Welcome to Sumner Acre — a cozy corner of the internet where faith meets farming, and the goats have big personalities. We’re a young couple homesteading on one wild acre off the Santa Fe Trail, sharing real stories, farm tips, animal chaos, and devotionals from the barn. Whether you're here to learn or laugh, you’re right where you belong. 🌿🐐💛
How to Roast Garlic Without Foil (The Muffin Tin Hack!)
Need roasted garlic for dinner but out of foil? Don’t panic — Sumner Acre has your back with this super easy, no-foil garlic roasting method using just two muffin tins. It’s fast, simple, and results in sweet, golden garlic every time.
🌿 What You Need:
Any amount of whole garlic heads you want to roast
1 teaspoon of olive oil per head
2 muffin tins (standard size)
🍴 Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Slice each garlic head in half horizontally (so you expose the cloves).
Place each half cut-side up into separate muffin tin cups.
Drizzle about 1 tsp of olive oil over each garlic head, rubbing it lightly into the cloves.
Place the second muffin tin upside down on top of the first to form a "lid."
Roast in the oven for 30–40 minutes, or until the garlic is soft and golden brown.
Let cool slightly, then squeeze the roasted cloves out and use in recipes, on bread, or eat straight off the spoon (no judgment).
💡 Tip: This is the perfect prep step for our Roasted Garlic Focaccia or to stir into homemade butter, mashed potatoes, or salad dressings.
Let me know if you try it — tag me @sumneracre on Instagram or leave a comment below. (click my user name to be taken to Instagram!)
As the leaves turn golden and the crispness in the air settles in, the hustle on our Kansas homestead takes on a new urgency. Morning chores now come with the bite of cold, signaling that fall has truly arrived. This year, we’re especially focused on staying ahead of the game with preparations. With a few new faces joining the farm family, every step matters to ensure everyone stays safe and cozy. Join us as we share our strategies for getting ready to face the winter season and how we’re keeping our homestead one step ahead of the cold snap.
Harvest Wrap-Up and Garden Clean-Up
As the summer growing season winds down, we’ve been busy gathering up the last of our harvest. We picked the final three cucumbers, an assortment of colorful peppers, and a few pumpkins and dumpling squashes. Closing up the garden for the colder months is always a bit bittersweet, but there’s a sense of relief, too, knowing the garden gets a rest—and so do we. With the harvest done, I opened the garden gates and let the chickens take over for their final clean-up duties. They’ll peck through the remnants, helping clear out any lingering pests and debris. Once everything turns brown and brittle, I’ll pull out the plants to compost or burn, officially tucking the garden in for winter.
Prepping the Animal Shelters and Making Winter Adjustments
Our animals are the heart of our homestead, so preparing their shelters for the cold is always a top priority. We started by cleaning out the chicken coop, duck house, and goat shelters, replacing old bedding with fresh material. The chickens enjoy the benefits of the deep litter method on their cement flooring, which helps insulate and keeps them cozy. The ducks, housed in an old storage shed, are messy as ever, so we replace their shavings often and will add straw soon for extra warmth. Our goats have two shelters—a walk-in shed and a repurposed dog house—both of which we refreshed with new bedding and will layer with straw for added fluff.
For our mare, Vegas, we made a temporary adjustment. Her stock tank has been leaking, so we’ve set up large containers for her water supply until we can reseal or replace the tank. Additionally, this year we took a new step in preparing for spring: we banded our Ancona ducks. After our last hatch in August, we identified and banded the males for our future breeding program, making it easier to sort them for either new homes or the freezer here in the next couple weeks. These preparations ensure that all our animals are ready to face the chill ahead as well as responsible animal husbandry!
Winterizing the Water Supply
Water is a necessity year-round, but it becomes even more crucial as winter approaches—especially for our animals like our mare, Vegas. Recently, her stock tank has developed a steady leak, so we’re making it a priority to repair it before it’s time to add water heaters for the colder months. For now, we’ve drained the tank and replaced it with smaller containers that hold enough water to keep her hydrated throughout the day. Once we got the leak fixed...spoiler alert...it didnt fix so...theres that, but for now we put the plug heater in we just have a leak at the seam till we can get a new one.
