Small Space? Grow Ginger Anyway! 🌱 + 20 Ways to Boost Brain Power Fast

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

IN TODAY'S EDITION

1. Homestead Tip 🌱

2. Poll Results From Last Sunday 📊

3. All Things Homestead: Grow Ginger in Buckets and Baskets 🤓

4. Personal Development: 20 Simple Ways to Think Smarter Every Day 💚

5. Today's Top Picks 🛍️

6. Let’s Keep It Reel 🤣

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

💡 A Smart Step Toward Your Homestead Goals

I know how tough it can feel to set aside money for homestead projects when prices seem to keep going up.

That’s why I wanted to share something I personally use and love: SoFi Checking & Savings.

It’s a simple, no-fuss place to manage your money! No monthly fees, easy to use, and you can even grow your savings with a competitive interest rate (way better than most traditional banks).

Here’s what makes it worth checking out:

• You only need a small deposit to get started

• You’ll receive a little thank-you from SoFi just for opening your account

• And if you decide to set up regular deposits, they have additional perks

I’ve used it to start putting away money for things like canning tools, garden supplies, and future property upgrades, and it’s been a game-changer.

If you're looking for a practical way to move one step closer to your homestead dreams, this is a great place to start.

👉 Check it out here

POLL RESULTS FROM LAST SUNDAY

Which one would you never give up?

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Fresh eggs

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Home-canned goods

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ Herbal remedies

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Garden-fresh salsa

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Comment your favorite homestead staple!

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

Grow Ginger in Buckets and Baskets 🤓

No garden beds? No problem. Here’s how to grow ginger right on the porch.

If you’ve ever used ginger to warm up a tea, ease a sick belly, or spice up dinner, you already know how valuable it is. But what most homesteaders don’t realize is… it’s shockingly easy to grow at home. And the best part? You don’t even need garden space. A big pot or tub will do just fine.

If you’ve struggled with limited space, unpredictable soil, or short growing seasons, this guide is for you.

What You Need to Get Started

Ginger likes warmth, rich soil, and shallow containers. It takes patience, but not a lot of work.

Here’s your basic supply list:

• 1–2 ginger rhizomes (store-bought or organic)
  Look for pieces with “eyes”—little points that stick out, similar to potato sprouts.

• A wide pot or tub (at least 12 inches deep)
  Shallow and wide is better than deep and narrow.

• Loose, rich potting soil
  Use compost, aged manure, or coconut coir mixed with potting soil. Avoid heavy clay.

• Warmth and indirect light
  Ginger grows best between 70–90°F. A sunny porch or warm indoor corner works well.

Step-by-Step: Growing Ginger in Containers

1. Prep Your Ginger Rhizomes
Cut the rhizome into 1–2 inch chunks with at least one “eye” per piece. Let the pieces dry out on the counter for a day or two. This keeps them from rotting in the soil.

2. Choose the Right Pot
Use something with good drainage. Ginger spreads sideways, so pick a pot that’s wider than it is tall. A black grow bag or large plastic tub works great.

3. Fill the Container
Add your potting mix, leaving a few inches of space at the top. Ginger likes loose, airy soil. Don’t pack it down.

4. Plant the Ginger
Lay each piece flat, eye side up, and cover it with 1–2 inches of soil. Water it gently, just until the soil is damp not soaked.

5. Give It Warmth and Water
Set the pot where it stays warm, but not in harsh direct sun. Water when the soil feels dry about an inch down. Overwatering will rot the rhizomes.

How Long Does It Take?

Ginger takes its sweet time. You’ll start to see green shoots in 3–6 weeks. Full harvests take 8–10 months, but you can sneak a few pieces out earlier after about 4–5 months.

It’s not a fast crop, but once it starts growing, it’s low effort. Think of it like crockpot gardening. Set it up and mostly leave it alone.

When and How to Harvest

Once the leaves start to yellow in fall, it’s harvest time. Gently dump out the pot or dig around with your hands. Break off what you need.

If you live in a warm area, leave some in the pot to grow again next season.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Starting with bad rhizomes: If they’re too dried out or moldy, they won’t grow.

• Using the wrong pot: Ginger needs room to spread sideways, not deep down.

• Overwatering: Wait until the top inch is dry before watering again.

• Too much sun: Ginger likes bright, indirect light not full afternoon sun.

A Few Homestead-Friendly Tips

• Grow indoors in winter: Ginger makes a great indoor plant near a window.

• Label your pots: It grows slow, and it’s easy to forget what’s inside.

• Use part, save part: Break off what you need and leave the rest to grow more.

You can also freeze peeled ginger or dry it for later. It keeps its flavor and medicine for months.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

20 Simple Ways to Think Smarter Every Day 💚

Homesteaders and homemakers have no time to waste on overthinking or confusion. Every day is packed with choices, big and small… from when to plant, what to cook, or how to handle a crisis with a calm head.

When the pressure’s on, sharp thinking matters more than ever. Here’s a down-to-earth list of 20 mental habits that help you think clearly, solve problems, and stay steady.

1. Use the 80/20 Rule

Focus on the 20% of chores that bring 80% of your peace, growth, or progress. Stop wasting time on tasks that don’t truly matter.

2. Learn with the Feynman Technique

Try to explain things out loud like you’re teaching a child. This will help you spot the gaps in what you think you understand.

3. Watch for Self-Deception

“You are the easiest person to fool.” Be honest with yourself, especially when something isn’t working on the homestead or in relationships.

4. Ask “Why?” Five Times

Don’t stop at the first reason something went wrong. Keep asking “Why?” until you get to the root of the problem.

5. Break Big Problems into Small Chunks

Overwhelmed by everything? Tackle one piece at a time. Like cutting up a whole chicken, do it step by step.

6. Think Beyond the Moment

Don’t just solve today’s issue. Ask, “What happens next if I do this?” Look at how your decisions affect the long haul.

7. Hold Beliefs Loosely

Stay open to new info. You may think you’ve got the best way to preserve food until someone shows you something better.

8. Learn About Your Biases

Everyone has blind spots. Read up on common ones so you can spot them in your own choices, before they cost you time or trust.

9. Have Honest Conversations

Talk with folks who think differently. Their views might not change yours, but they’ll make you stronger at defending what matters to you.

10. Keep It Simple

The simplest reason is often the right one. Don’t overcomplicate a leaky faucet or a child’s meltdown. Start simple.

11. Measure What You Care About

Track what you want to improve. If you want more rest or fewer expenses, start measuring your sleep or spending.

12. Know That Not Everything Can Be Measured

Some things, like kindness or patience, don’t fit in a spreadsheet. But they still matter deeply in homes and gardens.

13. Flip the Problem

Instead of asking “What should I do?” ask “What should I not do?” Avoiding a mistake is often the smartest move.

14. Journal to Sort Your Thoughts

A quick morning journal helps clear your head before the chaos starts. It doesn’t have to be deep. Just write what’s on your mind.

15. Create a Second Brain

Use a notebook or app to store ideas, lists, and plans. When the mental load gets too heavy, this helps you stay organized.

16. Think in Probabilities

Stop asking “Will this work?” Start asking “How likely is it to work?” Not every idea is perfect, but some are worth the risk.

17. Consider Opportunity Cost

If you say “yes” to one thing, what are you saying “no” to? Every choice trades something, so think twice.

18. Argue the Opposite Side

Before making a final decision, ask yourself, “What would someone against this say?” It sharpens your thinking.

19. Improve by 1% Daily

Tiny changes add up. Fix one small habit each day, and a year from now, your mind and life will feel transformed.

20. Stay Humble About What You Don’t Know

Thinking you know it all is the fastest way to stop learning. Stay curious. Ask questions. That’s how you grow.

Try just one or two of these this week. Write in a journal. Ask “Why?” one more time. Break a problem down. Your brain will thank you, and so will your homestead.

Let’s grow better minds while we grow better lives.

THE STEADY HOME’S GIGGLE CHAMBER

What did the zucchini plant whisper in June? “I double in size when you blink.”

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. Just a bunch of cows forgetting they’re not puppies 😂🐄

2. I swear, some people are just born with a green thumb. Like this kid right here! 😂🌱

3. Nothing makes homesteading more fun than having a dog as your sidekick! 🐶😂

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