September has always felt like a reminder that nothing stays the same forever. The garden begins to shift. Summer slowly releases its grip, the days begin to change, and we start preparing the soil for what comes next. There is something beautiful about that transition; a quiet reminder that endings can also be beginnings.
Just like a garden, our lives have seasons. There are seasons of planting, seasons of waiting, seasons of harvesting, and seasons when the soil simply needs to rest. I don’t have to have every answer today. I need to keep planting good seeds, tend to what God has entrusted to me, and trust Him with the harvest. So as I welcome this new season, I’m choosing to look forward with hope.
Our Harvest
There is something bittersweet about watching a garden change with the seasons. Our summer garden is beginning to wind down. Some of the plants that carried us through the heat of summer are dying back, their leaves fading and their time in the garden coming to an end. Some of our peppers are still producing, and the okra is continuing to reach for the sky, reminding us the garden isn’t quite finished with summer yet. One of this month’s highlights was that we finally harvested a watermelon. Our only sugar baby watermelon all season!
The zinnias and Mexican sunflowers are still blooming beautifully, adding little pops of life and color throughout the garden. Today I noticed something else that made me smile: a beautiful volunteer morning glory had popped up on its own. Sometimes the most beautiful things are the things we never planned for. Our roselle bushes have grown incredibly large this season, and I’m eagerly anticipating those beautiful blooms. Roselle, sometimes called hibiscus or sorrel, is one of my favorite plants to grow because it gives us something I can enjoy long after the growing season ends. I absolutely love making hibiscus (sorrel) tea, and one of my favorite things to do is dehydrate the calyces and store them for later use.
Our Animals
Chickens definitely have their own personalities and pecking-order drama! If things don’t settle down, we may need to make a few adjustments in the coming days to make sure everyone has enough space and that the flock stays healthy and happy.
Over on the farm in Salters, we’ve welcomed more goats to the herd, and so far, they seem to be adjusting well. They are settling in nicely with the other goats and cows.
One thing that has really changed for us since we began selling our farm-raised meat is that the animals are now in constant rotation. There’s always something happening, new animals arriving, animals growing, animals moving on, and preparations being made for what comes next. It has definitely given me an even greater appreciation for the food chain, the farm-to-table journey, and what it truly means to raise animals for food.
Homestead Happenings
FALL PLANT SALE ~ TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22ND
Our Fall Plant Sale Fundraiser helps support the continued work of the homestead and the programs and community efforts we are so passionate about. If you’re ready to get your fall garden started, contact us to schedule a time to come by and shop. (843) 709-0845
Vegetable Starts — $2 each
Herb Starts — $3 each
Collards
Cabbage
Kale
Swiss Chard
Rhubarb
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Spinach
Brussel Sprouts
Lettuce
Asian Greens
Bok choy
Mustard
Kohlrabi
Basil
Sage
Thyme
Chervil
Coriander
Oregano
Dill
Fennel
Come grow with us!
off the homestead happenings…
September brings our Sharing the Harvest: Senior Produce Giveaway program to a close, and what a season it has been! This was our first year running the program, and we are incredibly proud of the outcome. Being able to share fresh, nutritious produce with seniors in our community has been such a rewarding experience. As we reflect on our first year, we’re also taking notes on what worked, what didn’t, and what we can improve. We look forward to the next year and to making Sharing the Harvest even more efficient and impactful.
And while one growing season is coming to an end, we’re already thinking about Spring 2027! We are currently looking to partner with nonprofit organizations for our Grow A Row Initiative. Our goal is to work alongside organizations that want to grow food, educate and create greater access to fresh produce. If your organization is interested in partnering with Bradley’s Homestead for Grow A Row in Spring 2027, we’d love to hear from you. Email us at BradleysHomestead@gmail.com about partnering with us.
Bradley's Homestead 