Hollyhock Homestead

01/22/2026

Have you decided which perennials to winter sow yet?

Winter sowing is a simple way to start native perennials outdoors and let nature handle the timing. These plants benefit from cold stratification and grow into strong, resilient seedlings come spring.

Save this list and try winter sowing with pollinator-friendly favorites like coneflower, milkw**d, blazing star, goldenrod, and more—perfect for supporting bees, butterflies, and birds.

01/22/2026

01/20/2026

❤️

01/19/2026

Only 8 more Sundays until Spring!! 🙌🏼 🌸🌻🌼 not going to lie, when I realized this, I got really excited and have been telling people all day.

01/17/2026

Broadleaf plantain appears in yards, driveways, and compacted paths where nothing else survives—and gets dismissed as an eyesore. Yet this resilient plant has been called "nature's bandage" for centuries.

The leaves contain antibacterial compounds and natural anti-inflammatory agents. Crushed fresh leaves applied to bee stings, bug bites, or minor cuts can reduce pain and swelling within minutes. It's free first aid growing in plain sight.

Plantain also indicates compacted soil, serving as a diagnostic tool for gardeners. Where it thrives, aeration may be needed for other plants to succeed.

Before reaching for chemicals, consider that the "w**d" by your back door might be the most useful plant on your property.

01/16/2026

PLANT FOR POLLINATORS DAY 12
WILD BERGAMOT
Monarda fistulosa

Also known as Mint Leaf Bee Balm this perennial is an upright growing plant which spreads out. It has a lovely lavender blossom and distinctively aromatic foliage. Its sweet nectar is a favorite of butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. Mint Leaf Bee Balm is native to eastern North America and the plains, and it is easy to grow from flower seeds and it multiplies quickly.

Monarda Fistulosa Bergamot can be found naturally along riverbanks and enjoys this rich, organic, moist soil. However, it will grow in average soil as well. Full sun is best, but light shade is tolerated. Mintleaf Bee Balm plants tend to spread more quickly in the shade. Most Monarda herbs multiply rapidly either by underground stems or freely sowing their own flower seed. In order to keep plants healthy and vigorous, they should be divided at least every three years in the spring. Deadheading spent blooms will prolong the bloom time. Powdery mildew is a common fungal problem with Wild Bergamot herb plants. To prevent this fungus from appearing, large clumps should be thinned out so that the air circulates freely around them. The soil should also be kept consistently moist; dry soil promotes powdery mildew.

01/15/2026

January is pruning month as the trees are dormant or in some cases nearly dormant. This is the perfect time to safely prune for good summer fruit production or encourage healthy growth from an ornamental.

Different trees require different pruning techniques so do your homework before embarking.

Do not top. It causes more problems than it solves

Do not uses wound dressings, your tree can heal itself and some dressings encourage rot and fungal issues. Instead cut better

Sanitize your tools between trees as this helps reduce the spread of disease

Remove dead and dying branches as well as weak and rubbing branches promotes overall tree health.

Removing interior branches encourages airflow and helps reduce pathogens. It also encourages better fruiting

I’ll be pruning this month and posting how to videos here as well as some of my espaliering techniques



01/14/2026

We wish bountiful harvests to you and yours and for ourselves this year in 2026.

2025 was spent growing a tiny human who is now 6 months old and thriving. The garden grew, mostly w**ds and volunteers, and the chickens feasted all season long providing nutrient dense eggs to us and a few other families. As the wheel turns into another garden season I’m anxiously anticipating all the growth that’s going to happen. Little feet that can’t even crawl will be walking by the end of this season. It was a year of blessings and gratitude and a slower pace. I can’t wait to see what this season brings us.

01/12/2026

Your onions aren't getting bigger because you're being too nice to them. The secret is actually giving your seedlings a haircut—sounds weird, but this "topping" technique redirects all that energy into building stronger roots and eventually bigger bulbs. I'm talking about trimming them multiple times before planting, and yes, you can eat those trimmings like scallions. [KXNdZ]

01/07/2026

Your Backyard’s Secret Pest Control Team 🌱🦉

At first glance, you might just see a few cute animals.
In reality? You’re looking at a free, 24/7 pest control crew.
The only catch… they only work if we stop poisoning them 😬

Here’s the natural pest squad and what they really do 👇

1️⃣ The Owl
Rodent control expert. One owl family can eat thousands of mice in a season.
Common mistake: using rat poison. The owl eats the poisoned mouse… and dies too.

2️⃣ The Frog
Mosquito and insect patrol. Frogs eat huge numbers of bugs every year.
Problem: lawn chemicals. Their skin absorbs toxins like a sponge.

3️⃣ The Dragonfly
Flying mosquito hunter. They catch insects mid-air with scary precision.
Oops moment: poisoning ponds. That kills baby dragonflies before they can help.

4️⃣ The Jumping Spider
Housefly assassin. No webs, just pure hunting skills.
Fun fact: spiders are the top insect controllers on Earth. Yes, really.

5️⃣ The Opossum
Nature’s cleanup crew. Eats carrion, slugs, cockroaches, and leftovers that attract pests.
Less mess = fewer pests hanging around.

6️⃣ The Chickadee
Caterpillar vacuum. One nest of babies requires thousands of insects.
Spray the bugs… and the birds go hungry.

7️⃣ The big takeaway
When chemicals kill the helpers, pests come back stronger.
A healthy yard controls itself 🌱

Sometimes the best solution isn’t spraying more — it’s letting nature do its job.