🚀 MUST-DOs for March gardening! + How to put YOU first (without guilt!)

IN TODAY'S EDITION

1. Homestead Tip 🌱

2. Poll Results From Last Thursday 📊

3. All Things Homestead: March Garden To-Dos — Get Your Homestead Ready for Spring 🌱

4. Personal Development: A Homesteader’s Guide to Self-Priority 💗

5. Today's Top Picks 🛍️

6. Let’s Keep It Reel 🤣

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

The Garden That Changed Everything

I still remember the first time I planted a garden of my own.

I was standing in my tiny backyard, hands in the dirt, convinced I was doing everything wrong. The store-bought seedlings looked fragile, the soil seemed too dry, and deep down, I had this sinking feeling…

What if nothing grows?

What if all this effort, this time, this money, just led to failure?

But then, the magic happened.

The first sprout pushed through. Then another. And another.

Before I knew it, I was harvesting fresh greens for my family, cutting grocery costs, and finally understanding exactly where our food came from.

And let me tell you, there’s no feeling like eating something YOU grew with your own two hands.

If you’ve ever:
✔ Felt overwhelmed at the thought of starting a garden
✔ Wasted money on plants that didn’t survive
✔ Wanted homegrown food but didn’t know where to begin

Then March’s Gardening Basics Challenge was made for YOU.

Let’s Make This the Year You Grow Your Own Food

For one month, I’ll walk you through the exact steps to start your first (or best!) garden:

• Choosing the right plants for your space & climate

• Soil health—because dirt isn’t just dirt!

• Budget-friendly gardening hacks (goodbye, overpriced seedlings!)

• Keeping your plants ALIVE—even if you don’t have a green thumb

You don’t need a huge backyard. You don’t need fancy tools. You just need a little guidance, and that’s exactly what this challenge is all about.

Bonus? You’ll be surrounded by a community of other women on the same journey, sharing wins, struggles, and real-time support.

And if you’re just joining now, don’t worry since January’s Budget-Friendly Pantry Staples Challenge and February’s Natural Skincare & Self-Care Challenge are still available anytime! Jump in when you're ready.

Are You In?

Spots for the March Gardening Basics Challenge are open now.

Click below to start your homesteading journey. Your future garden (and your future self) will thank you.

POLL RESULTS FROM LAST THURSDAY

Do you use cold frames?

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Yes, they keep my garden productive year-round!

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 I’ve tried but need to improve my setup.

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ I use other methods like row covers or greenhouses.

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ I prefer to wait until spring for fresh greens.

via @beehiiv polls

Feel free to participate in fun polls in our next newsletters! 😉

Also, follow us on our social media accounts for daily homesteading inspiration and updates.

ALL THINGS HOMESTEAD

March Garden To-Dos: Get Your Homestead Ready for Spring 🌱

March is that in-between month where winter lingers, but spring is just around the corner. It’s the perfect time to start fresh: tidying up, getting organized, and prepping the garden for a great growing season. But no need to rush into planting just yet! Instead, tackle small but important tasks that will set you up for success on your homestead.

1. Take Stock of Your Seeds

Sort through seed packets and check expiration dates. If any are too old, replace them with fresh ones. Make a list of what you need to order so you’re not scrambling later in the season.

2. Start Seeds Indoors

Cool-weather crops like lettuce, kale, and broccoli can be started inside. Use seed trays or repurposed containers with drainage holes. Keep them in a warm spot with plenty of light to encourage strong seedlings.

3. Clean Up the Garden Beds

Remove dead plants, weeds, and any debris leftover from winter. Loosen compacted soil with a garden fork, but be careful not to disturb the deeper layers. If the ground is still too wet, wait a few days to avoid damaging the structure.

4. Check Your Soil Health

Test soil pH and nutrient levels to see what your garden needs. Adding compost, aged manure, or organic fertilizers now will give your plants a solid foundation. Healthy soil means better harvests later.

5. Plan Your Garden Layout

Decide where everything will go before planting begins. Rotate crops to prevent disease buildup, and group plants with similar needs together. If space is tight, look into companion planting to maximize growth.

6. Prune Fruit Trees and Bushes

Late winter to early spring is ideal for pruning fruit trees like apple and pear. Remove dead or crossing branches to encourage healthy growth. Grapevines, berry bushes, and roses can also be trimmed now for better production.

7. Set Up Irrigation and Rainwater Collection

Check hoses, drip lines, and rain barrels for leaks or blockages. Fixing them now saves time when watering becomes a daily task. If you don’t have a rainwater collection system yet, consider setting one up to conserve water.

8. Protect Against Early Pests

Look for signs of overwintering pests, like eggs on the undersides of leaves. Chickens can help clear out bugs in garden beds. If pests have been an issue in previous seasons, set up row covers or introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs.

