Magnolias and Oaks Homestead

Welcome to Magnolias and Oaks!  My name is Michelle and I am a retired counselor and full-time caregiver, and  I am passionate about growing and producing  our own food.  My goal is to grow a beautiful garden that feeds me and my family year-round.

I live in the West Central Florida area in Zone 9b - a subtropical environment.  I started a raised-bed garden in 2021 and now have a total of eight beds in my small, suburban backyard.  Living in a subdivision has its limitations, for sure, and requires some creative working-around.  There are many self-sufficient things we can do, such as preserving food (canning, dehydrating, freeze drying) and decreasing reliance on store-bought food. We can also prepare for disasters such as hurricanes, power-outages, flooding, and more, preventing disruption to the lives of those I care for.  

Here, I talk about gardening, food preservation, baking bread, and non-toxic living.  Be sure to subscribe to be notified of videos.