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 mixture, with zillions of earthworms and huge night-crawlers that like to creep out on top of the ground late at night. However, that's a totally different story for maybe another time.

Plant the honeysuckle roots at least three to six feet apart, dig a hole with a shovel as big as the depth and size of the root ball, or about ⅛ inch in depth for seeds. Plant alongside fencing, trellises, and or other structures because the vines need something sturdy to climb and wrap their vines around.

I use pine needles to cover the soil around the honeysuckle as a mulch, but you can use tree bark, wood shavings, cedar chips, etc. Water regularly and add fertilizer about once or twice a year.

The many uses of honeysuckle

Honeysuckle has been used throughout the years to help treat itchy skin, kill germs, treat cancerous tumors as well as other types of cancer, it's also used for birth control, bladder and urinary disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, indigestion, bacterial and viral infections, to help improve memory functions, lower sugar diabetes levels, treat the common cold and flu, along with many other medical conditions and even treating hot flashes.

Honeysuckle isn't just used for medicinal purposes its essential oil can also be mixed with water in a spray bottle and be used for cleaning bacteria/germs on surfaces such as countertops, toilets, sinks, and doorknobs, etc.

Honeysuckle blossoms can also be steeped in hot water to make a delicious and refreshing sweet tea. To get my tea recipe, you can read my article on making homemade honeysuckle sun tea.

Other uses for honeysuckle:

Are you interested in making more things with honeysuckle? Try making honeysuckle jelly, honeysuckle wine, honeysuckle simple syrup, and honeysuckle sorbet.

Resources:

Martinez Centelles, V. (2022). Honeysuckle toxicity. Retrieved 19 May 2022, from https://www.botanical-online.com/en/medicinal-plants/honeysuckle-toxicity

Cochran, A. (2022). Is Honeysuckle Poisonous?. Retrieved 19 May 2022, from https://homeguides.sfgate.com/honeysuckle-poisonious-57584.html

Scott, C. (2022). Medicinal Plant: Japanese Honeysuckle. Mason.gmu.edu. Retrieved 19 May 2022, from http://mason.gmu.edu/~cscottm/plants.html.

Healthy Immune Support with Honeysuckle Tea (Lonicera Japonica) - Bravo Tea. (2022). Retrieved 19 May 2022, from https://www.bravotea.com/healthy-immune-support-with-honeysuckle/

Oils, E., Oils, S., Uses, H., & Lawson, C. (2022). Honeysuckle Essential Oil Benefits and Uses. Retrieved 19 May 2022, from https://www.wellnessaromas.com/honeysuckle-essential-oil/#6_Major_Benefits_and_Uses_of_Honeysuckle_Essential_Oil

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© 2025 Olden Oasis

oldenoasis.blogspot.com

Planting Sweet Potatoes

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 in a good potting soil mixture. I do this by laying whole sweet potatoes a few inches apart in a container of soil. Basically, I am just laying the potatoes on top of the soil, then loosely adding just a little more soil around and on top of each one. Water as needed and keep the soil damp.

In about two to three weeks, the sweet potatoes will start sprouting greenery. The sprouts will grow out from the top of the sweet potatoes, and the roots will be growing underneath the sweet potatoes in the soil. The leafy green sprouts are what are known as the "slips."

annolyn

Once the slips have been established, you'll snip them off the sweet potato once they are about 6 inches long. At each of the nodes (the nodes are the part of the plant where there are one or more leaves, often with a slight swelling), one sweet potato slip will produce several sweet potato plants. 

Once you have sniped the best-looking slips off of the sweet potatoes, place the ends of the slips in a container of water. They will need to establish roots before they can be planted. Generally, within a few days, you'll start seeing roots grow. You'll need to change the slips' water when it's needed so that they will grow healthy roots.

Planting the sweet potato slips

Once the roots are well established, it's time to plant the slips. You can plant them in containers of potting soil or plant them directly in the ground in loose, loamy soil. The sweet potatoes will need good drainage, or they will rot. 

Transfer each slip with the root end down in a 4 inch-deep hole that is about 3 inches wide. Leaving a foot between each slip. Loosely and gently add soil around each slip. You'll need to plant the slips about three feet apart between rows. Sweet potatoes are vining plants, and they'll need plenty of space between each other to grow.

