Blue Grass Bend, LLC

07/09/2025

🌼 BGB Featured Flower: The Black-Eyed Susan! 🌼

There’s nothing quite like the bold pop of gold from a blooming Black-Eyed Susan dancing in the summer breeze here at Blue Grass Bend! These sunny, daisy-like blooms with their deep brown centers are not only beautiful, they’re hardy, pollinator-friendly, and practically made for Iowa gardens.

🌻 Fun Facts
• Black-Eyed Susans are native to North America and have been brightening up prairies and homesteads for centuries.
• They symbolize encouragement and motivation, which fits a flower that thrives in tough conditions.
• Bees, butterflies, and even birds love them, making them a pollinator powerhouse.

🌱 Growing Tips
• Full sun is best because they love basking in the light.
• Plant in well-draining soil and they’ll reward you with blooms from mid-summer into fall.
• Once established, they’re drought-tolerant and low-maintenance. That’s just how we like it on the homestead.

Whether tucked into flower beds or lining a garden path, Black-Eyed Susans bring that wild and wonderful beauty we cherish at Blue Grass Bend. Have they started blooming where you are?

🌻

07/05/2025

We have hay!! 40 bales of 1st cutting grass mix, tight packed. Not rained on, stored covered. Will help load. $6/bale. Text 563-320-2304 to set up pickup time. Located in Blue Grass.

07/04/2025

🎆 Happy Fourth of July from all of us at Blue Grass Bend! 🇺🇸

Today we celebrate our nation’s independence the Iowa way, surrounded by hometown parades, proud FFA floats, the American Legion marching strong, tractors rolling down the street, music in the park, picnic tables full of good food, and fireworks lighting up the wide open sky.

Here’s to freedom, community, and the simple joys of small-town life.
God Bless America!

07/03/2025

🌽 Knee High By The Fourth of July! That’s the sweet corn tradition we count on every summer here at Blue Grass Bend. From planting in rich Iowa soil to sharing buttery ears at harvest, growing backyard sweet corn is a summer staple we look forward to every year. 🌞🌽

Check out our latest homestead blog to see how we grow it, why we love it, and how you can bring this golden goodness to your own backyard garden.

https://www.bluegrassbend.com/bgb-blog/backyard-sweet-corn-summer-gold-at-blue-grass-bend

Grow backyard sweet corn like we do at Blue Grass Bend: knee high by the Fourth of July and full of sweet summer flavor straight from Iowa soil.

06/27/2025

🌞💦 Heat + Humidity = Garden Growth! 🌿🍅
It’s been a hot and sticky stretch here at Blue Grass Bend, and while we may be melting a little, the garden is thriving under this Midwest summer heat! 🌽🍉

The humidity might have our hair frizzing and our shirts sticking, but the crops are loving it—growing by leaps and bounds! Tomatoes are blushing, beans are climbing like champs, and the corn is shooting up by the day.

💡Fun Facts about Midwest Summer Weather:
🔹 The Midwest can see over 70% humidity during the summer—plants like cucumbers, corn, and squash absolutely love it.
🔹 Warm, moist nights help many crops continue growing even after sunset.
🔹 Thunderstorms often bring nitrogen-rich rain, which gives plants a natural growth boost!

Of course, we’re keeping a close eye on water levels and keeping ourselves (and the animals!) hydrated, too. 💧🐓🐴

Here’s to sunshine, sweat, and a garden that’s bursting with promise!

06/24/2025

🐔 From fluffy chicks to egg-laying pros! 🥚

Our Rhode Island Reds have become the heart of Blue Grass Bend — giving us fresh eggs, daily laughs, and a deeper connection to homestead life.

Check out our latest blog to meet the flock, peek inside our coop, and learn some fun facts about raising chickens on the homestead!

👉 Read the blog here: https://www.bluegrassbend.com/bgb-blog/from-chicks-to-chickens-our-rhode-island-reds-at-blue-grass-bend

Meet the Rhode Island Reds of Blue Grass Bend! Explore our coop life, daily eggs, and fun facts about raising chickens on the homestead.

06/22/2025

🌸 BGB Featured Flower: The African Violet 🌸
This week at Blue Grass Bend, we’re shining the spotlight on a sweet little bloom that’s a favorite for windowsills and hearts alike — the African Violet!

💡 Fun Facts:
• African violets aren’t true violets — they belong to the Saintpaulia genus.
• These fuzzy-leafed beauties bloom year-round indoors with the right care!
• They thrive in bright, indirect light and love room-temperature water from the bottom up.
• With proper care, they can live for decades — even passed down through generations!

📜 A Bit of History:
Discovered in Tanzania in the late 1800s by Baron Walter von Saint Paul, African violets quickly became popular houseplants across Europe and the U.S. By the 1940s, they were a staple in American homes — a symbol of warmth, care, and a gentle hand.

Whether you're a seasoned grower or just beginning your indoor plant journey, African violets are a perfect reminder that even the smallest blooms can bring the biggest joy.

