- Garden Notes
- Posts
- A Homestead, Grown Up
A Homestead, Grown Up
Every homestead has seasons. This one is about arrival, gratitude, and what comes next.
The Grounded Homestead
December 16, 2025
Homestead Update
A New Chapter, Rooted Deep
There’s something sobering about closing the gate on a place that shaped you. And something hopeful about opening a new one with wiser hands and clearer priorities.
Last week, I took one final walk through the starter homestead. Just a slow pass through the garden beds where we learned the hard way—what thrived, what rhythms to follow, and what quietly refused to cooperate no matter how much effort we threw at it.
Those beds were our classroom. We learned which crops needed space instead of attention, how soil responds more to patience than inputs, and why simple layouts beat ambitious ones almost every time. Some beds produced abundantly with very little fuss. Others looked promising but drained time and energy all season long, needing nutrients and microbes to sustain the soil.
This new homestead already feels different. Not because it’s perfect, but because it’s intentional. The gardens and greenhouses are built around what we know works, not what sounds impressive. There’s room to adjust, room to rest the soil, and room to grow into the land instead of racing ahead of it.
From Garden Beds to Egg Baskets Check out the other 6 ‘at a glance’ infographics in the article Every homestead has a first animal, whether planned or not. Ours was chickens. Chickens don’t just provide eggs; they teach routine, responsibility, and how animals change the flow of a homestead without overwhelming it. In looking for my next homestead animal, we created this breakdown ranking the seven best low-maintenance homestead animals for beginners. Chickens sit firmly at the top for a reason. They’re forgiving, adaptable, and scalable. Start small. Learn the basics. Then decide what comes next—rabbits, ducks, or something larger—after your systems are solid. |  our new flock enjoying a sunny day amidst the snowy weather If you’re trying to avoid biting off more than your land or time can handle, this guide helps you make the first animal choice with clarity instead of guesswork. Read here: |
Learning for next year
When Melons Don’t Finish Strong
Cantaloupe season feels far off right now, but this is one of those lessons that’s best learned before you’re standing in the garden wondering why nothing sweetened up. Most ripening issues trace back to timing, stress, or too much early nitrogen—mistakes that are easy to repeat if you don’t know what to watch for.
For peak flavor pick don’t pick cantaloupe until they are ripe and ready
This article breaks down the most common reasons cantaloupe stalls out, how to spot the signs early, and what to adjust next season so fruit finishes strong. It’s a good winter read for planning better spacing, feeding, and patience—because melons reward restraint more than intervention.
Closing Tip
If you haven’t already, order your seeds soon so they arrive on time. Spring comes faster than you think, and having seed on hand keeps you planting with confidence instead of scrambling.
The Grounded Homestead