Now, water each slip generously. Then water daily for the first week. Then after that, water them every other day. You'll do this until the slips form into nice, hearty plants, then begin watering your plants once a week. Do this until it's time to harvest your bounty.

Harvest your sweet potatoes when the temperatures begin dipping down near 55 degrees F.

Curing sweet potatoes

Pull your sweet potatoes and allow them to lay out on the ground or on top of newspaper for about four hours to cure.

Next, place your sweet potatoes in a warm room for about two weeks. The temperature needs to be about 85 degrees F, and the humidity needs to be high. I keep mine inside my indoor greenhouse at this point.

After curing, store your sweet potatoes in a cool, dry area. Root cellars work well (if you have one).

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© 2025 Olden Oasis

oldenoasis.blogspot.com

Keeping Your Pets Safe During a Snow Storm

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 drafts.

During the Snow Storm

When the snow storm hits, here's what you can do to keep your pets safe:

Keep Them Inside

It's best to keep your pets indoors during a winter snow storm. The cold and snow can be dangerous for them, so make sure they have a warm place to stay.

Monitor Their Behavior

Keep an eye on your pets to make sure they're not showing signs of distress. If they seem anxious or uncomfortable, try to comfort them and keep them calm.

After the Winter Storm

Once the winter storm is over, here's how you can help your pets recover:

Clear a Path

Make sure there's a clear path for your pets to go outside to use the bathroom. Clear away any snow or ice that may be blocking their way.

Check for Injuries

After the winter storm, check your pets for any injuries or signs of frostbite. If you notice anything concerning, contact your veterinarian right away.

By following these tips, you can help keep your pets safe and comfortable during a winter storm. Stay warm and stay safe!

You can get other helpful pet tips at my other blog:

finickyfelinesandsmoochinpooches.blogspot.com

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© 2025 Olden Oasis

oldenoasis.blogspot.com

How to Grow Lentils in Hydroponic Trays

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 instructions on the package.

Planting lentils in hydroponic trays.

Step 2: Plant the Lentil Seeds

Place the lentil seeds evenly spaced on the tray, making sure they are submerged in the nutrient solution.

Step 3: Provide Adequate Light

If using grow lights, position them above the tray to provide enough light for the lentil plants to grow.

Lentils after one day are already sprouting.

Step 4: Monitor and Maintain

Check the nutrient levels regularly and top up the solution as needed. Make sure the lentil plants are growing well and adjust the light levels if necessary.

Lentils sprout after 3 days.

Step 5: Harvest the Lentils

Once the lentil plants have matured and produced pods, you can harvest the lentils and enjoy them in your favorite dishes!

Lentil sprouts after 5 to 6 days.

Note:

You can grow lentils successfully using only water without having to use the nutrient solution. Keep reading to find out how.

How to Grow Lentils Using Only Water

If you want to grow lentils without using any special nutrients, you can do it with just water!

Materials Needed:

• Lentil seeds

• Water

• Hydroponic trays

Steps:

1. Place your lentil seeds in the hydroponic trays.

2. Add water to cover the seeds completely.

3. Let the seeds soak for about 8 hours or overnight.

4. After soaking, drain the water. Just lift the top tray off first.

5. Rinse the seeds with fresh water and drain again.

6. Repeat rinsing and draining twice a day until you see sprouts forming.

7. Once the sprouts are about 1-2 inches long, your lentils are ready to eat!

Conclusion

By following these simple steps, you can grow your own lentils using only water. It's a fun and easy way to experience the joy of growing your own food!

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© 2025 Olden Oasis

oldenoasis.blogspot.com

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 needles, then wash them well under cold running water. After that, coarsely chop the pine needles with a knife, or you can cut them into small pieces with scissors.

 

You will need a tea ball or pre-made bags to place the cut pine needles in. You can use cheesecloth or clean pantyhose material to steep the pine needles in, but if you don't own any of these materials, use a small mesh strainer to place the pine needles in. The mesh strainer can be placed where only the bottom of it is in the water when you're steeping the pine needles.

 

Place 1 to 2 tablespoons of the prepared pine needles inside a tea ball, tea bag, or whatever else you have on hand that can be used.

