🤫 The Soil Prep Rule Everyone Should Know + The Slow Living Blueprint

IN TODAY'S EDITION

1. Homestead Tip 🌱

2. Poll Results From Last Thursday 📊

3. All Things Homestead: Getting Your Soil Ready for Spring 📌

4. Personal Development: Embracing Slow Living 💚

5. Today's Top Picks 🛍️

6. Let’s Keep It Reel 🤣

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

This Year, Take Control of Your Food & Your Future

Do you ever stare at the grocery store shelves, feeling like you need a chemistry degree just to understand what’s in your food? It wasn’t always this way. Our grandparents didn’t have to Google if their food was safe. They grew it. They preserved it. They knew exactly what was on their plate.

But today? We’re left with skyrocketing food prices, endless recalls, and produce that’s traveled thousands of miles before it lands on our tables.

That’s why I started this challenge! To help you take back control.

March: Gardening Basics 🌱

You don’t need acres of land or a green thumb to start growing food. You just need guidance, simple steps, and the right support. In this month’s challenge, you’ll learn:

• The easiest plants to grow—even if you’ve never kept a houseplant alive

• How to feed your family from your backyard (or even your balcony!)

• The secret to healthy, thriving plants without spending a fortune on supplies

• How to avoid beginner mistakes and actually get results this season

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

I get it. The idea of starting a garden can feel overwhelming. I was in your shoes once. I spent hours scrolling Pinterest, watching videos, and feeling completely lost.

That’s why I created a step-by-step approach that simplifies the process and gives you a clear plan (one that actually fits into your busy life).

And if you’re just now joining us, January & February’s challenges are still available anytime! So, if you’re looking to stock your pantry with budget-friendly staples or ditch the chemicals in your skincare routine, you can jump in right where you need to.

POLL RESULTS FROM LAST TUESDAY

What’s your favorite cool-season crop?

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Spinach. I love fresh greens!

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Carrots. They are sweet and easy to store.

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Peas! Perfect for snacking and soups.

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ Onions. Well, can’t cook without them!

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ I don’t plant early crops, just summer veggies.

via @beehiiv polls

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

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

ALL THINGS HOMESTEAD

Getting Your Soil Ready for Spring 📌

Winter may still have its grip on the land, but spring planting will be here before we know it. Instead of waiting for the last frost to pass, now is the perfect time to prepare garden beds for a thriving season ahead. The secret to strong, healthy plants starts long before seeds go into the ground—it begins with the soil.

1. Clean Up and Remove Debris

Leftover plants, fallen leaves, and weeds can hide pests and diseases that will cause problems in the spring. Clearing out last season’s remains helps prevent unwanted surprises.

• Remove dead plants and any diseased material from garden beds.

• Pull out weeds before they have a chance to reseed.

• Turn over mulch to expose hiding pests.

If plant material is healthy, composting it can help build nutrient-rich soil for later use.

2. Test and Improve Soil Health

A simple soil test gives valuable insight into what’s needed for better plant growth. Many county extension offices offer free or low-cost testing, or at-home kits can provide quick results.

• Check pH levels: Most vegetables thrive in slightly acidic soil (6.0-7.0).

• Measure nutrient levels: Low nitrogen or potassium can stunt plant growth.

• Adjust as needed: Add lime to raise pH or sulfur to lower it.

3. Add Organic Matter for Nutrients

Winter is the best time to build up soil health by adding organic matter. This improves drainage, boosts nutrients, and encourages beneficial microbes.

• Spread compost over garden beds and let it break down naturally.

• Use aged manure (from chickens, cows, or rabbits) to increase nitrogen levels.

• Mix in leaf mulch or straw to prevent soil from becoming compacted.

Healthy soil holds moisture better and provides plants with the nutrients they need to thrive.

4. Protect Soil with Cover Crops or Mulch

Bare soil can lead to erosion and nutrient loss. If cover crops were planted in the fall, now is the time to cut them back and work them into the soil. If not, adding a layer of mulch is the next best option.

• Straw, wood chips, or leaves can help retain moisture.

• Cover crops like clover or rye add organic matter and suppress weeds.

• Tarping garden beds can warm up soil earlier, making it ready for planting sooner.

5. Plan Crop Rotation for Better Growth

Planting the same crops in the same spot every year depletes soil nutrients and invites pests. Rotating crops helps balance the soil and keep gardens productive.

• Move nitrogen-hungry plants like tomatoes to a new location.

• Follow heavy feeders with legumes, which naturally add nitrogen back into the soil.

• Avoid planting the same plant families in the same space year after year.

