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- From Garden to Pantry: How We Turn Tiny Harvests into a Year’s Worth of Food
From Garden to Pantry: How We Turn Tiny Harvests into a Year’s Worth of Food
What we’re picking, preserving, and storing from our small backyard garden
Ark
August 23, 2025
Harvest Season on Our Small Homestead
Harvest season has arrived, and our family of six is fully immersed in the whirlwind of gathering crops and preparing for the months ahead. Living on a small homestead, life moves at a relentless pace, and even though summer feels like it just began, we’re already laying the groundwork for fall. This week, we’re tackling the first wave of our crop harvest, planning how to preserve our bounty, and addressing some unexpected challenges in the garden.
A Sudden Wake-Up Call
After being sidelined by illness for a few days, I stepped into the garden to find an abundance of crops ready for harvest. Tomatoes, cucumbers, and zucchini were practically begging to be picked. The tomatoes, in particular, presented a challenge. Some appeared underripe, still green on the outside, but I’ve learned that fluctuations in watering—common during dry spells followed by heavy rain—can cause tomatoes to ripen from the inside out. These deceptive fruits can feel squishy and be overly ripe or even rotting inside despite their green exterior. By carefully feeling each tomato for ripeness, I selected those ready to be picked and brought them inside to finish ripening safely.
Preserving the Harvest
With the harvest in full swing, preservation is key to making our food last. The cucumbers we harvested were transformed into fridge pickles, yielding five jars—though we’re already down to three and a half, as they’re a family favorite. For the tomatoes, we don’t yet have enough for a full canning day, so I’m chopping them up and freezing them in bags. Freezing not only preserves them but also makes it easier to remove the skins later for sauces. Similarly, our zucchini surplus is being sliced, portioned into bags, and frozen for upcoming meals. This approach ensures we’re ready for a big canning day once the rest of the tomatoes are harvested.
Chicken and Meat Bird Updates
Our homestead isn’t just about crops. Our chickens are thriving, thanks to the Premier 1 feeder, which has been a game-changer. After filling it with two 40-pound bags of feed, it lasted three to four weeks without needing a refill, keeping the feed dry and easily accessible. Our meat birds, raised for their nutrient-rich diet of bugs and grass, have moved from the brooder to the pasture. They’re flourishing, running around in their mobile setup, which we move daily to fresh patches of lush grass. Watching them thrive is a reminder of why we raise them ourselves.
Indoor Gardening for Winter
As we look toward winter, fresh herbs have been a concern—until now. We recently tried an indoor planter from VGO Garden, and it’s proving to be a solution. The planter sits in a water basin with a reservoir to monitor moisture levels, ensuring consistent soil conditions. Paired with a grow light, it’s perfect for growing herbs indoors during the colder months. We’ve been impressed with how easy it is to maintain, and for anyone interested, there’s a $10 discount with the code “Brothers Farm” at checkout (link in the description).
Preparing for Fall and Winter
Even as summer lingers, we’re planting fall crops. The boys and I headed to the garden to sow carrots and beans, using seed strips to ensure even spacing and eliminate the need for thinning later. The paper strips dissolve in the soil, making planting a breeze. Watching our sons work together, learning the skills and discipline of homesteading, is one of the greatest rewards. From planting to problem-solving, they’re growing into perceptive, capable young men. Their laughter and teamwork in the garden are a testament to their resilience and ability to forgive, a gift my wife, Bri, and I are endlessly grateful for after navigating our own challenges, from divorce to reconciliation.
The Firewood Challenge
As if gardens and livestock weren’t enough, winter prep looms large. One task we can’t ignore is stockpiling firewood. The boys and I tackled this recently, dragging the log splitter to the woodpile and firing up the chainsaw—after a quick run to the store for gas and chain oil, of course. It’s a daunting task, but with many more days like this ahead, we’re determined to chip away at it.
Facing Garden Challenges
Not everything goes smoothly. We’ve noticed fungus issues creeping into the garden, likely due to the fluctuating weather. Identifying and addressing this will be critical to protecting our crops. For now, we’re focusing on harvesting what’s ready and monitoring the situation closely.
A Life of Learning and Gratitude
Homesteading is a constant balancing act—gardens, animals, homeschooling, and full-time jobs keep us on our toes. Yet, it’s the moments of working alongside our children, seeing them grow, and savoring the fruits of our labor that make it all worthwhile. As August races by, we’re behind on winter prep, but we’re tackling it together, one task at a time. The homestead life is demanding, but it’s also deeply rewarding, filled with lessons, love, and the promise of a bountiful future.
