Is homesteading your ultimate dream? Because mine too, plant friends! Like most gardeners, I've always dreamed of someday creating a homestead and being more self-sufficient. I very much enjoy growing my own fruits, veggies, and herbs, but starting homesteading seemed a little scary. That’s why I was so excited to speak with gardening influencer Kevin Espiritu of Epic Gardening, who has spent the last few years turning his suburban property into an enviable homestead. Kevin shared his advice for transitioning from gardener to homesteader, one step at a time.In this episode, we learn:[04:43] Managing multiple projects and Kevin’s homestead building[04:51] What got Kevin interested in homesteading?[07:59] Homesteading vs gardening[09:14] What are the aspects/elements of homesteading?[11:15] What is “greywater” and its potential for water recycling?[14:17] Different uses of rainwater (and why you should start collecting them!)[15:22] Experience cozy mindfulness with Wind River Chimes![16:53] Learn actionable steps to build resilience in your garden with ‘The Climate Change Resilient Vegetable Garden’ by Kim Stoddart[18:40] Kevin’s rainwater harvesting system (which gauges the amount of rainfall one can capture over a year)[21:59] How solar energy works and how the net metering system operates[26:47] What is the role of a pond in homesteading?[28:53] Creating an aquaponic system[31:30] Switch to Espoma Organic's soil, compost, and plant food for a healthier homestead garden.[33:24] How has Kevin's experience raising chickens been?[36:51] Chicken care tips![39:12] Can you do homesteading indoors?[40:53] What was the inspiration for Kevin's orchard?[42:30] What are the various fruits grown by Kevin?[43:47] What is the food forest approach to growing food?[45:47] What is Kevin’s favorite way of preserving food?[46:55] What’s next for Kevin?[48:08] Check out Kevin’s book, Epic HomesteadingMentioned in our conversation:Book by Kevin Espiritu, Epic HomesteadingDr. Bronner's SoapBAR SOAP – OasisAquascapeCarolina CoopsChickenGuardGrowing Joy Episode 210: How to Grow Citrus Indoors With Danny of via CitrusGrowing Joy Episode 206: The History of Italian Gardens and Italian Citrus With Helena AttleeFor a list of homestead components that you can start with,check out the full show notes and blog here!Thank you to our episode sponsors:Wind River ChimesBring more peace, serenity, and magic into your home with chimes. Wind River is a Virginia-based company creating premium handcrafted and hand-tuned wind chimes for over 35 years. If you are looking for a new way to grow joy in your life and find a moment of peace, a Wind River chime is the perfect addition to your home or garden. Plus, it's a perfect personalized gift for your loved ones!Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on all Corinthian Bells wind chimes.Quarto: The Climate Change-Resilient Vegetable Garden by Kim StoddartOur gardens can face a lot of concerns with this changing climate, from water-usage restrictions, extended heat waves, disastrous flooding, “super weeds,” or prolonged pest life cycles, there’s daunting challenges ahead for food growers around the world. Author Kim Stoddart outlines a clear path toward building resilience in your vegetable plants, your soil, and yourself with their new book The Climate Change-Resilient Vegetable Garden. With actionable tasks that reduce resource use, stabilize the garden’s ecosystem, and offer regenerative solutions to the most challenging issues faced by gardeners, this book provides advice to help you weather these storms with ease. Grab the book at your favorite local bookstore, bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble or amazon.com.Espoma OrganicIf you want a garden that provides, set it up for success with high-quality soil, fertilizer, potting mix and more! Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To top it all off, they have a huge sustainability commitment with a 100% solar-powered plant, zero waste manufacturing, and eco-friendly packaging.Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.Follow Kevin:Personal WebsiteEpic GardeningShopFacebookYouTubePodcastInstagramTikTokTwitterDiscordFollow Maria and Growing Joy:Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha LeungJoin the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram: @growingjoywithmariaTiktok: @growingjoywithmariaSubscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmariaWebsite: www.growingjoywithmaria.comPinterest: @growingjoywithmaria