 

In a saucepan or kettle, add water. (I add about 4 cups of water to my pan.) Place the pan or kettle on the burner and bring the water to a boil. Turn the burner off and pour the water into cups, then steep the prepared pine needles in the water. I also just steeped the pine needles in a mesh strainer over the pan of hot water. Making sure that the bottom of my mesh strainer is in the hot water and my pine needles are submerged.

 

Allow the pine needles to steep in the hot water for 15 minutes.

 

Add your preferred sweetener and stir in a squeeze of lemon (if you like lemon tea).

Preparing Pine Cone Tea:

First, wash the pine cones well in cool, running water.

 

In a saucepan, add water and place it on the burner. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then lower the heat to a slow simmer.

 

Now, you can either place the pine cones directly in the pan of water or you can use just the pine cone scales. Whichever way you decide is fine.

 

Steep the pine cone or the pine cone scales for several minutes. I generally allow 15 to 25 minutes. Turn the burner off after the first 5 minutes of steeping.

 

Next, remove the pine cones or pine cone scales from the tea.

Pour your tea into cups and add your preferred sweetener.

Note:

Avoid using pine needles and pine cones from Norfolk Island Pine, Ponderosa Pine, and Yew when making pine tea.

Do not drink pine needle or pine cone tea if you are allergic to pine or if you're taking warfarin, a prescription drug that is used to treat people who have issues with blood clotting.

If you're allergic to pine, some allergic reactions include nausea, discomfort in your throat, and diarrhea.

This article was written for educational purposes only. I recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products and any type of wild edibles, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking any type of prescription medication.

Resources:

Dluzen, B. (2022) Vitamin C is hiding in white pine needle tea, The Detroit News. Available at: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/life/home-garden/blogs/gardening/2022/01/25/white-pine-needle-tea-contains-large-amounts-natural-vitamin-c/9209783002/ (Accessed: 22 September 2023).

Firstmedincad (2022) How much vitamin C in Pine Needle Tea, First Med Inc. Available at: https://www.firstmedinc.com/how-much-vitamin-c-in-pine-needle-tea/ (Accessed: 22 September 2023).

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© 2025 Olden Oasis

oldenoasis.blogspot.com

Saving money one flush at time with a compostable toilet

Saving money one flush at time with a compostable toilet

Make sure that you have a compostable toilet when, or if, the crap hits the fan! Yes, that was an intentional pun! But in all seriousness, compostable toilets have come a long way since the olden times of stinky outhouses that were placed outside in the back forty from yesterday-years.

While numerous states are in heavy droughts and in desperate need of a fix, water is literally going down the drain as waste in homes. On the average, a human being uses about eighty to one-hundred and seventy-five gallons of water a day and close to half of that percent is from flushing the commode.

What is a compostable toilet?

A compostable toilet is a toilet system that collects human excrements then turns it into a natural rich compost. It can reduce a single household's water waste up to sixty percent or more.

So, in the long haul, compostable toilets save a lot of money on utility bills and save on how much water is used in communities too. 

A compostable toilet also has other benefits that could be a viable asset to homeowners and off-grid homesteaders, etc.. Because compostable toilets benefit in producing natural compost to fertilize the soil.

You could actually build a compostable toilet yourself for about forty-five dollars, that's if your state legally allows it. However, most states where it is legal require that you use NSF approved compostable toilets. The majority of NSF compostable toilets have a steep price close to two thousand dollars, but in the long run, it would more than pay for itself when considering how much money you'd save on water and sewage bills.

In Arkansas, compostable toilets are actually legal to own inside your home. However, they have to be NSF standard 41. Human waste excretions (from the compost) can be buried onsite. If your home also has running water, you'll need to have an approved method for getting rid of the gray water.

In Arkansas, it is actually legal to live off-grid if you want to do so. However, if you live in the state, or are thinking about moving here to live off-grid, there are certain loopholes within the state laws. It is actually illegal to have an DIY outhouse on your property, or build your own compostable toilet for your home, and that happens to be the case even if you're living off-grid miles away from civilization. While doing research, the compost toilets that I could find, which are legal in Arkansas, are the NSF 41 certified Sun-Mar. These toilets are approved for residential and off-grid living.

