" I joyfully ignore and explain why gardening with flexibility and curiosity often beats chasing perfection. From skipping strict crop rotations to planting earlier than recommended (hello, impatience!), discover how embracing imperfection might just be the secret to enjoying your garden more than ever.

Your garden doesn't have to be picture-perfect to be wonderful. Let’s garden imperfectly together!

Join the conversation: Head over to our Facebook community (The Homestead Challenge) to share your own garden adventures and see what others are up to.

Happy gardening!

We all love the idea of saving money through homesteading—but is it actually cheaper to DIY everything when you live in the city or suburbs? In this episode, we break down the real numbers behind some popular homesteading tasks using actual prices from our area. From making your own butter and yogurt to growing a garden and baking sourdough, we’re taking a close look at what really saves money—and what’s worth doing for other reasons like quality, sustainability, or self-sufficiency.

Spoiler: Sometimes the savings are real—and sometimes, it’s more about the why behind what we do.

• Pantry Stocking Challenge – Free 5-Day Series

• Join The Homestead Collective for more support, tools, and no-pressure progress

Springtime eating often leaves us wondering what's fresh beyond the classic salad—but May has plenty to offer! In today's episode, we're exploring vibrant and delicious ways to enjoy the seasonal produce that May brings to our kitchens.

We'll also dive into some early preserving projects. Plus, we're discussing why now is the ideal time to clear out last year’s pantry and freezer goods, with practical tips and inspiration for deliciously using up your stored harvest.

Resources Mentioned:

• How to Make Chive Salt

• Chive-Infused Oil Tutorial

• Join us on Facebook to share your favorite spring recipes and preserving projects!

Enjoyed this episode? Please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps others find seasonal inspiration too!

Summer means longer days, less structure, and more opportunities—but without planning, it can quickly turn overwhelming. In this episode, we share practical tips to create a relaxed, memorable summer without the stress or guilt about unfinished tasks.

You’ll learn:

• Why creating a brain dump works better than traditional bucket lists

• How to organize your summer activities into two easy categories: Fun (family memories) and Projects (home & homestead tasks)

• A simple strategy for designing a family-friendly summer calendar that reduces stress and adds predictability

• Easy homestead project planning to stay productive without burnout

• Practical dinner solutions for those busy, outdoor-filled days

• Quick household routines to keep things functional, peaceful, and manageable throughout the summer

Tune in to simplify your summer plans and focus on what truly matters: fun, family, and a balanced homestead life.

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Homestead Collective Membership for more practical resources, accountability, and community support

Connect with Brittany:

• Instagram: @brittanylgibson

• Website: thehomesteadchallenge.com

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review—it helps us reach more homesteaders like you!

In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Jillian from Sprouting Arrows to talk about something at the heart of the Homestead Challenge: remembering your why. Even though our paths look a little different—she homeschools, I don’t; she’s deeply driven by her faith, I have a different approach—we’re both working toward the same goal: creating a life that centers around family, simplicity, and purpose.

Jillian shares her family's journey from living on two incomes (and unknowingly overspending) to thriving on less than $50,000 a year—all while growing closer as a family and living more intentionally. We dive deep into real-world tips for living frugally, finding joy at home, breaking free from consumer culture, and overcoming the pressure to "keep up" with others online or in real life.

Whether you're dreaming of stepping back from the rush, spending more time with your family, or finding ways to live fully without overextending yourself—this conversation will encourage you and show you what’s possible.

What we cover in this episode:

• Jillian’s journey to frugal living and her mindset shifts along the way

• How living with less has brought more joy, health, and connection to her family

• Practical ways to save money without feeling deprived

• Homesteading on a tight budget: creative ways to build a garden and make from-scratch living affordable

• Managing technology use and building peaceful, present rhythms at home

• Handling extracurricular activities in a way that doesn’t overwhelm your family life

• Tips for battling comparison—both online and in real life

• Why remembering your why makes all the difference when you're tempted to quit

Resources Mentioned:

• Brittany: The Homestead Challenge

• Jillian: Sprouting Arrows

Enjoyed this episode? If this conversation encouraged you, take a screenshot and tag us on Instagram! You can find me at @brittanylgibson and Jillian at @sproutingarrows.