Olden Oasis

Image by Gin Lee Snow Storm at Olden Oasis Homestead January 9-10th, 2025 Greetings from the winter wonderland that is our homestead! Princess (featured in the photo collage above) is absolutely loving the snowy scene. As of now, we've accumulated about 5 to 6 inches of the chilly white stuff. The snow is still falling, and the temperature feels like a brisk 26 degrees. It's not as bone-chilling as it has been all week, but it's still too cold for this southern belle! Brrr! ❄️☃️⛄❄️☃️⛄❄️ I'm thankful that we dodged any ice with this winter weather. Apparently, this is the most snow Arkansas has seen in over 17 years. That's a pretty big deal! Am I going to whip up some snow ice cream? You bet! But first, I need to thaw out before venturing back outside. And remember, folks, steer clear of any yellow snow if you plan on indulging in a frozen treat! 🤪🤣😆😂 © 2025 Olden Oasis oldenoasis.blogspot.com

Growing honeysuckle and its uses Honeysuckle can be found in a variety of locations and there are around two hundred different varieties of it. The plant has a perennial woody vine and is easy to grow; however, it needs to be pruned often.  I have Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) growing as a privacy fence and also on trellises in my yard. In my honest opinion, I don't believe there's anything that can compare to the sweet subtle fragrance of it.  Besides the fact that it has a beautiful fragrance, Japanese honeysuckle is also used as a medicinal plant. How to grow honeysuckle Honeysuckle prefers to be grown in sunny locations, but the woody vines will do well in partially shaded areas too. The plant also seems to have a heat tolerance, because it grows quite well in the state of Arkansas. The best time to plant honeysuckle is in the spring and fall seasons. It can be grown in planting zones 4-9. Honeysuckle needs to be planted in well-drained soil. My soil is a rich m...

Planting sweet potatoes We are nearing the end of April, the perfect time to plant sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes (Ipomea batatas) are a root vegetable that's native to Central and South America. They thrive in the heat and humidity because they are tropical plants. In actuality, sweet potatoes are not part of the potato family. They are part of the morning glory. The part of a sweet potato plant that we harvest is a tuberous root. There are several different varieties of sweet potatoes that you can grow, but today I will be planting Centennial sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes don’t start from a seed like the majority of other vegetables do. Instead, they grow from what are referred to as “slips." Slips are the green shoots that sprout from the tops of a sweet potato.  Planting your sweet potatoes to grow slips You can place a sweet potato in a glass or jar of water or lay it directly in a container of dirt (as I am doing here today). I prefer starting my sweet potatoes directly...

Image by Matthias Gabriel from Pixabay Keeping Your Pets Safe During a Snow Storm Hello fellow homesteaders! As we gear up for an impending snow storm, it's crucial to ensure the safety of our furry friends at home. Our region, nestled in the deep south, is currently under a winter storm warning, with forecasts predicting a snowfall of 4 to 6 inches starting tomorrow and lasting through the weekend. This amount of snow may seem like a mere dusting to our northern neighbors, but for us southerners, it's quite the event. Snow is a rare sight in my neck of the woods. To help you get ready, here are some tips to keep your pets safe and sound: Gather Supplies Make sure you have enough food, water, and any medications your pet may need to last a few days. It's also a good idea to have extra blankets and toys to keep them comfortable. Create a Safe Space Set up a cozy area in your home where your pet can stay warm and dry during the storm. Make sure it's away from windows and...

How to Grow Lentils in Hydroponic Trays Introduction Lentils are a nutritious and delicious legume that can easily be grown in hydroponic trays. Hydroponic gardening is a method of growing plants without soil, using nutrient-rich water instead. In this article, we will discuss the steps on how to grow lentils in hydroponic trays with nutrient solution and without it using only water. Materials Needed To grow lentils in hydroponic trays, you will need the following materials: Hydroponic trays Hydroponic trays that will hold the lentils and nutrient solution. Lentil seeds Make sure to use high-quality lentil seeds for the best results. Nutrient solution A mix of water and nutrient solution that will feed the lentil plants. Grow lights Since lentils need plenty of light to grow, you will need grow lights if you don't have access to natural sunlight. Steps to Grow Lentils Step 1: Prepare the Hydroponic Tray Fill the hydroponic tray with the nutrient solution according to the instru...

Pine Needle and Pine Cone Tea What do pine needles and pine cone tea taste like? Well, in my opinion, it tastes somewhat bitter without adding sweetener. It's earthy and piney, and of course, it smells like you're steeping a pine tree. Pine tea is loaded with vitamin C, and it's the perfect drink for cold and flu season. However, avoid using pine needles and pine cones from Norfolk Island Pine, Ponderosa Pine, and Yew. These pine varieties are toxic. If you don’t have access to green pine needles, you can use dried pine needles to prepare pine tea. In fact, if you were to buy pine tea, you'd find that the pine needles in the tea bags are dried. So, there's no big difference between collecting dried pine needles or buying them already dried. Dried pine needles contain higher amounts of vitamin C than green pine needles. However, if you prefer a milder tea, you would probably prefer using green pine needles.   To prepare pine needle tea, first collect some pine needle...