Ditch The Store

CJ Steedman
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  • Home & Garden
  • Updated Weekly

🎙️ Ditch the Store Life’s too short for store-bought eggs. Tired of soaring prices and supermarket nonsense? This podcast is your cheeky, no-nonsense guide to growing food, raising animals, making homemade goods, and living frugally—whether you’re in the suburbs or on a small farm. New episodes weekly + a new Ditch the Store book every two months to help you break free, one step at a time. Let’s grow it, make it, raise it—and ditch the store.

  1. Episode 164 - Backyard Greenhouses

    5d ago

    Episode 164 - Backyard Greenhouses

    Winter’s rolling in down here in the Southern Tablelands, so today we’re talking backyard greenhouses — and I don’t just mean the “grab a kit from Bunnings and hope for the best” kind. I break down what a greenhouse actually does (wind management, frost protection, moisture control and temperature buffering), why it matters in frosty climates, and the different options from tiny cloches right through to DIY window-and-door masterpieces. I also share a quick personal update on my leg (surgery, bone graft, and the long road back to being properly useful around the farm again). Thanks for all the kind messages — they’ve meant a lot.In this episode Why there was no episode last week (and where I’m at with recovery)Greenhouse vs hothouse (and why I want both)The first step: know your climate zone + frost datesFrost pockets, wind exposure and why valleys can be colderWhat a greenhouse is meant to do (not just look pretty)Greenhouse options:Cloches (mini plant domes)Cold frames (old window over a raised bed)Hoop houses / plastic tunnelsShade cloth houses (what I’m using right now)Polycarbonate kit greenhousesTraditional glasshousesDIY builds using recycled windows and doorsLocation tips: winter sun, ventilation, drainage, access and shelterPractical design stuff: walkway width, benches vs in-ground, door width, ventsMaterials + covers: timber, steel, PVC hoops, greenhouse plastic, shade cloth, polycarbonate, glassAnchoring (because nobody wants their greenhouse ending up next door)What to grow through winter (and what’s a bit too optimistic) ResourcesFree Australian hot/cold zone map for you to save or print: https://canva.link/wthzfa19m20cmbi Next week I’m going deeper into frost protection — the basics and what actually works when winter really bites.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a mate who’s trying to grow food in a frost pocket. See you next week, bye for now.

    49 min
  2. Episode 163 - Preserving Homegrown Herbs

    May 11

    Episode 163 - Preserving Homegrown Herbs

    Fresh herbs from the garden taste nothing like the sad wilted bunch from the supermarket — and if you know how to preserve them, you'll have that flavour all year round. CJ covers drying, freezing, herb butter, herb salt, and infused oils, so nothing from your autumn harvest goes to waste. 👉 Weekly tips and seasonal advice at mojohomestead.net

    37 min
  3. Episode 162 - May Garden Jobs

    May 4

    Episode 162 - May Garden Jobs

    Think there's nothing to do in the garden in May? Think again. CJ covers the autumn cleanup jobs that'll save you a heap of work come spring — from harvesting the last of the season, prepping your soil, getting winter crops in, and planning ahead so you're not scrambling when the weather warms up again. 👉 Weekly seasonal tips at mojohomestead.net

    36 min
  4. Episode 161 - Potatoes, Garlic & Onions

    Apr 27

    Episode 161 - Potatoes, Garlic & Onions

    Potatoes, garlic, and onions are three of the easiest, most satisfying crops you can grow — and right now is exactly the right time to plant them. CJ covers everything from soil prep to harvest, so you can stock your pantry for months without spending a fortune at the shops. 👉 Jump on our newsletter list and see freebie links at mojohomestead.net

    44 min
  5. Episode 160 - Simple Composting

    Apr 20

    Episode 160 - Simple Composting

    Think composting is too hard, too smelly, or needs a fancy setup? It doesn't. CJ breaks it down to the basics — greens, browns, and just getting started. Whether you've got a backyard or a farm, this episode will have you composting by the end of the week.👉 Find the Ditch the Store book series at Brooder to Plate - USA and Kindle https://amzn.to/44yQr2L Brooder to Plate - Aussie version https://amzn.to/4eTcGnw