Off-grid living is legal in Arkansas. However, there are a few state laws which might make it illegal for you to go completely off-grid.

Three of the off-grid requirements (that I am aware of) are: 

• If you live near a municipal sewer system, you're required by Arkansas law to have your water and sewage hooked up (and require you to pay for it). You must have one flushable toilet inside your dwelling if you live near a municipal water and sewage system.

• You're also required to have a NSF certified outdoor toilet, or a NSF 41 certified compostable toilet installed in your dwelling, if you are considering living off-grid, or considering installing a compostable toilet in your home in town or city.

• It's also illegal to harvest rainwater in Arkansas, with the sole intent of using it for any other means other than for non-potable usages.

In addition to the Arkansas sewer and water laws, our state has many required rules and regulations when concerning which types of off-grid septic and water systems that are allowed, as well as how they're to be installed, and permit requirements. If you want to install a large rainwater harvesting system, recycle gray water or use something other than septic for waste, you will experience a lot of obstacles. For more information on this topic, please read my article, "Homesteading skills that you should know."

Note:

While looking up research on this topic for Arkansas, I found a lot of misleading information. Always check with your state and county beforehand. Because what is legal in one area may not be in another.

Resources:

Rodgers, T. (2012, September 8). Waterless toilets perfect selection for remote areas. Arkansas Online. https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2012/sep/08/waterless-toilets-perfect-selection-remot-20120908/#:~:text=In%20Arkansas%20only%20pre-manufactured,the%20Health%20Department%20are%20allowed.

NSF approved toilets (that can be used in homes in the state of Arkansas) can be purchased at Home Depot. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sun-Mar-Excel-Electric-Waterless-High-Capacity-Self-Contained-Composting-Toilet-in-White-EXCEL-white/203503054

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© 2025 Olden Oasis

oldenoasis.blogspot.com

Distilling water

Distilling water

If you're concerned about the PFAS that's in or may be in your tap water and want to learn a preventive way to truly clarify it, today I will walk you through how I distill water at home in my kitchen. I know it's extra work, but it's worth it. Of course, if you don't want to go through the process of distilling your own water, you can purchase it at grocery stores.

Why should you distill water?

Water distillation is an effective method of removing PFAS. In general, just boiling water will remove most bacteria and make the water safer to drink, but it will not remove PFAS.

Distilling water removes a host of bacteria, chemicals, and other impurities, but be aware that when you distill water, it removes more than 99.9 percent of the minerals from your water.

Instructions for distilling water at home:

To begin, fill a large stockpot halfway with water. Then tie a coffee cup to the pan's lid with some string. The cup will hang right side up inside the pot when the lid is put in place. Make sure the coffee cup is high enough inside the pan that it's not touching the water.

On high heat, bring the water to a boil. Allow the water to boil for twenty minutes. The water that drops from the lid into the coffee cup will be distilled and safe for you to drink. You're basically just collecting steam that’s been cooled and returned to a liquid state. The only things that are left in the cup of water after it's been distilled are hydrogen and oxygen.

Storing your distilled water

Place your distilled water in a food grade water container with a lid and place it in a dark place.

Resources:

Communications and Publishing (2023) TAP Water Study detects pfas ‘forever chemicals’ across the US: U.S. geological survey, Tap water study detects PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ across the US | U.S. Geological Survey. Available at: https://www.usgs.gov/news/national-news-release/tap-water-study-detects-pfas-forever-chemicals-across-us (Accessed: 09 July 2023).

PHILLIPS, A.M. (2019) Here’s what you can (and can’t) do about pfas contamination in your water, Los Angeles Times. Available at: https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2019-10-23/heres-what-you-can-and-cant-do-about-pfas-contamination-in-your-tap-water#:~:text=Common%20water%20pitcher%20brands%20like,concentration%20in%20your%20tap%20water. (Accessed: 09 July 2023).

Byrd, J. (2023) Does distilling water remove pfas, PFOA, PFOS?, WaterFilterGuru.com. Available at: https://waterfilterguru.com/does-distilling-water-remove-pfas/#:~:text=Distillation%20is%20a%20highly%20effective,distillation%20chamber%20when%20water%20evaporates. (Accessed: 09 July 2023).

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© 2025 Olden Oasis

oldenoasis.blogspot.com