Rediscover Modern Homesteading

Years ago, while renovating our charming but weathered 1920s bungalow (who am I kidding, it was falling apart), I stumbled upon a small treasure trove of jars tucked away beneath floorboards, stashed in the back of cupboards, and buried in the garden: old…

Yes, you read that correctly!

These chilly overnight temperatures mean our log-burner continues to work hard at the centre of our old homestead, keeping the main living areas warm and welcoming.

When it’s time to beet the cold, this cozy Caprese Salad is fit for all seasons.

This cottage cheese recipe is incredibly simple and rewarding to make from scratch.

If you’ve only ever steamed your broccoli, prepare to see this humble veg in a whole new light.

Homegrown Potatoes – All Grown Up There’s nothing quite like the taste of freshly dug new potatoes.

Preserving pears in juice makes for a handy breakfast or baking companion, long after the pear season has ended.

The Humble Slow-Cooked Soup There’s something deeply satisfying about rediscovering the simple joy of a slow-cooked bowl of soup.

Transforming a humble ladder into a thriving vertical garden is not just a charming DIY project, it’s a smart way to grow fresh food and herbs in tight spaces.

Oh you South Islanders are sly.

It’s been a little while since I last posted in this Moments section.

Gutter Gardens are a small-space hero of edible gardening When space is limited but your green thumb is itching, a gutter garden offers the perfect solution.

High Achievers – Growing Vertically on an A-Frame Most vegetables in the gourd family, like cucumbers, pumpkins, melons, and squashes, are quick to take off.

Smart Storage: A DIY Rack for Room-Temperature Produce Gardeners with bountiful harvests know the storage struggles of fresh fruit and vegetables, especially produce that doesn’t require refrigeration and thrives at room temperature to ripen properly.

If you’re looking for a simple summer dessert that feels fancy without the fuss, this Stone Fruit Pudding is a rustic take on the classic French ‘clafoutis’.

Shortcake just seems to taste even better when you use foraged, gifted or seasonal fruit from your own backyard.

A wonderful way to use preserved lemon and the wins from your veggie patch!

Preserved Lemons: the pantry staple you didn’t know you needed Bright, tangy, complex, and deeply aromatic, preserved lemons are a traditional ingredient in North African and Middle Eastern cooking, but their usefulness stretches far beyond any single cui…

Last season I was introduced to the Lady Godiva pumpkin.

Build Your Own Winter-Ready Woodstore …and keep your firewood dry and close-at-hand all year round for winter warmth, summer pizza nights, and every BBQ in between.

Having an abundant plum season?

With my first real success in making sauerkraut, I am converted.

Ready yourself for beetroot chaos in the kitchen!

Upcycle old tyres into something useful – just like our Tyre Seat!

From elaborate designs to individual plant protectors made from plastic bottles, cloches (pronounced kl-oshes) provide handy protection from insects, pests and weather.

Wooden pallets are a DIYer’s friend and can be transformed into a range of indoor and outdoor furniture – in this instance, an Upcycled Wooden Pallet Swing.

Gathering and saving seeds from a homegrown harvest is easy, cost effective and rewarding.

After a lemon dilemma, I’ve turned my hand to the process of dehydrating lemon zest and turning it to Lemon Zest Powder.

Starting Strong: Build Your Own Propagation Station The warm, weather-resistant, pest-free environment of a greenhouse is ideal for germinating seeds.

Sweet Chilli Sauce goes with just about everything and, after a bumper chilli season, just as well!

For those of you with an ample supply of pumpkin after the autumn harvest, and feel like something a little different, check out this Pumpkin Shortcake recipe.

Be sure to use that glut of green tomatoes at the end of the summer season for good use!

Take a Seat – Upcycle an unwanted door into a pride-of-place hallway statement Every entrance way or mudroom can benefit from a place to hang coats, tidy away shoes, and perch while kicking off gumboots.

Old wooden chairs no longer need to be stashed in the garden shed ready for inorganic collection.

A ‘bug hotel’ is an enjoyable way to celebrate your garden helpers, a fun family project and instant garden art.

Made with twigs ‘n twine, and all things fine, this Bird Bath is a a real craft project for an arty gardener.

A chick brooder houses new chicks in a warm, contained, weather-proof and pest-proof environment.

Feijoa season is short and sharp, usually providing an over abundance of fruit.

It’s October – that means Loquat Jam is on the menu.

Where garden structure meets sculpture…my DIY obelisk.

Where Tools Retire with Dignity: Build a Garden Gate There’s something quietly noble about an old garden tool…the worn handle, the chipped enamel, the marks of a hundred seasons etched into its surface.

Great for fresh or frozen feijoa pulp, this Feijoa Date & Walnut Loaf is virtually fool proof!

If you are a hummus fan, it’s always good to have a go-to recipe so you can make this delicious spread or dip at home.

I love limes.

With my passion of saving food, my green tomatoes are destined for the preserving pan: Green Tomato & Chilli Chutney Near the end of the tomato growing season, frost can completely annihilate tomato plants.

As you may have spotted in my 5 Ways to Preserve Fresh Chilli, this simple brine recipe works a treat.

If you are looking for something extra-yum to add to your next cheese or nibbles platter, I can highly recommend mini cheese balls.

It’s fresh fig season and I’m loving it.

As the name suggests, this Chilli Fig Jam is sweet however with the beautiful chilli after-kick it isn’t the kind of jam you may be used to on toast!