Welcome to the Homesteading & Gardening section of Our Manor On Main—where simple living meets seasonal self-sufficiency. Whether you’re working with a backyard, a balcony, or your first raised bed, this is your go-to space for practical homesteading tips, beginner-friendly gardening advice, and old-fashioned skills for a more intentional life. From seed starting and composting to preserving your harvest and prepping for each season, you’ll find inspiration to grow, tend, and thrive—right where you are.
If you love simple real food cooking, these easy homemade pantry staples will fill your kitchen with flavor and help you save money. From sauces and spice blends to dairy staples and sourdough favorites, here are the everyday essentials I always keep on hand.
This homemade ranch seasoning mix tastes like classic Hidden Valley ranch but is made with real herbs and no fillers. Use it for dips, dressings, roasted veggies, and kefir ranch dressing. Simple, cozy, and pantry friendly.
Get your small-space homestead garden ready for winter with this fall cleanup checklist. Learn how to prune, harvest, compost, and prep your beds for spring.
Make the most of your sourdough with this easy homemade croutons recipe. Golden, crunchy, and full of flavor, these croutons are perfect on soups, salads, casseroles, or packaged as a cozy fall gift.
Discover how to forage and use fresh fall herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage to add cozy, seasonal flavors to your kitchen. A simple, heartfelt guide for embracing autumn’s gifts.
Baking sourdough at home is easier than you think. Learn the essential tools that will help your starter thrive, make shaping dough a breeze, and give you beautiful, bakery-style loaves you’ll love.
Cozy up with a warm cup of homemade bone broth. Made from leftover chicken bones or other animal bones, this nourishing broth is rich in collagen, gut-friendly, and perfect for soups, stews, or sipping on its own.
Discover cozy fall harvest recipes using seasonal produce. From pumpkins and squash to apples and root vegetables, find easy ideas for soups, salads, baked goods, and more.
Learn all about chickens molting in late summer—why your hens lose feathers, what to expect, and how to care for your flock during this natural transition.
Wondering why your chickens stopped laying eggs in late summer? Learn the 7 most common reasons for an egg production drop and how to fix it.
