There are seasons on the homestead where everything seems to move at once—and right now, we are in the middle of one of those beautiful, chaotic, deeply rewarding seasons. If you’ve ever wondered what spring truly looks like on a working homestead, this is it. From bees to broilers, turkeys to tomatoes, and the farmstand coming back to life—every corner of J & J Homestead is buzzing with activity.
A New Hive Begins: Catching a Bee Swarm
Just two days ago, Jason successfully caught a bee swarm—one of the most exciting (and slightly nerve-wracking) moments in beekeeping. A swarm is essentially a colony on the move, searching for a new home. Capturing one gives you a strong, naturally selected group of bees ready to build and thrive.
We were able to get the swarm settled into its new hive quickly, which is key. The sooner they feel at home, the faster they begin drawing comb, establishing a queen’s laying pattern, and contributing to the overall health of the apiary.
For us, this wasn’t just about adding another hive—it was about continuing the cycle of growth and sustainability that makes beekeeping such a rewarding part of the homestead.
Growing the Flock: Cornish Cross Chicks Arrive
We also made a quick trip to Tractor Supply Company and brought home six additional Cornish Cross chicks. These birds will help supplement our upcoming June harvest, ensuring we have enough to meet our needs.
Cornish Cross chickens are known for their rapid growth and efficient feed conversion, making them a popular choice for homesteaders raising their own meat birds. Adding a few more to the flock gives us flexibility—and a bit of a buffer—as we move toward processing season.
Right now, they’re settling into the brooder, staying warm under the radiant heat plate, and getting a strong start with quality feed and clean water.
Turkey Introductions: Tommy Meets the Hens
One of the biggest milestones this week has been introducing our young tom turkey, Tommy, to some of the hens—and we couldn’t have asked for it to go better.
Turkey introductions can be unpredictable. There’s always a balance between curiosity, dominance, and acceptance. But by taking it slow and allowing for a controlled introduction, we’ve seen positive interactions and minimal stress across the group.
Watching Tommy begin to integrate into the flock has been incredibly rewarding. It’s another step toward a more established and balanced homestead ecosystem.
The Garden Is Finally Ready
After weeks of planning, planting, and a whole lot of patience with unpredictable Virginia weather, the garden is finally in place.
From seedlings started in the greenhouse to carefully laid-out beds, everything is now planted and ready to grow. This is always one of the most satisfying milestones of the season—the moment when preparation turns into anticipation.
Now comes the daily rhythm of watering, watching, and waiting as those small plants begin to transform into the food that will stock both our kitchen and our farmstand.
Farmstand Opening: The Season Begins Again
And finally—after all the preparation—we are getting ready to open the farmstand tomorrow.
There’s something special about this moment each week. The shelves are stocked, the baked goods are prepared, the eggs are collected, and everything is ready to share with our community.
Our farmstand represents more than just products—it’s a connection point. It’s where neighbors support local food, where conversations happen, and where the hard work of the homestead meets the people it’s meant to serve.
When Everything Happens at Once
If there’s one thing this week has reminded us, it’s that homesteading doesn’t happen in neat, orderly steps. It comes in waves—busy, beautiful, sometimes overwhelming waves where everything demands attention at once.
But these are the moments that make it all worthwhile.
From the hum of a newly captured hive to the quiet rustle of chicks settling in for the night, from the first signs of growth in the garden to the excitement of opening day at the farmstand—this is what it means to build a life rooted in purpose.
And right now, that life is in full swing.
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