HOMESTEAD: FAMILY SURVIVAL | EPISODE 1
Gardening, Canning, Bikes & Wool Socks
In Episode 1 of Homestead: Family Survival we covered gardening with less water (and better crop yields), canning your own foods (and our secret salsa recipe), getting around in nearly any condition using adventure ebikes, and put Bailey Chase through the ringer to test cotton vs wool socks (spoiler alert: wool won).
We also discussed different viewpoints of the direction our country and society is headed—with optimism and hope. We hope you enjoyed the episode—dive deeper into each of the topics featured on Episode 1 with the content and links below.
How to Increase crop yield while decreasing water use
Whether you’re a seasoned homesteader or beginning gardener, efficient water use not only saves you money, but it’s a critical part of increasing crop health and yield. Too much or too little water will stress plants and reduce yields.
Many of us have implemented drip systems to be more efficient with our water use, but there’s an even better solution. How much better? Homestead in Real Life Host Jason Ross saw a doubling of his yield after implementing the Thirsty Earth system in his garden.
The cotta cups slowly seep water into the soil, directly at the root level. This method ensures that plants receive water exactly when and where they need it, which is especially useful in arid climates or for container gardening.
One of the key results of using the Thirsty Earth system is significant water savings—up to 61% less water—and that’s compared to traditional drip lines! If you’re converting from manual watering methods, the numbers are astronomical.
The system can be set up to automatically fill the cotta cups from a connected water source like a hose or rain barrel, making it a "set and forget" solution that's ideal for gardeners who travel or have busy schedules.
Overall, the Thirsty Earth cotta system helps to ensure that your garden is well-watered with minimal effort and maximum efficiency, promoting healthier plant growth and larger yields
The Ultimate Go Anywhere, do anything Vehicle + have fun while you’re doing it!
Considered as the “elite SUV of eBikes,” Bakcou’s featured set it far apart from other bikes on the market and make them perfect for ranching, farming, adventure, and emergencies.
They’re powerful and durable, and can handle even the most demanding tasks. In the Homestead movie, they’re seen with solar panels that allow you to charge the bike for nearly unlimited range.
They're also easy to maintain, so you can spend less time working on your bike and more time getting stuff done. You’ll never have to worry about oil changes, gasoline, or cleaning out a carburetor.
On the Homestead, we have all kinds of vehicles from 4-wheelers to side-by-sides, trucks to motorcycles—but by far—our Bakcou’s get ridden, and enjoyed the most. They’re one of our favorite investments and most versatile vehicles on the Homestead.
The best belt & Wool socks for homestead living
You know the old adage, “Cotton kills” but the other side of that is: “Wool wins.”
It takes good wool and good people to make truly good socks, and GRIP6 has done exactly that.
They make our favorite belts and wool socks—as demonstrated in this episode—where Homestead Showrunner Jason Ross, and Actor Bailey Chase, actually poured water into their boots on a cold October day to prove the point:
GRIP6 Wool Socks keep your feet warm and comfy even when they’re soaking wet.
Plus, all GRIP6 products come with an unconditional lifetime guarantee. And that’s why we not only recommend them, we wear them.
COMING CHRISTMAS 2024
GET YOUR TICKETS NOW
Homestead is coming to theaters Friday, December 20th. Purchasing an early bird ticket gets you the best price ($10) and guarantees your seat for what will be one of the biggest movies of the year.
Meet the Hosts
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Sam Sheridan
PRODUCER & AUTHOR
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Cherie Bolz
MASTER GARDENER
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Jason Ross
AUTHOR & HOMESTEAD SHOWRUNNER