Preparing Our Mama Bear Fisher Wood Stove for Winter
As the chilly winds begin to blow and the first hints of frost touch our homestead, it's time to turn our attention to our lifeline for warmth: the Mama Bear Fisher wood stove. This trusty stove not only heats our home but also brings a sense of comfort and coziness to our small sanctuary. Cleaning it up for the cold months is a ritual that we take seriously. We carefully remove the ash, inspect the stove pipe for any blockages while using our handy drill powered chimney sweeper, and give the exterior a good scrub and polish, ensuring it’s ready to provide us with reliable heat during the long winter nights. Using our kindling cracker tool we gather lots of kindling and store it in a chest on the porch with our wood we stacked. With a well-maintained stove, we can embrace the season, knowing that our home will be warm and inviting, even as the temperatures drop outside. Even if I complain about it being to hot in the house to my husband it definetly gives peace of mind knowing we have warmth for us and if we loose power we still have that and are able to cook on the wood stove if need be (which is so fun).
Wrap Up Recap
As we wrap up our preparations, there’s a comforting sense of readiness on the homestead. We’ve secured our garden, prepped the animal shelters, and made adjustments to our water setup, and finally prepped the wood stove, all with the goal of staying a step ahead of winter’s chill. It’s always a bit of work, but knowing that our farm family will be safe and cozy through the season makes it worthwhile. With each winter we face, we grow a little more seasoned, a little more resilient. Thanks for joining us on this journey—here’s to a warm and well-prepared season ahead!
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The Beginner’s Guide to Starting Seeds Indoors Starting seeds indoors might seem overwhelming at first, but once you dig in (pun intended!), it becomes one of the most rewarding skills you can learn. Whether you’re growing food for self-sufficiency or just want to fill your home with beautiful plants, this guide will walk you through the process in the simplest way possible.
Why Start Seeds Indoors? If you’ve ever gone to a garden center only to find limited seedling options or overpriced plants, you’ll appreciate the benefits of starting your own seeds at home. By growing from seed, you can: ✅ Save money in the long run ✅ Grow rare or heirloom varieties not found in stores ✅ Control the health and quality of your plants ✅ Get a head start on the growing season What You’ll Learn in This Guide 1. Choosing the Right Seeds 2. Essential Tools & Supplies 3. The Best Grow Lights for Success 4. Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Seeds 5. Caring for Seedlings & Transplanting ________________________________________ 1. Choosing the Right Seeds The best seeds to start indoors depend on what you plan to grow and where you’ll be planting them. Consider these factors: Heirloom vs. Hybrid Seeds • Heirloom Seeds – Open-pollinated and passed down for generations. You can save seeds from these plants for next season. (Recommended!) • Hybrid Seeds – Created by cross-breeding plants for specific traits, but their seeds don’t reliably grow true to type. Where to Buy Quality Seeds Here are my go-to sources for high-quality seeds:
*click the underlined words to check out the items i use! or you can check out the full Amazon List here- Seed Storage/Seed Starting Essentials To set yourself up for success, you’ll need a few key items:
✅ Grow Shelf or Cart- This isnt completely necessary to have but it DOES make it a lot easier to mount your lights and have a designated spot for your growing. Out of growing season we take our cart down and store it away in the garage.
