Everyday Homesteading

Latest Episodes:

The Missing Piece of Modern Homesteading Jul 18, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever stopped to consider that caring for the land isn't just a homesteading skill, but part of our Christian calling?
In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, I'm joined by Brendan McClenahan from Plant With Purpose and the TEND Initiative to explore what the Bible says about stewardship, creation, and why growing food can deepen our faith.
For many Christians, conversations about caring for the earth have become complicated. But long before environmental movements existed, God gave humanity the responsibility to cultivate and care for His creation. Together, Brendan and I discuss how homesteading, gardening, and working the land aren't separate from our faith. They're one of the ways we live it out.
We also talk about why true self-sufficiency is a myth, how community has always been part of God's design, and practical ways churches and families can reconnect with creation through simple acts like gardening, composting, and supporting local farmers.
If you've ever wondered how your faith and your homestead fit together, I think this conversation will encourage you.
In this episode, you'll learn:
✔ What the Bible says about stewarding God's creation
✔ Why Christians shouldn't avoid conversations about creation care
✔ How gardening and homesteading can strengthen your faith
✔ Why self-sufficiency isn't God's design for His people
✔ Practical ways to build community through caring for the land
Time Stamps:
0:00 – Introduction
2:21 – Homestead Kitchen Magazine
4:25 – Main Topic
Resources Mentioned:
📖 Read the companion blog post: https://homesteadingfamily.com/biblical-stewardship-of-the-land/
🌱 Learn more about the TEND Initiative: https://tendlife.org
📰 Subscribe to Homestead Kitchen Magazine: https://homesteadingfamily.com/in-the-homestead-kitchen-yt
If this episode encouraged you, I'd love it if you'd subscribe, leave a comment, and share it with someone who has a heart for growing food, stewarding God's creation, and building a resilient home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MORE ABOUT US!
WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo
Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us!
Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily
Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily
Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily
A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!!
Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt
Your Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop

Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

8 Reasons Your Canning Jars Didn't Seal Jul 11, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever finished a canning session only to discover one or more jars didn't seal? It happens to every home canner at some point, and even after more than 20 years of canning and preserving food for my family, I still have an occasional seal failure.
In this video, I'm sharing the most common reasons canning jars don't seal, how to troubleshoot failed seals, and what you should do if you find an unsealed jar. We'll also cover simple habits that can help you prevent seal failures in future canning sessions so you can preserve your harvest with more confidence.
In this video you'll learn:
✔ The most common reasons canning jars don't seal
✔ How to tell if a jar has sealed properly
✔ How headspace, siphoning, and dirty rims affect your seal
✔ Why overtightening bands can cause problems
✔ What to do if a jar doesn't seal within 24 hours
✔ When it's safe to refrigerate, freeze, or reprocess your food
✔ Why I always remove screw bands before storing my jars

For even more troubleshooting tips, read the companion blog post here:
https://homesteadingfamily.com/why-didnt-my-canning-jars-seal/
Time Stamps:
0:00 – Introduction
1:22 – American Blossom Linens
3:39 – Why Canning Jars Don't Seal
This episode is sponsored by American Blossom Linens. Josh and I love investing in quality products that are made to last, and American Blossom Linens fits that philosophy perfectly. Their sheets, towels, blankets, and pillows are all made in the USA from high-quality cotton and backed by a two-year return policy. Use coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY2026" to save 15% on your order here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/s-american-blossom-linens/

Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

How I Preserve a Year's Worth of Food Without Burnout Jul 04, 2026

Show notes

Are you working yourself to exhaustion trying to preserve every possible food for your pantry? I used to think a successful pantry meant recreating the grocery store at home. But after more than 20 years of homesteading, I've learned that's one of the fastest ways to burn out.
In this video, I'm sharing the mindset shift that completely changed the way I preserve food. Instead of asking, "What do I want to eat?" I started asking, "What preserves well?" That one simple change has saved me countless hours while helping me build a pantry that's practical, resilient, and full of nourishing food my family actually uses.
In this episode, you'll learn:
✔ Why treating your pantry like a grocery store leads to unnecessary work and burnout
✔ The foods I make a priority to preserve every year
✔ How root cellaring and fermentation can dramatically reduce your preserving workload
✔ When it's actually smarter to buy food that's already preserved
✔ How to build a seasonal pantry that saves time, money, and effort
⏰ Time Stamps
0:00 - Introduction
1:24 - Azure Standard
4:47 - Main Topic
📚 Resources Mentioned
Stop Treating Your Pantry Like a Grocery Store:
https://homesteadingfamily.com/stop-treating-your-pantry-like-a-grocery-store/
Food Preservation: A Year at a Glance:
https://homesteadingfamily.com/food-preservation-a-year-at-a-glance/
Root Cellaring for Beginners:
https://homesteadingfamily.com/preservation-101-root-cellaring/
Eating Seasonally on the Homestead:
https://homesteadingfamily.com/meal-planning-on-the-homestead/
This episode is sponsored by Azure Standard, one of Josh's and my favorite sources for bulk foods, pantry staples, organic produce, garden supplies, livestock feed, and hard-to-find homesteading essentials. We especially appreciate that they now offer home delivery in many areas, making it even easier to stock up on the quality products we rely on. If you're looking for a trusted source for homesteading supplies, be sure to check them out using the link below. And for first-time customers, you can use coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY15" for 15% off your FIRST order of $100 or more, shipped to a drop location: https://homesteadingfamily.com/main-azure-standard-b
👇 I'd love to hear from you: What's one food you no longer preserve because you've realized it simply isn't worth the time? Or what's one thing you'll never stop preserving yourself? Share your answer in the comments!
#FoodPreservation #Homesteading #PantryStorage #FoodStorage #Canning #SelfSufficiency

Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

Our Daughter is Running the Garden! Jun 27, 2026

Show notes

What does it really look like to manage a large homestead garden? In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, I'm joined by my oldest daughter, Rachel, who has taken over management of our main crop garden this year. We sit down for a candid conversation about what's working, what we're learning, and a few garden bloopers that prove even experienced gardeners don't always get it right!
Rachel shares what it means to be responsible for a garden without having to do all the labor herself, how we're involving younger children in the garden, and some of the systems we're putting in place to make gardening easier and more sustainable year after year.
We also talk about sprinkler timers, compost surprises, cats in freshly planted beds, and Rachel's best advice for both new and experienced gardeners.
In this episode, we cover:
🌱 How our family manages the main crop garden together
🌱 The difference between responsibility and doing all the work yourself
🌱 Practical ways to involve children of all ages in the garden
🌱 New watering systems we're testing this season
🌱 Garden mistakes, lessons learned, and funny stories from this year
🌱 Rachel's top tips for staying on top of your garden without feeling overwhelmed
One of my favorite takeaways from this conversation is Rachel's reminder that daily observation is one of the most valuable gardening habits you can develop. A few minutes walking through the garden each day can help you catch problems early, harvest crops at the right time, and enjoy the process a whole lot more.
🛏️ American Blossom Linens - Thanks to American Blossom Linens for sponsoring this podcast. We love their products because they're designed to last for years and are backed by an impressive 2-year money-back guarantee. They're also made with a focus on reducing unnecessary chemicals and toxins in the products you use every day. Use coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY2026" for 15% off your order: https://homesteadingfamily.com/s-american-blossom-linens
Time Stamps:
0:00 - Introduction
1:13 - Chit Chat
5:26 - Homestead Kitchen Magazine
8:23 - Soil Health

Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

The Truth About Soil Health (And Why It Changes Everything) Jun 20, 2026

Show notes

What if the secret to healthier plants, bigger harvests, fewer pests, and less work in the garden isn't another fertilizer or amendment? What if it's your soil?
In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, we're kicking off a brand-new Soil School series by exploring the foundation of every productive garden: healthy soil. You'll learn why soil is much more than dirt, how a thriving soil ecosystem works, and the six key elements that create resilient, nutrient-dense gardens.
Over the next several months, Josh will be diving deeper into each of these topics in a special Soil School series designed to help you build healthier soil and work smarter, not harder, in the garden.
In this episode:
🌱 Why healthy soil is the key to healthier plants
🪱 The surprising amount of life living beneath your feet
💧 How healthy soil improves water retention
🐛 Why soil health can reduce pest and disease pressure
🌿 The four levels of soil health
🧑‍🌾 The six foundations of healthy soil
Whether you're a beginner gardener or have been growing food for years, this series will help you understand how to build living soil that works for you.
Check out the accompanying blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/how-to-improve-soil-quality/
This episode is sponsored by Homestead Kitchen Magazine. If you're passionate about from-scratch cooking, preserving the harvest, and building a thriving homestead centered around the kitchen, you'll love Homestead Kitchen Magazine. Filled with practical recipes, traditional skills, seasonal inspiration, and beautiful ad-free content, it's designed to help you build confidence in the kitchen and strengthen the connection between your garden, pantry, and table. https://homesteadingfamily.com/in-the-homestead-kitchen-yt
Time Stamps:
0:00 - Introduction
1:13 - Chit Chat
5:26 - Homestead Kitchen Magazine
8:23 - Soil Health
#Gardening #SoilHealth #OrganicGardening

Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

Botany in an Hour: The Secret Key to Better Gardening, Foraging & Herbalism Jun 13, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever tried to identify a plant, opened a field guide, and immediately felt overwhelmed? You're not alone.
In this episode, I'm joined by Rachel Parks of Botany in an Hour to talk about a simple approach to botany that can completely change the way you look at plants. Instead of trying to memorize thousands of individual species, Rachel explains how learning a handful of plant families can help you become a better gardener, herbalist, forager, and homesteader.
We discuss why understanding plant families is often the missing link that makes plant identification easier, how this knowledge can improve your gardening decisions, and why even young children can quickly learn to recognize common plant groups once they know what clues to look for.
Whether you're interested in medicinal herbs, foraging wild plants, improving your garden, or simply understanding the plants growing around you, this conversation will give you a practical framework for learning botany without feeling overwhelmed.
In This Episode We Cover:
• Why plant families are easier to learn than individual species
• How botany can improve your gardening and companion planting
• The connection between plant families and herbal medicine
• Simple clues for identifying plants in the mint family
• Why plant family knowledge can make foraging easier
• How understanding plant relationships can help you learn faster
• Using botanical knowledge to recognize patterns in food sensitivities
• Why plant diversity matters in the garden
Resources Mentioned:
🌿 Save 20% on any Botany in an Hour course with coupon code: HFPODCAST20
https://botanyinanhour.com/
🌿 10 Questions You Need to Ask to Identify Any Flowering Plant
https://botanyinanhour.com/2025/05/07/10questionstoask/
🌿 Best Botany Resources for Kids
https://botanyinanhour.com/find-the-best-botany-resources-for-kids/
🌿 Read the accompanying blog post: https://homesteadingfamily.com/learn-botany-for-beginners/
Thanks to Farmhouse Teas for sponsoring this podcast. Be sure to check out their herbal tea selection for delicious iced tea for summer! Use coupon code "HSPodcast" for 10% off your purchase (one use per customer): https://homesteadingfamily.com/HFteas-favorites
Time Stamps
0:00 - Introduction
3:19 - Farmhouse Teas
5:36 - Main Topic
#Botany #PlantIdentification #Herbalism

Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

Natural Pest Control That Actually Works (Without Chemicals) Jun 06, 2026

Show notes

If you’ve ever struggled with pests in the garden, this episode will completely change how you think about natural pest control.
Instead of reaching for sprays first, we’re talking about a layered, holistic approach to growing healthier plants that naturally resist pests better. From building living soil to attracting beneficial insects and knowing when organic interventions are actually appropriate, this conversation is all about working with nature instead of fighting against it.
In this episode, we cover:
• Why healthy soil is the foundation of pest resistance
• The connection between soil biology and plant health
• How daily observation can stop infestations early
• Physical and mechanical pest control methods that actually work
• Companion planting and attracting beneficial insects
• When organic sprays can help and when they can do harm
• Why adjusting expectations may be one of the most important parts of organic gardening
Whether you’re a brand new gardener or have been growing food for years, this framework can help you create a healthier, more resilient garden ecosystem.
For more information, check out the accompanying blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/garden-pest-control/
LINKS MENTIONED
- Traditional Cooking Class - Check out Carolyn's new class over at the School of Traditional Skills here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/STS_Member_n
- Modern Homesteading Conference - Join us in Idaho this June 2026 and come say hi! Grab your tickets here: https://modern-homesteading.myshopify.com/HF10
- Thanks to Azure Standard for sponsoring this podcast. Grab your canning supplies and be ready for preservation season. For first-time customers, get 15% off your order of $100 or more with coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY15": https://homesteadingfamily.com/AzureStandard
Time Stamps:
0:00 - Introduction
1:28 - Chit Chat
9:18 - Azure Standard
11:00 - Natural Pest Control

Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

3 Canning Rules That Confuse New Food Preservers May 30, 2026

Show notes

In this podcast, I’m diving into three canning concepts that confuse even experienced home canners. These are the kinds of things that can leave you second-guessing whether your jars are actually safe on the pantry shelf.
In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, I’m breaking down:
- Why I never store jars with the rings tightened on
- What changing liquid levels in your jars actually mean
- Why proper headspace matters so much
- What causes siphoning and how to prevent it
- How false seals happen and what to watch for
I know canning can feel overwhelming at times, especially when your jars don’t look “perfect,” but I want you to understand what actually matters for safety so you can preserve food confidently.

For even more safety tips and common canning questions answered, visit the blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/canning-mistakes-to-avoid/
🎉 FREE LIVE CANNING TRAINING: This month I’m hosting a free live canning training where I’ll walk you through the canning process step-by-step and answer your questions live during the Q&A. Sign up here 👉 https://homesteadingfamily.com/freecanningtraining
A huge thank you to today’s sponsor, Grand Tetons Ancient Grains! They offer incredible traditional organic grains like einkorn, spelt, emmer, and rye straight from their regenerative family farm and mill. Use coupon code HOMESTEADINGFAMILY for 10% off through the end of June 2026. 👉 https://www.ancientgrains.com/?a_aid=HF&a_bid=7ebf0172

Time Stamps:
0:00 - Introduction
1:15 - Free Canning Training
3:07 - Grand Teton Ancient Grains
6:21 - Canning Rules

Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

How Often Should You Water Your Garden? May 23, 2026

Show notes

Should you water your garden every day? The short answer is probably not. In this episode, we’re breaking down one of the most common gardening questions and helping you understand how to water your garden for healthier plants, deeper roots, and better harvests.
You’ll learn:
• How often most gardens actually need water
• Why daily watering can weaken plants
• The difference between deep watering and shallow watering
• The best time of day to water
• How soil type changes your watering schedule
• Signs you may be overwatering or underwatering
• How mulch and healthy soil reduce watering needs naturally
Whether you garden in raised beds, containers, or a large in-ground garden, these simple principles will help you stop guessing and start watering with confidence.
Read the full article here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/best-time-to-water-garden/
Thanks to Farmhouse Teas for sponsoring this podcast! Be sure to check out all our Homesteading Family favorites, including the Persnickety Peach Chai for your summer iced tea! If you want to give it a try, Farmhouse Teas is offering 10% off your order with the code HSPODCAST. It’s a one-time use discount and good for one per customer, so be sure to use it wisely: https://homesteadingfamily.com/FHTeas-Favorites
Time Stamps:
0:00 - Intro
1:27 - Chit Chat
5:00 - Farmhouse Teas
6:52 - Main Topic

Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

Are You Falling for the "Great Society" Trap? May 16, 2026

Show notes

How do we preserve family, community, and truth in a culture that seems to be moving faster and faster away from them?

In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, I sat down with my friend Rory Groves for a thoughtful conversation about modern culture, technology, family economy, and what many families are sensing right now: that something important has been lost.

Using the republished book Henry and the Great Society as a starting point, we talked about how modernization changed family life, community, work, and even the way we think about self-sufficiency. We also discussed why history matters and how looking backward can help us move forward with more intentionality.

This conversation touches on:

Family economy and durable living
The tension between independence and community
Why intentionality matters more than ever
Building culture for future generations
Encouragement for families trying to live differently in uncertain times

I really appreciated Rory’s perspective and his heart for helping families think deeply about what it means to build a life that lasts.

Links Mentioned:
- Grab your copy of Henry and the Great Society here: https://homeward.press
- Find Rory's book, Durable Trades here: https://www.thegrovestead.com/product/durable-trades/
- Learn more about the Gather and Grow events here: https://gatherandgrow.us
🌿 Today’s episode is sponsored by Homestead Kitchen Magazine: Homestead Kitchen Magazine is our ad-free monthly print magazine filled with trusted recipes, seasonal living inspiration, gardening, herbalism, preserving, and practical homestead skills from experienced teachers and contributors. Carolyn also shares a monthly faith-centered reflection from the heart of the homestead. Grab your subscription here: 👉 https://homesteadingfamily.com/podcast-magazine

Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected