🌿 The BEST Herb Pairings Ever + A Self-Awareness Check

IN TODAY'S EDITION

1. Homestead Tip 🌱

2. Poll Results From Last Thursday 📊

3. All Things Homestead: Companion Planting for Herbs 🌿

4. Personal Development: 7 Signs You Don’t Truly Know Yourself 💛

5. Today's Top Picks 🛍️

6. Let’s Keep It Reel 🤣

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

What If You Could Walk Outside and Pick Dinner Straight from Your Garden?

Let me tell you a story…

Last summer, I stood in my kitchen, staring at a bag of wilted spinach I had just bought two days ago. It was already slimy. Already unusable.

$5 wasted. Again.

I sighed, knowing I’d have to go back to the store. And with the way prices were climbing, I knew it wasn’t just about one bag of spinach… it was about the hundreds of dollars I was throwing away every year on produce that never lasted.

That’s when I finally asked myself:

💭 Why am I paying for food I could grow myself?

And let me tell you, nothing tastes as good as food you’ve grown yourself. My lettuce stayed fresh for weeks instead of days. My tomatoes? Juicier than anything I’d ever bought. And the best part? I never had to worry about recalls, pesticides, or wasting money on food that wouldn’t last.

Now? I want to help you do the same.

Join March’s Gardening Basics Challenge!

This month, I’m showing you exactly how to grow your own food, even if you have limited space, zero experience, or think you have a “black thumb.”

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How to start a garden anywhere (yard, patio, balcony—you name it!)

• The easiest plants to grow (even if you’ve never kept one alive before!)

• How to avoid beginner mistakes (so you don’t waste time or money!)

• Simple time-saving tricks (because no one has hours a day for gardening!)

• How to grow fresh, organic food—for way less than store prices!

Imagine never throwing away slimy spinach again.
Imagine walking outside and picking the freshest salad ingredients for dinner.
Imagine saving hundreds on groceries by growing your own food at home.

And here’s the best part? You don’t have to do it alone.

1. Step-by-step guides (so you always know what to do next!)

2. A private community of other women learning alongside you

3. Lifetime access (so you can revisit the lessons anytime!)

4. Mini-challenges & bonus resources to make gardening even easier!

Oh, and if you missed January or February’s challenges?
They’re still inside the portal, ready whenever you are.

So, are you in?

<< Join the Gardening Basics Challenge Now!

POLL RESULTS FROM LAST THURSDAY

What’s the biggest reason you pursue self-sufficiency?

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Healthier food and lifestyle

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Saving money

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Reducing reliance on stores

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Environmental sustainability

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Others (Feel free to specify!)

via @beehiiv polls

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

Also, follow us on our FB page and Pinterest account for daily homesteading inspiration and updates.

ALL THINGS HOMESTEAD

Companion Planting for Herbs 🌿

Growing fresh herbs at home is rewarding, but knowing which ones to plant together can make a big difference. Some herbs thrive side by side, supporting each other's growth, while others compete for space and nutrients.

Below are some of the best herb pairings to grow together for a productive and healthy garden.

Herbs That Thrive Together

• Basil & Oregano: These Mediterranean favorites grow well together because they enjoy similar warm temperatures and well-drained soil. Basil repels pests like mosquitoes and flies, while oregano acts as a natural ground cover, keeping moisture in the soil.

• Rosemary & Sage: Both of these herbs prefer drier soil and lots of sunlight. Rosemary grows tall, while sage stays lower to the ground, making them perfect planting partners. They also help deter cabbage moths and carrot flies, which can damage vegetable crops nearby.

• Chives & Parsley: Chives and parsley both need plenty of water and do well in partial shade. Chives deter aphids and other harmful insects, protecting parsley from pest damage. This pairing works well in small garden beds or containers.

• Thyme & Lavender: Both herbs love full sun and dry, sandy soil. Lavender attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, which also benefits thyme. Their strong scents help keep pests like moths and beetles away from other garden plants.

• Dill & Cilantro: These fast-growing herbs do best in cooler temperatures. Dill attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and predatory wasps that help control garden pests. Cilantro provides shade for young dill plants, preventing them from wilting too quickly.

Herbs That Should NOT Be Planted Together

• Basil & Rosemary: Basil likes moist soil, while rosemary prefers dry conditions. Planting them together causes one to suffer—either rosemary will get too much water, or basil won’t get enough.

• Mint & Everything Else: Mint is aggressive and spreads rapidly, choking out nearby plants. It’s best grown alone in containers to prevent it from taking over the garden.

• Fennel & Most Herbs: Fennel releases chemicals into the soil that can stunt the growth of nearby plants. Keep it separate from other herbs to avoid problems.

Tips for Successful Herb Companion Planting

1. Match Watering Needs – Herbs that prefer dry soil (like rosemary and thyme) should not be planted with those that need frequent watering (like basil and parsley).

2. Consider Plant Height – Taller herbs like dill and rosemary can provide shade for low-growing herbs like cilantro and chives.

3. Use Containers for Sprawling Herbs – Herbs like mint and oregano spread quickly. Planting them in containers helps prevent them from taking over other herbs.

4. Rotate Herbs Seasonally – Some herbs, like cilantro and dill, grow better in cooler weather, while basil and thyme thrive in summer. Rotating plants keeps the garden productive year-round.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

7 Signs You Don’t Truly Know Yourself 💛

Feeling stuck? Overwhelmed? Like something is missing, but you can't put your finger on it?

Many struggle with this, especially those who spend their time taking care of others—whether it’s family, homestead responsibilities, or work. But here’s the truth: if you don’t fully know yourself, it’s hard to make choices that bring real happiness.

Below are seven signs you may not know yourself as well as you think, plus ways to break free from that cycle.

1. You Struggle to Make Decisions

When choices feel impossible, it often means a lack of self-trust. Those who know themselves clearly understand what matters most, so decision-making is easier.

What to do: Start small. The next time you feel indecisive, ask yourself, What do I actually want? Practice making choices without overthinking.

2. You Constantly Seek External Validation

Do you change your mind based on what others think? If so, you might be relying too much on outside approval rather than your own inner compass.

What to do: Pay attention to how often you ask for opinions. Before seeking advice, take a moment to ask, What do I think about this?

3. You Have No Clear Boundaries

Saying "yes" to everything—even when exhausted—can be a sign of not knowing your limits. When you don’t have strong boundaries, burnout follows.

What to do: Practice saying “no” without guilt. Start small, like setting a limit on how often you check messages or take on extra tasks.

4. You Don’t Know What You Truly Enjoy

If you struggle to name hobbies, passions, or things that make you excited, it could be because you’ve been focusing on what others enjoy rather than what you love.

What to do: Try new things. Pick up an old hobby, experiment with something new, or simply reflect on what made you happy as a child.

5. You Struggle to Express Your Emotions

Bottling up feelings or avoiding tough conversations often comes from a lack of self-awareness. If you’re unsure why you feel a certain way, it’s a sign you need to dig deeper.

What to do: Journal your thoughts without filtering them. Writing things down can help uncover patterns and emotions you might not notice otherwise.

6. You Feel Disconnected from Your Own Life

Going through the motions without a sense of purpose is a clear sign of not truly knowing yourself. This often happens when routines take over and personal growth is pushed aside.

What to do: Make space for reflection. Even 10 minutes a day to sit quietly, walk outside, or think about long-term goals can help you reconnect with yourself.

7. You Avoid Spending Time Alone

If you always need background noise, distractions, or company, it could be a sign that being alone with your thoughts feels uncomfortable.

What to do: Challenge yourself to enjoy solo time. Take a quiet walk, sit outside with tea, or try an activity without distractions. Learning to enjoy your own presence is key to self-discovery.

THE STEADY HOME’S GIGGLE CHAMBER

Why did the homesteader bring an extra pair of socks to the field in March?

In case they got cold feet!

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 cow is more dressed and ready for farming than you are! 😂

@digital_zoo

I got my boots I got my hat 🐮🥾🎩 #funnyvideos #funnyanimals #laughinggcow #funnycow #funnycows #animals #farm #farmlife

2. Sometimes we just wish plants would grow as fast as we imagine them to! 🌱

@willardbaygardens

If you aren’t checking them every hour and a half, did you even plant them? - #fyp #planttok #gardentok #humor #garden

ENGAGE WITH US

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