A Season of Growth and Change

Wowzers, it’s been a homestead season of growing since we last posted! A lot has happened around here, and we’ve been busy—really busy. We’ve switched over most of the content from Backroads Homesteading and Harden Farm, importing all our podcasts and blogs into one place. This homestead update is a big step toward keeping everything organized and accessible, even if we’re still not completely sold on the layout. But hey, we’ll make do with what we have for now and keep tweaking things as we go along.

Expanding the Garden and the Chaos Garden Experiment

One of the most exciting developments in our recent homestead updates is the expansion of our garden. We’ve been putting a lot of effort into this, and the results have been rewarding. Among our latest projects is the creation of a chaos garden. If you haven’t heard of this before, it’s essentially a garden where plants are allowed to grow in a more natural, less structured way. The idea is to let the plants support each other, creating a thriving, resilient ecosystem. Despite the lack of rain this season, our chaos garden is doing surprisingly well, which has been one of the highlights of our recent homestead updates.

A Major Mower Upgrade: The Hustler Super Z Hyperdrive

Another significant homestead update involves upgrading our mower. After much deliberation, we decided to replace our old, trusty Toro Timecutter 5000. That mower has served us well, but it was time to move on. After weeks of researching and almost settling on a Bad Boy mower, we ultimately chose the Hustler Super Z Hyperdrive with a 40hp Vanguard engine.

This was a tough decision, but it’s one of the most critical homestead updates we’ve made recently. The Toro, while reliable, just wasn’t cutting it—literally—on our 5-acre property. We found ourselves spending entire days mowing, using up more fuel and time than we could afford. The Hustler, on the other hand, is a powerhouse that will save us both time and energy in the long run.

The Purchase Process: An Important Homestead Update
We were able to afford this upgrade thanks to our neighbor, Mike, who also needed a new mower. By purchasing two units, we qualified for commercial fleet pricing, which gave us a 27% discount. We bought from a dealer in Missouri to avoid the high sales taxes in both Arkansas and Missouri, which was a huge savings. This homestead update was not only a financial decision but also a practical one, allowing us to get the equipment we need without breaking the bank.

A Tool for the Future and a Lesson for Link
This mower upgrade wasn’t just about keeping our property looking nice. It’s also an important homestead update for our son, Link, who has started mowing lawns for a neighbor. With a better mower, Link can take on more jobs and learn valuable lessons about work, money, and responsibility. Teaching him how to budget his earnings and take pride in his work is something we consider essential, and this homestead update is a big part of that education.

Building a Side Business: Ozark Lawn & Field

In one of our more entrepreneurial homestead updates, Mike and I have been discussing the idea of starting a side business called Ozark Lawn & Field. We’re thinking of offering services like haying, baling, milling, and of course, lawn and landscape work. This homestead update is particularly exciting because it’s not just about making extra income; it’s about strengthening our connections with other homesteads and farms in the area.

Why is this important? Because as we’ve mentioned in previous homestead updates, having a strong network of like-minded people is going to be crucial as times get tougher. We’ve already seen how much we rely on our neighbors for support, and expanding that network is key to our long-term survival and success.

Adventures on the Water with Jess and Link

On a lighter note, Jess and Link finally got out on the boat! This has been one of the more fun homestead updates lately. We’ve never had such a nice craft before, and the lakes around here are perfect for it. While it’s nothing too fancy, it’s just right for fishing, tubing, and spending quality time on the water. We still need to add a new Bimini top and some additional fishing gear, but those are minor details in this latest homestead update.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much Jess enjoyed the boat. She’s not usually one for big open-water adventures, especially in a smaller craft, but the lakes around here are just the right size for her comfort level. Our friends here also dive, so I’m hoping to get back into that and maybe do some spear fishing—something I haven’t done in years but would love to try again as part of our ongoing homestead updates.

What’s Next?

Well, that’s all for this homestead update. We’ve been up to a lot more, but I’ll save those stories for the next blog post. There’s always something happening around here, and I’m excited to share more of our journey with you. Thanks for sticking with us, and stay tuned for more updates in the near future!