9. Prepare for Cold Snaps

Spring weather is unpredictable, and a late frost can set plants back. Keep frost blankets, straw, or old sheets handy to cover tender seedlings when temperatures drop.

10. Build or Repair Raised Beds and Trellises

If raised beds or trellises need fixing, do it now before plants take over. Adding fresh mulch or straw paths will also help suppress weeds and keep the soil moist.

11. Get Your Tools Ready

Sharpen pruners, clean shovels, and oil wooden handles to keep tools in good shape. Having everything prepped means you won’t waste time when planting season picks up.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

A Homesteader’s Guide to Self-Priority 💗

Homesteaders and homemakers spend so much time caring for others (animals, plants, family) that their own needs often come last. The work never really ends, and the idea of taking time for yourself can feel selfish. But choosing yourself doesn’t mean neglecting responsibilities.

Here’s how to prioritize yourself without guilt and why it’s essential for a thriving homestead and home life.

1. Shift Your Mindset: Choosing Yourself is Not Selfish

Society often praises self-sacrifice, especially for women who take care of a home. But constantly putting others first leads to burnout. Choosing yourself means recognizing that your well-being matters, too. When you’re rested and fulfilled, you’re a better caretaker, homesteader, and partner.

Think of it this way: when soil is depleted, crops struggle. If you don’t nourish yourself, how can you expect to sustain everything around you?

2. Set Boundaries With Confidence

Without boundaries, tasks pile up, and exhaustion takes over. Saying yes to everything doesn’t make you more capable, it makes you more overwhelmed.

Start small. If someone asks for a favor and it’s not urgent, say, “I’d love to help, but I need to finish my own work first.” This applies to family, neighbors, and even self-imposed pressures. Guard your time like you protect your best-growing crops.

3. Make Time for Simple Joys

Not every break needs to be a grand gesture. Small moments of self-care add up.

• Enjoy your coffee outside before the morning chores start.

• Read a few pages of a book while bread rises in the oven.

• Take a slow walk around the garden without a to-do list in mind.

4. Delegate and Ask for Help

Many women feel like they should do it all. But just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

If the kids can feed the chickens, let them. If your partner can handle dinner, step back. Learning to ask for help is a skill, and it strengthens a household when everyone shares responsibilities.

5. Listen to Your Body

Pushing through exhaustion is common in homesteading, but ignoring your body’s signals leads to long-term harm. If you feel drained, take a break. If your body aches, stretch before chores. If you’re constantly tired, reevaluate your nutrition and sleep habits.

Think of yourself as part of the homestead ecosystem. When one part suffers, everything else does, too.

6. Let Go of Guilt and Perfectionism

Perfection is an illusion, especially in a homestead where nature has the final say. Some days, the house won’t be spotless. Some seasons, the garden won’t produce as expected. Let go of guilt and remind yourself that effort matters more than flawless results.

A less-than-perfect day doesn’t mean failure. It means you’re human. 💛

7. Say Yes to What Nourishes You

When you’re always saying yes to work, responsibilities, and others’ needs, you have little room left for things that bring joy. Balance that out by intentionally saying yes to things that fill you up.

• Say yes to a quiet moment with tea before tackling the day.

• Say yes to learning a new skill that excites you.

• Say yes to moments of stillness, even when there’s more to do.

The farm, the house, the family, they all run better when you do, too.

8. Build a Routine That Includes You

Chores, meals, and projects have a place in the day. So should you.

If it helps, write it down. Block off time for a small break, even if it’s just five minutes. Treat it as non-negotiable as feeding the animals or tending the garden. The more you practice including yourself in the daily routine, the easier it becomes.

Choosing Yourself Strengthens Everything Else

When you prioritize yourself, you’re not just doing it for you! You’re doing it for everything and everyone you care for. A well-rested, fulfilled, and healthy homesteader creates a home and farm that thrives.

So take the break. Drink the coffee while it’s hot. Choose yourself, and watch everything else grow stronger because of it.

THE STEADY HOME’S GIGGLE CHAMBER

What’s a scarecrow’s favorite thing about March?

It finally gets to warm up to its job again!

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. This is literally me every winter morning! 😂

@dysfunctionalcowgirl

Farm life is great until winter comes #homestead #hobbyfarm #chores

2. Just a goat out here giving some top-tier back massages! 😆

@animalsdoingthings

Playtime #animals #goat #pig #comedy #justdancemoves

3. Here’s a little bouncy sheep to put a smile on your face!

@bopeep_valaisblacknose

Send this to someone who needs to see Indy bouncing with excitement for biscuits!!! 😅 #Sheep #Funnyanimals #Earthday #Farmanimals #Agritok #Ireland

ENGAGE WITH US

Got some amazing homesteading products? Let's team up and spread joy in our community!

Also, care to share any genius ideas for The Steady Home newsletter? Just hit reply and let's get talking!