    41 min
  6. Episode 159 - Cool Season Gardening

    Apr 13

    Episode 159 - Cool Season Gardening

    Cool Season Gardening: What to Grow This Winter (and How to Actually Keep It Alive) Think winter means shutting the garden down and waiting for spring? Think again. In this episode, CJ breaks down everything you need to know about cool season gardening — what actually changes in your garden over winter, which crops thrive in the cold, and how to set yourself up for success without overcomplicating it. Whether you've got a backyard veggie patch or a full homestead, there's no reason your garden has to go dormant. From garlic and potatoes you can basically ignore, to brassicas worth the extra effort — CJ covers the lot, including the beginner mistakes she's made herself (and would very much like you to avoid). In this episode: Why winter gardening is slower — and why that's completely fineThe best leafy greens, root vegetables, and brassicas for cool weatherHerbs that actually prefer the coldSoil prep and mulching: why it matters more in winter than any other seasonFrost protection without spending a fortuneThe most common beginner mistakes (and how to dodge them)Why garlic is the ultimate set-and-forget cropNo fluff, no Pinterest-perfect gardens. Just practical advice for real people who want to grow food through winter. 🌿 Part of the Ditch the Store podcast — practical homesteading for real people on real budgets.

    37 min
  7. Episode 158 - Homestead Easter

    Apr 6

    Episode 158 - Homestead Easter

    Easter on the Homestead: Seasonal Cycles, Real Food & Why You Should Pat Yourself on the Back Easter looks a little different when you're living off the land — especially in the Southern Hemisphere, where it lands smack in the middle of autumn, not spring. In this episode, CJ digs into what Easter actually means for homesteaders: the ancient seasonal roots behind the chocolate eggs and rabbits, why the northern and southern hemispheres are at completely opposite ends of the cycle right now, and what you should actually be doing on your property this time of year. She also makes a passionate case for why Australians need to stop being so bloody modest about their wins — and why Easter is the perfect time to sit down, reflect on your season, and give yourself credit for what you grew, raised, and kept alive. In this episode: The real (pre-chocolate) history of EasterWhat autumn on the homestead looks like in Australia right nowPractical Easter ideas using what you've already gotWhy your seasonal reflection notes matter more than you thinkA shoutout to every shift worker, nurse, ambo, and police officer working through the long weekendWhether you're heading into spring or winding down into autumn — this one's for you.🌿 Part of the Ditch the Store podcast — practical homesteading for real people on real budgets.

    36 min
  8. E 157 – Chicken Problems and Fixes

    Mar 30

    E 157 – Chicken Problems and Fixes

    New to backyard chickens and something suddenly looks… wrong? In this episode of Ditch the Store, CJ walks through the most common chicken problems new chicken keepers run into — and the simple fixes that usually solve them. This isn’t a deep dive into complex poultry health issues. Instead, it’s a practical overview designed to help beginner homesteaders stay calm when something unexpected happens in the coop. CJ covers common situations like: chickens suddenly stopping laying eggs strange or misshapen eggs moulting and feather loss bullying in the flock and pecking order behaviour egg eating habits and how to stop them mites, lice and basic parasite control when a chicken might actually need attention or isolation You’ll also hear CJ’s practical approach to livestock care, including how to decide when to treat an animal, when to manage it yourself, and when it may be kinder to dispatch. If you’re raising backyard chickens for eggs, this episode will help you feel more confident handling the small problems that every chicken keeper eventually faces. Because most chicken problems aren’t disasters — they’re just part of learning how to keep livestock. Product mentioned - INCA Pestene Powder

    50 min
See All (165)

About

🎙️ Ditch the Store Life’s too short for store-bought eggs. Tired of soaring prices and supermarket nonsense? This podcast is your cheeky, no-nonsense guide to growing food, raising animals, making homemade goods, and living frugally—whether you’re in the suburbs or on a small farm. New episodes weekly + a new Ditch the Store book every two months to help you break free, one step at a time. Let’s grow it, make it, raise it—and ditch the store.

Information

  • Creator
    CJ Steedman
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    165
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © CJ Steedman
  • Show Website
    Ditch The Store

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