There are moments on the homestead when you feel like you’re standing on the edge of something you’ve been working toward for a very long time. This is one of those moments for us at J & J Homestead.

After weeks of snow, ice, and soggy Virginia clay, the ground has finally dried out enough for us to move forward with one of our biggest goals this year: opening our farmstand.

The Farmstand Parking Area Is In

When we first started planning the farmstand layout, we priced out gravel for the parking area and foundation. The reality? It was simply too expensive for the size space we needed.

So we pivoted.

Instead of gravel, we chose asphalt millings as a more budget-friendly and durable option. This week, the millings were finally delivered and spread across the future farmstand and parking area. In the photo, you can see half of the millings down already — and the tractor is sitting exactly where the farmstand building will go.

That tractor spot? That’s the future heart of our farm.

It’s hard to describe the feeling of seeing physical progress after so many weather delays. For months, this was just a plan on paper. Now, it’s real ground, real material, real momentum.

For anyone researching how to build a farmstand or small farm parking area, millings are worth considering as a cost-effective alternative to gravel. They compact well, create a stable surface, and help keep mud under control — which is especially important during wet Virginia springs.

The Shed Delivery Is Next

As exciting as getting the millings down feels, the next milestone is right around the corner. On Tuesday, the shed we’ll be converting into our farmstand will be delivered.

And while it might sound like a moment to pause and celebrate, it’s actually the beginning of the next sprint.

Once the building arrives, we’ll need to paint the interior walls, prepare and seal the floor, and install shelving. We’ll be mapping out product placement for eggs, honey, seedlings, and eventually baked goods under Virginia’s Cottage Food guidelines.

There is still so much to do.

But this time, it feels different. We’re no longer waiting on weather or deliveries. We’re moving.

Greenhouse Update: Seedlings Are Popping

While the farmstand infrastructure is taking shape outside, the greenhouse is quietly working its magic.

This week, we’ve seen germination from lavender, cabbage, beets, chard, and lettuce. There’s nothing quite like walking into the greenhouse and seeing those first green loops pushing through the soil. It’s one of the most hopeful sights in homesteading.

Seed starting is always a leap of faith. You prepare the trays, mix the soil, press in the seeds, water gently — and then you wait. When those tiny leaves appear, it feels like a promise that spring is on its way.

This week we’re moving into the next phase: sowing our tomato and pepper varieties. That means dozens of trays, careful labeling, and a watchful eye on temperature and moisture. Tomatoes and peppers are foundational crops for us — both for our own kitchen and for selling at the farmstand.

Every tray we plant now is one step closer to opening day.

Getting Closer to the Dream

If you’ve been following along with our journey at J & J Homestead, you know that the farmstand has been a long-term goal. It represents more than just a structure. It’s a tangible expression of everything we’re building here — the chickens, the bees, the greenhouse, the garden, and the community around it.

The snow delays were frustrating. The mud was discouraging. The cost calculations forced hard decisions.

But this week feels like momentum.

The millings are down.
The building is coming.
The seedlings are sprouting.
The tomatoes and peppers are next.

We’re not resting — we’re accelerating.

And we couldn’t be more excited.

If you’re building your own homestead dream, take this as encouragement: progress doesn’t always happen quickly, but when it starts to move, it moves fast. Keep planting. Keep planning. Keep adjusting.

We’re getting closer.