6. Boost Microbial Life with Natural Amendments

Healthy soil is full of life, from earthworms to beneficial bacteria. Encouraging these tiny workers improves soil structure and helps plants access nutrients more easily.

• Sprinkle bone meal or rock phosphate to support root growth.

• Apply worm castings for a natural fertilizer boost.

• Add mycorrhizal fungi to increase plant resilience.

Soil that’s teeming with life leads to stronger, more disease-resistant plants.

7. Start Seeds Indoors for a Head Start

While waiting for the soil to warm up, starting seeds indoors gives plants a strong beginning. This is especially useful for slow-growing crops like tomatoes, peppers, and herbs.

• Use seed trays or small containers with drainage holes.

• Place them in a warm, sunny spot or use grow lights.

• Transplant them into the garden once temperatures are stable.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Embracing Slow Living 💚

Homesteaders and homemakers know all too well the feeling of being pulled in a dozen different directions. There’s always another chore to do, another meal to prepare, another list of tasks waiting to be tackled. But what if the constant hustle isn’t actually making life better? What if slowing down could bring more peace, purpose, and fulfillment?

Here’s how to embrace a slower, more meaningful life.

1. Prioritize What Matters Most

It’s easy to fill days with tasks that feel urgent but don’t actually bring joy or fulfillment. Slowing down starts with identifying what truly matters.

• Write down three non-negotiables for each day—things that bring value to life.

• Let go of activities that drain energy without offering much in return.

• Focus on quality over quantity in everything, from social interactions to household projects.

Homesteaders often feel pressure to “do it all,” but sometimes, doing less leads to a more fulfilling life.

2. Start Mornings with Intention

Rushing through mornings sets the tone for a chaotic day. A slower start helps bring calm and focus.

• Wake up a few minutes earlier to enjoy a quiet moment before the day begins.

• Avoid reaching for a phone first thing in the morning—social media can wait.

• Step outside, sip a warm drink, or do a quick stretch before diving into work.

Simple morning rituals create space for clarity before the demands of the day take over.

3. Create Rhythms Instead of Routines

Strict schedules can feel suffocating, but gentle daily rhythms offer balance and flexibility.

• Set up loose routines for meals, chores, and rest instead of rigid to-do lists.

• Plan work around natural energy levels—tackle harder tasks when feeling motivated.

• Allow time for breaks without guilt, whether it’s sitting on the porch or taking a walk.

Rhythms let life flow naturally instead of feeling like a race against the clock.

4. Simplify Home and Homestead Spaces

Clutter, whether physical or mental, adds stress. A simpler space creates a calmer mindset.

• Keep only the items that are useful or truly loved.

• Organize workspaces to make daily tasks easier and more enjoyable.

• Adopt a “one in, one out” rule. If something new comes in, something else goes out.

5. Make Meals an Experience, Not a Chore

Food is more than just fuel. It’s an opportunity to connect, nourish, and slow down.

• Cook meals from scratch when possible, using homegrown or local ingredients.

• Sit down to eat without distractions like phones or TV.

• Take time to enjoy each bite instead of rushing through meals.

6. Practice Saying No Without Guilt

Not every invitation, request, or commitment deserves a “yes.” Learning to say no creates space for what truly matters.

• Pause before agreeing to new obligations. Ask if it aligns with personal values.

• Set boundaries with work, social events, and even technology.

• Remember that saying no to one thing means saying yes to something more important.

7. Disconnect to Reconnect

Technology makes life easier, but it can also steal attention from real-life moments.

• Set phone-free times, like during meals or before bed.

• Spend more time outdoors, whether tending to a garden or just sitting in the sun.

• Choose real-life conversations over endless scrolling.

8. End the Day with Gratitude

A slow life is a grateful life. Taking time to appreciate the little things brings more joy.

• Write down three good things that happened each day.

• Reflect on progress instead of focusing on what’s still left to do.

• Find joy in the simple moments, such as a warm bread out of the oven, quiet sunset, and a deep breath.

THE STEADY HOME’S GIGGLE CHAMBER

What’s a pig’s favorite part of March?

Rolling into a fresh mud season!

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. Only five minutes late with dinner, and your goats are already screaming at you like you ruined their whole day! 😆

@lily.goat.farms

5 minutes late for dinner lol. #bestfriends #homesteading #farmife #farm #goatsoftiktok #family #jokeoftheday😂 #twins #NYC #jokes #goats... See more

2. We gotta be smart with our investments, right? That’s why… Chickcoins! 🐥💰

@tinyshedlife

What are egg prices in your area? All jokes aside, how insane are egg prices right now?? #egg #eggs #eggflation #rich #farmlife #homestead... See more

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