✅ Seed Trays or Containers – I recommend using a Garden Propagator Set (mini greenhouse) to keep humidity levels stable. If you’re on a budget, red solo cups with drainage holes work too! ✅ Seed-Starting Mix – Avoid heavy garden soil. Use a lightweight mix like: • Burpee Organic Seed Starting Mix • Jiffy Organic Seed Starting Mix ✅ Watering Tools – Use a spray bottle to mist seeds without overwhelming them. Once seedlings sprout, water from the bottom by placing a little water in the seed tray. ✅ Grow Lights – Regular light bulbs won’t cut it! Use LED shop lights with these specs: • 2000-3000 Lumens • 5000K Color Temperature (Bright White) 💡 Tip: Don’t feel like you have to have the “Fancy” purple grow lights—they strain the eyes and aren’t necessary for seed starting. I have NEVER used them for the many years of seed starting I have done. We bought shop lights with those specs from Menards and i found you ones similar that are on amazon!! ✅ Reflective Foil Insulation – Wrapping your grow cart in this helps keep light contained and provides warmth for your plants. This is not a "YOU HAVE TO HAVE THIS" thing, but if you have them in a drafty and cooler area (our house is pretty cool normally) this just ensures your warmth is not escaping. ✅ Plant Markers – Label your plants with waterproof markers or popsicle sticks to keep track of different varieties. ✅ Clyde’s Garden Planner – A fantastic tool to determine when to start seeds based on your last frost date. I have used this planner for many years and have had to buy second and 3rds because i tend to lose them (dont be like me) ________________________________________ 3. The Best Grow Lights for Success A common question: Can I use a regular light bulb to grow plants? The answer: No—at least not effectively. Plants need full-spectrum lighting that mimics natural sunlight. ✅ Best Budget Option: LED Shop Lights (2500 lumens, 5000K color temperature) ✅ Alternative: Full-spectrum grow lights (though pricier, they work great!) 💡 Position your grow lights 2-4 inches above seedlings and adjust as they grow. ________________________________________ 4. Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Seeds Step 1: Pick What You’re Planting Check your growing zone and last frost date to determine what to start indoors. Step 2: Fill Your Seed Trays 1. Add seed-starting mix to each cell or container. 2. Lightly pack the soil to remove air pockets. 3. Mist with water before planting. Step 3: Plant Your Seeds 1. Check the seed packet for proper planting depth. 2. Use a skewer or finger to make small holes. 3. Drop in seeds and lightly cover them with soil. 4. Label each tray with plant markers. Step 4: Water & Cover 1. Lightly mist the soil after planting. 2. Cover with a clear lid to create a mini greenhouse effect.
Step 5: Provide Light & Warmth 1. Place your trays under grow lights 💡 I like to keep my grow lights on 24/7 till they move to a bigger cup. Then I start their “day & night” cycle. If you have a multi-tier cart or shelf like me and some things might grow after than others, I sometimes don’t worry about day and night OR I just shut that designated light off for that shelf for the ones that are ready. (don’t feel like you must do this though…I’m just extra)
2. Keep temperatures between 65-75°F. ________________________________________ 5. Caring for Seedlings & Transplanting Once They Sprout: Remove the Lid! When seedlings emerge, remove the humidity dome to prevent mold growth. Watering Routine • Mist seedlings daily but don’t overwater. • Once they’re a bit bigger, water from the bottom by adding water to the seed tray. Transplanting to Larger Containers When seedlings outgrow their trays, move them to bigger containers (like red solo cups with drainage holes).
Hardening Off: Getting Them Ready for the Outdoors Before moving plants outside permanently, they need to adjust: 1. Day 1-3: Place them outdoors in shade for 1-2 hours. 2. Day 4-6: Gradually increase sunlight exposure. 3. Day 7+: Leave them outside longer, bringing them in at night. Once your plants are strong enough, it’s time to plant them in their final home—whether it’s in your garden, greenhouse, or an indoor setup. ________________________________________ Final Thoughts: Grow with Confidence! Starting seeds indoors isn’t as hard as it seems—you just need the right setup (it doesn’t have to be expensive or fancy) and a little patience. Before you know it, you’ll have a thriving garden full of home-grown plants! 📌 Check out the full list of items i mentioned here on Amazon: Seed Storage/Seed Starting Essentials List 💬 Got questions? Drop them in the comments or reach out—I’d love to help! Happy planting! 🌱 💡 If you are a visual learner stay tuned to our YouTube channel for a video showing this process of planting and vlogs updating through growing season!
