Gardening Zones vs. Growing Seasons 🌿 + How to Stop Living on Hold 💫

NOTICE: Formerly known as The Steady Homestead, we’ve rebranded to The Homestead Movement! Same great content, just a fresh new name. 😊 

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ALL THINGS HOMESTEAD

The Truth About Gardening Zones vs. Growing Seasons 🌿

Many gardeners think their USDA zone is all they need to plan their crops… but here’s the truth: zones tell you what survives the winter, not when to plant.

If you’re only looking at your gardening zone, you’re missing the key detail that matters most: your growing season. That’s the number of frost-free days in your area, and it’s what determines whether your veggies will actually have time to grow, bloom, and fruit.

Here’s the Quick Breakdown:

• Gardening Zone = How cold your winters get. Tells you which plants won’t die in winter.

• Growing Season = Frost-free days. Tells you when to plant and how long crops have to grow.

Why This Matters:

• A plant might survive, but not have enough time to mature before the frost.

• Knowing your last and first frost dates lets you plan exactly when to plant, transplant, and harvest.

• This helps you avoid wasted effort, poor yields, and late-planting regret.

📥 Want a full cheat sheet?

We’ve bundled the full explanation + tips in a printable PDF!

Inside, you’ll get:

• Frost date tools

• Crop timing guides

• Planning checklist

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PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Stop Waiting to Live… Start Where You Are 💚

Homemakers and homesteaders know the feeling—waiting for the “right time.” You keep thinking things will settle down. The kids will be older. The barn will be finished. The pantry will be full. But life keeps moving, and waiting becomes a habit.

This is what many call Delayed Life Syndrome. It’s when people hold off on living fully until things feel more perfect, more stable, or more “ready.” The truth? That day may never come. The life you want starts with small, honest changes right now.

Here’s How to Break Free from the Waiting Trap:

• Identify Your Core Values: Take time to figure out what actually matters to you. A lot of people delay life because they’re chasing goals that don’t align with their true priorities. Or they’re trying to meet expectations that aren’t even theirs.

• Set Short-Term, Achievable Goals: Big dreams are great, but they can also be overwhelming. Instead, break them into small, simple steps. Want a large garden next year? Start with learning how to prep one bed this week.

• Challenge Perfectionism: Many homesteaders delay action because they’re waiting for the “perfect time.” Spoiler: It doesn’t exist. Progress beats perfection every time. Stop holding back just because the timing or setup isn’t flawless.

• Practice Mindfulness and Stay Present: Life isn’t in the “one day.” It’s in the dishwashing, the planting, the feeding, and the folding. Slow down, breathe, and be where your hands are. It’s a quiet kind of joy.

• Recognize What You Can Control and Take Small Actions: Maybe your finances, health, or workload make it feel like your dreams have to wait. While some things may be out of your hands, focus on the ones that aren’t. Can you learn one new skill today? Can you rearrange a space to make it work better? Small actions matter.

• Reframe Your Thinking: Life Is Happening Now: It’s tempting to think real life starts when things are different. But truthfully, it’s already happening. These daily routines, these slow improvements… they’re not detours. They are the road.

• Limit Comparisons: It’s easy to feel behind when someone else’s homestead or home looks “finished.” But everyone moves at their own pace. What matters is that you’re building a life that fits your family, not someone else's blog or feed.

• Invest in Personal Growth: Use this season for learning. Read. Try a new craft. Pick up an old hobby.

• Take Small Risks: Delayed life often stems from fear. Not just fear of failure, but fear of looking silly, or starting small. Push back against that by doing something that feels brave.

• Create Accountability: Share your goals with someone you trust. Whether it’s your partner, a friend, or your community, saying it out loud gives it weight and helps you stick with it.

• Celebrate Progress: Don’t wait for big milestones. Celebrate every little thing: the first sprouts in the garden, the first loaf of bread, the first full day without checking your phone. Small wins keep momentum going.

Homesteading is about making the most of what’s right in front of you. That’s the beauty of it. You get to build a life with your hands, your heart, and your values. You don’t have to wait to feel proud of it.

So the next time you catch yourself thinking “when the time is right,” remember, this is the time. The to-do list might be long, but the life is already happening.

You’re not behind. You’re right on time.

THE STEADY HOME’S GIGGLE CHAMBER

TODAY'S TOP PICKS

LET’S KEEP IT REEL!

I've put together some fantastic farm videos that are sure to make you laugh. Take a look and enjoy the fun!

1. Me trying out homesteading for the first time 😂 (spoiler alert: there's definitely a learning curve)

@arisamari

This is just a joke. We have produced a lot more!!! But if this is your first year of gardening, make sure to watch creators on here on so... See more

2. Sometimes this is exactly what runs through my mind while I’m just peacefully gardening 🌱

@cozycaits_

It’s called *coping mechanisms* #gardentok #backyardgarden #hobbygarden #growyourownfood #planttok #planthumor #homesteading

3. Time to learn real quick before everything goes totally wrong 😅

@the.chickendens

kinda kidding 😅 #selfsufficient #simplelife #slowliving #homemaking #homesteading #homegrowing #homeschooling #kiddingnotkidding #meme #ca... See more

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