"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." – Ecclesiastes 3:1 As the crisp air of fall settles in and the vibrant colors of summer fade, the garden begins its slow retreat into rest. Plants stop producing as quickly. Leaves turn. The tools find their way back into storage.…
This week, focus on cleaning up your garden and preparing it for winter. Remove dead plants, amend and cover the soil, clean tools, and organize your seed collection, so you’re ready to hit the ground running when spring arrives.
With the growing season winding down, now is the perfect time to reflect on the role of perennials in your permaculture system. Perennials like fruit trees and berry bushes not only provide food but also help build soil with biomass and support biodiversity.
As the first frosts begin to appear, it’s time to consider extending the growing season with cold frames, row cover, or hoop houses. These structures provide protection from frost and can help you keep harvesting well into the colder months.
As the days grow shorter, explore the benefits of creating habitat for overwintering pollinators. Leave some plant stalks and debris standing to provide shelter for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
With cooler temperatures on the way, it’s time to transition your garden to fall crops. Kale, spinach, and other hardy greens can thrive in the cooler weather, providing fresh produce well into the fall.
As fall sets in, consider planting garlic and other overwintering crops. These plants will establish themselves before the cold weather hits and provide an early harvest next spring.
"He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul." – Psalm 23:2–3a Today the rain came. The garden work paused. Tools stayed put, and hands remained clean. Sometimes it’s easy to feel unproductive on days like these, watching the rain fall while our to-do list sits…
"But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ." — 1 Corinthians 15:23 There’s something almost sacred about that first few modest harvests from the garden each year—those bright cherry tomatoes, the crisp lettuce, the heat of a fresh radish, and the fragrant bite of garlic…
“Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you…” – Genesis 3:18 Today brought a small but painful reminder of the Fall: while pulling weeds from the garden, a thistle found its mark and jabbed deep into a finger. The sting lingered, not just in skin, but in soul. It was a prick not only…
On today's podcast episode, Harold and Rachel dive into the world of outdoor kitchens—why they're a game-changer for homesteaders and how to design one that fits your needs and budget. From saving energy and simplifying canning to creating community spaces and preparing for emergencies, we cover the benefits, layout ideas, tools, materials, and real-life tips.…
Spring on the homestead isn’t just about planting seeds—it’s about planting big ideas, facing challenges, and sometimes pulling up a few roots (literally). In this episode of the Modern Homesteading Podcast, Harold and Rachel have a good old-fashioned homestead chat. They covered everything from sore backs to swales, compost piles to creating memories—things every homesteader…
