What to Put in a Homestead Box
A beautiful way to give back to the community
I really don’t love the term “homestead.” Its history is problematic. I much prefer “regenerative garden” if I had to pick a term. But let’s face it: Homesteading has been popularized enough that people have an immediate association. They have a good idea of what it is they’re going to get.
I didn’t set out to create a homestead.
It is a natural extension of what I planned to do. I knew I wanted to buy a house for me and my children. I knew that I wanted to plant fruit trees on my property. I knew I wanted a garden. Everything else? Well, that evolved in surprising ways.
I got the house. I planted the trees — so many trees! I began my garden with modest raised beds. Then came the chickens. In this specific case, the chickens came before the eggs (on my property, at any rate). I made my garden bigger and planted more native plants. Then, I got rabbits to fertilize my garden (and because OMG are they cute!).
It wasn’t supposed to be a form of income. It was just a part of the lifestyle I was building. But this economy in my bougie town? Wow. I had to figure something out.
This is how my Homestead Box was born.
It’s sort of a farm co-op but without a regular schedule. My homestead boxes depend entirely on what’s fresh. Every box (now a basket, thanks to some excellent thrifting) contains a dozen organic eggs from my chickens, a bundle of herbs (two varieties), a bar of homemade soap, and an organic wildflower bouquet from my garden. I usually add in a small notebook and pencil (with a plantable seed inside for when it’s used up), some stickers, and whatever little extras I have available.
From here on out, just assume everything in my boxes is organic.
From there, I add what’s available.
Fresh vegetables
Fresh fruit
Herbal teas
Dried herbs
Bath teas
Simple syrups
The base of the boxes stays the same: eggs, flowers, herbs, and soap. The others can be customized to complete the box. It helps keep the pricing pretty universal while customizing the box to the buyer.
Want to know what I love best about making these?
It’s a whole sensory experience. I often add rosemary and lavender to boxes — a wonderful aromatic combination. I usually add herbs to the bouquets, too. Adding eucalyptus, mint, lavender, or rosemary gives it texture, color, and a nuanced fragrance. Every little “extra” says that my boxes are intentional and thoughtful. I don’t throw in junk I have lying around. I add little affirmation cards, chosen at random, or bookmarks for the avid reader.
I love walking through my garden to gather what I need for my boxes. I put so much love into it, and then I send it off in hopes it’s enjoyed and appreciated. Every box is different, but every box is the same in that it’s organic, freshly prepared, seasonal, and both grown and assembled with love.
In the future, I may add a few new items.
I may create bottles of organic cleaning products. I know how to do it, and I can use herbs in my garden for that, too. It’s a good way to add something that falls under the whole homesteading umbrella.
I’ve thought about making products with the essential oils I have on hand. More research is needed for that. It definitely opens up other avenues, particularly as we move into the fall and winter seasons. I’d love to be able to offer boxes year-round.
My regenerative garden, or homestead, is really for my family. We get fresh eggs, abundant herbs, and provide plenty of flowers for area pollinators. On a good day, we get fruit and vegetables to enjoy. It helps with food insecurity—an all-too-common problem with these inflated grocery prices. I love that I can use what I grow to take care of my family, which includes supplementing my income as needed.
Want my Midnight Magic goat milk soap recipe?
Start with a soap base. I bought a goat milk soap base on the recommendation of a friend, but you can also use cocoa butter, honey, shea butter, aloe, or oatmeal as a base. Melt as directed.
Add 3 Tbsp of activated charcoal.
Add 2 tsp of turmeric powder.
Add coffee grounds (for exfoliation).
You can use essential oils for fragrance, but I gather fresh rosemary and lavender and grind them into a fine powder to stir into the recipe.
Mix all the dry ingredients, and then stir them into the melted soap base. Allow to set and dry before cutting into bars or shapes.
This soap is excellent for everything, but it’s my favorite face soap!