Create your own from scratch or purchase dehydrated or active starter from our Etsy ([https://www.etsy.com/shop/MothersLoveHomestead](https://www.etsy.com/shop/MothersLoveHomestead) This short course walks you step-by-step through building or reviving a starter and knowing when it’s truly ready.Your goal: a starter that reliably doubles and is ready to bake with. When you think it’s ready, post in Starter Check for confirmation—then move to Course 2.

Welcome to the main bootcamp. This course assumes you already have an active starter. If you don’t, go back and complete Course 1: Active Starter Bootcamp first. Do this next: Read the roadmap + how self-paced works Gather tools + ingredients Watch Lesson 1: Tools + Setup Post your goal (and your starter peak time) in the community

Course 2: Dough Day turns your active starter into real dough with a simple, repeatable process. You’ll learn when to use your starter, how to mix and strengthen dough, and how to read bulk fermentation by feel and visual cues (not guesswork). We’ll cover shaping basics and setting your loaf up for a strong rise and better crumb—so you can bake with confidence.

Learn how to shape your dough with confidence, build surface tension, and set your loaf up for a beautiful rise. You’ll know when bulk fermentation is done, how to proof without guessing, and how to use the fridge for better flavor and easier scoring. By the end, you’ll have a simple, repeatable routine for shaping and proofing consistent loaves.

Course 5: Score, Bake & Troubleshoot is your Dutch oven confidence course. You’ll learn how to score with purpose, bake with a simple 500° preheat → 450° method (30 min lid on/15 off), and know exactly when your loaf is done (200°F). Plus, we’ll diagnose the most common issues—dense, flat, blowouts, pale crust, burnt bottoms—so you can fix your next loaf fast.

The Troubleshooting Vault is your go-to library for fixing sourdough problems fast. Search by symptom (dense, gummy, flat, blowouts, pale crust, burnt bottom, tunnels, sticky dough, weak starter, timing issues) and get the likely cause + the exact next tweak to make. Built for Dutch oven bakers and beginner-friendly, with simple checks you can repeat every bake.