This is how I’m starting sweet potatoes this year. 🥔 I like to begin about 2 months before planting time so I’ve got strong, healthy slips ready when the soil finally warms up. Nothing fancy — just suspending them in water and letting them wake back up. Roots push first. Then the shoots start climbing. It’s pretty cool to watch. One thing I make sure to do: change the water every few days. 💧Fresh water keeps it from getting funky and helps prevent rot. If it starts getting cloudy the sweet potato is rotting. By planting time, I’ll twist off the slips and they’ll be ready for the ground. Anyone else starting theirs early this year? Or do you plant straight from slips?

I never expected my next garden to start with a diagnosis. A few months ago, my dad was told he has stage 3 gastric cancer — a sentence that hits like a shovel to the gut. Since then, he’s been going through chemo to try to shrink it. The days are long, and the side effects are no joke. But through it all, he said something that changed everything: “I think I want to start a garden here.” That moment stopped me. It wasn’t just about planting seeds… it was about planting hope. So this is where our new chapter begins — a healing garden in my dad’s yard. A space where every shovel of soil, every tiny sprout, and every harvest will mean something more. I’ll be sharing the process here — not just how we build the garden, but what we plant and why. We’ll focus on foods that are gentle on digestion, herbs that support the body during recovery, and flowers that lift the spirit when chemo days feel endless. 🌼 This isn’t just about growing food — it’s about growing resilience. About finding peace in the soil when life feels out of control. If you’ve ever watched someone fight cancer… or if you’ve used gardening as your own kind of therapy… I’d love to hear from you. 💬 Maybe this Skool community can become more than a space for homesteading — maybe it can be where healing, hope, and hands in the dirt all meet. Stay rooted, Brian 💬 Join the Conversation What would you plant in a healing garden? 🌿Something soothing like chamomile or lemon balm? Or a hardy veggie that symbolizes strength?

🌱 Welcome to Sprouted Rooted Recipes 🌱 Hey there, fellow grower! I’m so glad you found your way here. This little corner is where dirt-under-the-nails gardeners and homestead dreamers can connect, swap stories, and cheer each other on. My hope is simple: that this space feels like a friendly garden gate you can lean on—where we talk seedlings, soil, and all the wild experiments that make gardening fun. 🌻 👉 Take a second to introduce yourself! - Where are you gardening (state or zone)? - What’s your favorite plant (or one you’ve always wanted to grow)? - What brought you to this community? Don’t be shy—this group is all about learning together. No matter your level, your voice matters here. Pull up a chair (or a trowel) and let’s grow something amazing together. 🌿 Brian - Sprouting Homestead 🌼 Community Roots (Rules) 🌼 Every healthy garden has boundaries, and this one’s no different. Here’s how we keep our soil rich: 1. Respect each other 🌎 – Kindness first, always. 2. No spam or hard selling 🚫 – This is a safe place to share, not a marketplace. 3. Questions are gold 💡 – There’s no “too basic” here. If you’re wondering, someone else is too. 4. Share your own story 🌱 – Wins, fails, experiments—all welcome. 5. Help each other grow 🤝 – Encourage, support, and pass along the tips you’ve learned. If we stick to these simple roots, this space will thrive like a well-mulched garden bed.