May arrives in a bittersweet way. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue on this journey that has grown into something much greater than we ever imagined. Each seed planted, each family encouraged, and each moment shared with our community reminds us why we began this mission. Your kindness continues to uplift us during both the joyful and difficult seasons of life. Yet, even with all the blessings that surround us, the bitterness still remains.
This Mother’s Day, I was surprised by a blooming lily in the garden. Sunflowers have always been my favorite flower, yet after Stacey’s death, I grew especially fond of lilies. I remember our last Mother’s Day weekend together when he surprised me by coming home early and bringing me lilies. At the time, I wondered, Why lilies? Never realizing they would later become one of my favorite flowers and such a treasured memory of him. May 30th marks the 8th year since the passing of our beloved son, Stacey Bradley II. Although time moves forward, the love we carry for Stacey remains just as strong today as it was yesterday. In many ways, Bradley’s Homestead was born from that grief. What began as a place of healing slowly transformed into a purpose-driven mission rooted in love, faith, community, and service. Stacey’s memory lives on in every life we touch, every person we encourage, and every act of kindness we are able to share. This month especially reminds us that life can hold both sorrow and joy at the same time. While our hearts continue to mourn, they are also filled with gratitude. We hope this message encourages anyone walking through grief to know that healing does not mean forgetting. It means learning how to carry love forward while continuing to live with purpose.
Our Harvest
Our garden is growing so lushly this season, and it has been exciting to watch everything come to life. All of the garden boxes are filled with healthy plants, and many of the vegetables are beginning to produce. So far, we have harvested peas, radishes, and radish greens that I have grown fond of cooking (recipe below). Also, I decided to cook loaded radishes as a healthier alternative to loaded potatoes. There is something so rewarding about enjoying the first harvests of the season.
I have been carefully watching the squash and zucchini slowly come in, while the tomato and pepper plants are now covered in beautiful flower blooms. This has also been an amazing year for our berry plants. The mulberry tree and thornless blackberry bush are both overflowing with unripe berries, promising an abundant harvest in the weeks ahead. I have also noticed clusters of muscadine grapes, which we received from our neighbor, beginning to form on the vines. This year, I decided to add huckleberries and wonderberries to the garden, and I am looking forward to watching their growth and learning more about how they thrive in our space. The pomegranate tree is also bearing fruit this season, and I am especially curious and excited to see how it develops. One of the sweetest surprises has been the banana tree’s return. The neighbor who blessed us with it shared that we should finally get bananas this year, which makes the anticipation even greater. Perhaps one of the most rewarding milestones this season has been harvesting asparagus for the very first time. We planted it in 2023, knowing it would take time to produce, so finally being able to harvest it this year felt incredibly special. Gardening constantly teaches us lessons about patience, faith, consistency, and hope.
Sautéed Radish Greens
- radish greens
- olive oil
- minced garlic
- thinly sliced onions
- crushed pepper
- salt
Instructions:
Prepare radish greens: cut greens from the radish root, then cut greens into bite-sized pieces
Sauté the greens: heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Add garlic and onions, cooking until it begins to brown and become fragrant.
Next: add seasoning and cook about 20-30 seconds more. Then, add the radish greens and stir constantly until completely wilted and cooked down, about 2-3 minutes.
Serve: Remove to a plate and serve immediately.
Our Animals
Temperatures are warming up, so we are keeping a watchful eye on the animals, ensuring they stay hydrated and seek shelter during the hottest parts of the day. However, we are quickly learning that they monitor the weather as well and seem to know exactly how to handle the forecast. Whether it is finding the coolest patch of shade or settling in during the hottest part of the afternoon, their instincts never cease to amaze us.
Life on the homestead continues to move quickly as each day brings new growth and responsibilities. Last weekend, I decided to breed Daisy, and if all goes well, we are hopeful that in roughly two weeks she will welcome a new litter. The meat birds have also reached another milestone and officially graduated from the brooder into their outdoor run. It is incredible how fast they grow. Just a short time ago, they were tiny chicks under the warmth of the heat lamp, and now they are thriving outside with more space to roam. If all continues according to plan, we will be processing them by the end of June.
Our goat meat sale was a huge success; we sold out within days! We are incredibly thankful for the support from our community and everyone who chose to purchase from our homestead. I have learned so much about goat meat since becoming a supplier (LOL), but seriously, it has been eye-opening to discover just how beneficial it can be as part of a healthy diet. Goat meat is a healthier alternative to many other red meats, such as beef, lamb, and pork. It is naturally lean, highly nutritious, and offers a variety of health benefits. We are excited for future opportunities to continue supplying farm-raised meats and educating others about the benefits of locally raised food. Thank you again to everyone who supported our recent sale. We truly appreciate every one of you.
Homestead Happenings
Our plant sale is continuing throughout the season, offering healthy garden starter plants for those looking to grow their own food and gardens. We are thankful for everyone who has stopped by to support us and are excited to continue helping our community grow one plant at a time.
This past month’s Craft Therapy class was a sassy pot!
off the homestead happenings…
This season has kept us busy with several “off the homestead” projects as we continue partnering with organizations throughout our communities. It has been rewarding to take the mission of Bradley’s Homestead beyond our garden gates and into spaces where education, encouragement, and community growth can flourish together.
We are excited to share that our 2 Grow A Row initiative projects were successfully completed. We are especially pleased with the outcome of both projects at W.M. Anderson Primary’s K4 class in Kingstree and the Carolina Teen Center in Summerville.
In addition, we donated a batch of healthy vegetable starter plants to the Bishop Richard Harvey Cain Community Garden in Lincolnville. We are thankful for every opportunity to support local gardens and organizations that are helping cultivate stronger, healthier communities.
As the growing season continues, we look forward to planting more seeds of hope, service, and connection.
Bradley's Homestead 