🌿 Celebrate the beauty of simple things with us — because good things are always just around The Bend.

06/20/2025

🌞🌻 Hello, Summer! 🌻🌞
It’s the first day of summer at Blue Grass Bend, and the homestead is bursting with life! From the buzzing garden beds to livestock soaking up the sun, it’s a beautiful day to celebrate the longest stretch of daylight all year. ☀️

🌽 Fun First Day of Summer Facts – Midwest Edition:
• The summer solstice is the longest day of the year—with over 15 hours of daylight here in the Midwest!
• Traditionally, it marks the beginning of the growing season’s peak, when plants grow fastest and gardens really show off.
• In old homesteading lore, the solstice was a time to pause, celebrate abundance, and spend more time outdoors—something we still love doing today.

Whether you’re pulling weeds, filling water buckets, or just sitting on the porch with your morning coffee, we hope you find a little joy in today’s sunshine.

☀️ Happy Summer from all of us at Blue Grass Bend—because good things are always just around The Bend. 🌿

06/17/2025

🐮 New on the Blog: Raising a Bottle Calf (with a Little Help from C.B.) 🐴
It’s our third season raising a bottle calf here at Blue Grass Bend, and this year’s Belted Galloway calf has found a faithful and trusted guardian—our horse, C.B. From his dramatic debut as calf overseer in 2022 to his expert corralling instincts, C.B. has taken every calf under his wing (or hoof) ever since.

This sweet story is one of our favorites—and a reminder that on the homestead, love and loyalty come in all shapes and species.

Be sure to follow the Blue Grass Bend page for more updates from around the homestead.

Because as always, good things are just around The Bend. 🌿

https://www.bluegrassbend.com/bgb-blog/raising-a-bottle-calf

Meet our Belted Galloway bottle calf and his loyal overseer, C.B. the horse—proof that good things are always just around The Bend.

06/13/2025

🌸 BGB Featured Flower: The Hydrangea 🌸

Today at Blue Grass Bend, we’re celebrating the timeless beauty of hydrangeas — those fluffy, cloud-like blooms that bring elegance to any garden!

💡 Fun Facts:
• Did you know the color of hydrangea blooms can change based on soil pH? Acidic soils (low pH) produce blue flowers, while alkaline soils (high pH) give you pink ones!
• The name "hydrangea" comes from Greek words meaning "water vessel" — fitting, since they love moisture!
• In the Victorian language of flowers, hydrangeas symbolized heartfelt emotion and gratitude.

🌿 Growing Tips:
• Hydrangeas prefer morning sun and afternoon shade — especially in hotter climates. ☀️
• Keep soil consistently moist, but ensure it drains well to prevent root rot.💧
• Pruning depends on the type — some bloom on old wood, some on new, so know your variety before cutting back!🌿

📜 A Bit of History:
Native to Asia and the Americas, hydrangeas have graced gardens since the 18th century in Europe. They've long been loved for their dramatic blooms and ability to adapt beautifully in cottage gardens, woodland edges, and decorative hedges.

Something beautiful is always growing on the homestead. Take the time to stop and take it all in — and remember, good things are just around The Bend. 🌿💧🌺

06/12/2025

🍓 Strawberries Are In Season at Blue Grass Bend! 🍓

It’s June, and that means strawberries are stealing the show here on the homestead. In our latest blog post, we’re talking all about growing your own—from choosing between June-bearing and ever-bearing varieties to tips for planting, mulching, and keeping your berries happy all season long.

Whether you’re dreaming of a backyard berry patch or already harvesting, this post is full of simple advice to get the most out of your strawberries.

And to celebrate the first big harvest, we’re sharing a sweet family favorite—my mom’s fresh strawberry pie recipe. Just a few ingredients, no fancy steps, and it tastes like summer in every bite.

Hop over to the blog and join us in the berry patch!
https://www.bluegrassbend.com/bgb-blog/strawberries-from-garden-to-moms-strawberry-pie

Learn how to grow June-bearing and ever-bearing strawberries on your homestead, plus enjoy my mom’s sweet, simple recipe for homemade strawberry pie—perfect for summer’s first harvest.

06/07/2025

🌿🏡 Out of sight = out of mind… even in the garden.

This weekend on the blog, I’m digging into why location is everything when it comes to garden planning—not just for sun or soil, but for your daily life. A garden you see often is a garden you care for. 💧🐛🍅

By placing your garden where you pass by daily—and even better, near spots where you like to spend time—you’ll catch issues early, stay connected, and enjoy the beauty of what you’ve grown.

Think seating nooks, shady benches, or even an entertaining area nearby… because the more time you spend among your plants, the better they’ll grow—and the more joy they’ll bring. 🌻🪴🪑

https://www.bluegrassbend.com/bgb-blog/grow-where-youre-planted-part-4

Plan your garden where you’ll see it daily. Enjoy your space, catch issues early, and make it part of your everyday life on the homestead.