Mini Homestead Garden Update: Harvesting, Weeding, and Lessons Learned
Life around our mini homestead has been full, busy, and wonderfully productive lately. The garden is growing quickly, the harvest baskets are filling up, and there is always another outdoor task waiting for us. It is amazing how much can happen in a small backyard garden when summer is in full swing.
One of the biggest jobs we have been tackling is weeding. The weeds were starting to take over, and honestly, they were getting the best of me. Every time I looked across certain areas of the yard, I felt overwhelmed. I care a lot about how the garden looks, so watching the weeds creep into every corner was driving me a little crazy. On the Fourth of July, my husband and I spent a good part of the day pulling, clearing, and cleaning up as much as we could.
We also finally bought a weedwacker, which feels like a small but important homestead victory. Until now, our neighbor had been kind enough to help with that job, but it is nice to be able to manage it ourselves. Little by little, the yard is starting to look more cared for again, and that makes the whole space feel more peaceful.
I do have to vent for just a moment. When someone asks, “What is the best way to get rid of weeds?” the answer is not, “Just put a little Round Up on it.” That is not the solution I am looking for. I would much rather find natural ways to manage weeds without harming bees, damaging the soil, or adding unnecessary chemicals to the environment. Pulling weeds works, but it is tiring and time-consuming, so I am always interested in gentle, natural gardening ideas that actually help.
Summer Harvest from the Garden
The good news is that all the work is paying off. We have been harvesting a steady supply of cucumbers, zucchini, carrots, green peppers, a second round of strawberries, and green beans. Walking out to the garden and coming back with fresh food still feels exciting every time. There is something so satisfying about growing ingredients just steps from the kitchen.
We are also hoping to have watermelon soon. The vines are growing like crazy, and I am eager to see how they turn out. Watermelon has definitely been one of the most dramatic plants in the garden this season.
The Brussels sprouts were finally ready to pick as well, which was another fun milestone. Some crops seem to take forever, so when they are finally ready, it feels like a real reward for all the watering, checking, and waiting.
Homemade Pickles and Drying Herbs
I also made my first batch of homemade pickles, and I am so excited about it. With so many cucumbers coming in from the garden, pickling felt like the perfect way to preserve some of the harvest and enjoy it later.
Another simple pleasure from the garden has been harvesting and drying chamomile for tea. The chamomile looks beautiful as it dries, and it smells lovely too. Drying herbs from the garden is one of those quiet homesteading tasks that makes the whole house feel a little more special. It is practical, but it also feels cozy and old-fashioned in the best way.
Waiting on Tomatoes
Any day now, we should be getting some big, ripe tomatoes. The plants are looking promising, and I am ready for fresh garden tomatoes. They are one of the summer crops I look forward to most, and I know they will be worth the wait.
A Garden Lesson for Next Year
One major lesson I have learned this year is to give plants more space and to grow vertically whenever possible. I tried using a square foot gardening approach, and the guide I followed said watermelon needed about one to two square feet. Well, friends, our watermelon plant has turned into a garden monster.
It has completely taken over the space where there was supposed to be a walkway between the beds. That walkway is pretty much gone now, and I have to carefully step and weave my way through the garden like a ninja. Next year, I will definitely plan better, leave more room for sprawling plants, and think more carefully about which crops need support or extra space.
Grateful for Our Little Homestead
More than anything, this season has reminded me how much I love our little homestead. We have been blessed with this place, and I am continually amazed by how much food we can grow in a small space. It takes work, sweat, patience, and sometimes a few frustrated tears, but the rewards are so worth it.
There is something deeply encouraging about seeing the results of your effort right in front of you. A few seeds, healthy soil, regular care, and time can turn into baskets of fresh vegetables, herbs for tea, homemade pickles, and meals shared around the table. Even with the weeds, the overgrown watermelon vines, and the constant list of chores, I am thankful for it all.
What has been happening around your garden or homestead lately?
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