Hollie's Garden

04/25/2026

What to do with those dandelions? Make bread. But be sure you pick them from places that have not been treated with chemicals.

Nearly every part of the common dandelion, from its brilliant yellow petals, to its roots have been foraged throughout history for food, drink and medicine. A rich source of beta-carotene, dandelions are also packed with vitamins and minerals including calcium, iron, potassium and zinc. Young dandel...

03/16/2026

Who enjoys a good lightning and thunderstorm? We have had quite lately and while I fear for the potential damage especially combined with the wind and the heavy rain I know that lightning is good for the earth.

As we are transitioning to Spring and beginning to see plants quietly emerge from the earth we are reminded that new life is unfolding. Last night’s lightning wasn’t just a dramatic display in the sky — it was also nature at work.

Did you know that Lightning actually helps fertilize the earth through a process called atmospheric nitrogen fixation? The energy from lightning converts nitrogen in the air into nitrogen oxides, which dissolve in rainwater and fall to the soil as nitrates — essential nutrients that help plants grow.

Thats why it always feels fresher after a good storm!

So if the world looks a little greener this morning, it isn’t just your imagination. Nature has been tending the garden overnight.

Even with a few chilly days still in the forecast here in Michigan, spring is clearly on its way.

But buckle up today ! It’s crazy windy out there and the temp is going down! Pray for our Northern Michigan folks as they are dealing with 3 feet of snow, ice, and power outages.

02/16/2026

You don’t have to tear everything out to create change.

If a full lawn conversion feels like too much this year, scatter a little white clover seed and call it a quiet upgrade.

It grows low and soft beneath bare feet.
It asks for less water.
It doesn’t demand constant mowing.

And those tiny white blossoms? They’re an open invitation for bees — nourishment all season long.

Clover restores as it grows. It pulls nitrogen from the air and feeds the soil naturally, so your yard becomes more self-sustaining instead of dependent on synthetic fertilizers.

More life.

It isn’t dramatic.
It isn’t flashy.

It’s a gentle shift toward better.

And gentle shifts — layered over time — transform landscapes.

Every small act of using less water, no fertilizers, no w**d killers matters. The birds and the bees need this.

Just start.

12/31/2025

Birds don't just need food in winter—they need places to escape wind and conserve body heat. A single cold night without shelter can be fatal. Here's what to leave standing in your yard through spring:

1. Dead Flower Stalks
• Hollow stems trap warm air pockets
• Use: chickadees, wrens roost inside
• Leave: coneflowers, sunflowers, black-eyed Susans

2. Brush Piles
• Layered branches block wind, hold heat
• Use: sparrows, juncos huddle in centers
• Leave: pruned limbs stacked loosely near hedges

3. Unmowed Grass Patches
• Dense tufts create insulated hideouts
• Use: towhees, song sparrows nestle at base
• Leave: corner sections, fence lines unmowed

4. Evergreen Shrubs
• Year-round foliage shields from snow and wind
• Use: cardinals, finches roost on inner branches
• Leave: native juniper, holly, arborvitae unpruned

A tidy yard is a death trap. What looks messy to you is survival architecture to them. ❄️🏠

10/05/2025

https://gardeningsoul.com/12-herbs-you-can-grow-with-just-water-all-year-round/?fbclid=IwZnRzaANPl41leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHjLxbtiJDoRZ-yr6Zi_hI7FcgPHzmGreWsnbLo76ZwIRyosnOjvi18Uyy3mh_aem_3BnhHjszATw4W_N37xN-9g

Growing fresh herbs at home doesn’t have to be complicated or messy. With just a glass of water and a sunny windowsill, you can have a fresh supply of herbs all year round, perfect for adding flavor to your dishes. Growing herbs in water is not only convenient but also space-saving, making it idea...

06/04/2025

This morning this peony was a tiny closed bloom. This afternoon it’s in full bloom and very beautiful. Peony. Coral Sunset.

06/03/2025

Garden memories from
2018

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05/11/2025

Another beautiful plant. I use it to make flower essences which helps to activate the body’s ability to heal.

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Self Heal (Prunella vulgaris) flower on a morning in spring. Notice the square stem. This is an indication of the mint family (the Lamiaceae) and in general points to a safe plant that can be made into tea. Also note the flowering capitula (cob) which is the main part used in herbal medicine. The rest of the plant is OK to use, but the flowering head is most active. Like many medicinal plants, there is a combination of pharmacological activities that contribute to a whole effect--astringent tannins and a peculiar antiviral molecule, in this case. Canker sores are virally mediated, so intaking an antiviral herb that also shrinks the lesion (tannins astringe) will lead to fast relief. Healing the self. That is the first step in healing the planet. This little creeper has so much to tell us. Find out more about it in "Growing Plant Medicine Vol 2" where the mint family is given in-depth review. Meanwhile, look out for self heal, and if you don't have it, consider getting the plant or the seeds online at Strictly Medicinal Seeds.

Self-Heal (Prunella vulgaris)

Family: Mint (Lamiaceae)

Hardy to Zones 3 to 9

(Heal-All, Heart-of-the-Earth, Self Heal) Creeping herbaceous perennial, native to the northern hemisphere of Earth. In the garden or among the grasses on the lawn, a floral focal point or a surprising splash of color that gladdens the heart. Traditional usage (TWM): astringent, analgesic, antiviral, open sores of the oral mucosa, herpes. Pick at full flowering glory and dry in the shade, then set aside for making tea. The plant prefers full sun to shade and moist soils. If you bump them up with organic compost, they can be highly florific and stunning, otherwise a small demure blinking blue eye in the grasses. Flowers purple from 6 inches to 22 inches, depending on how much compost is used and how much competition is experienced from grasses. Space plants 1 foot apart. If kept w**ded, they will soon join to create a monotypic colony.

05/11/2025

Some more reasons to grow peppermint ! But always in a pot. I love to use the leaves and make a wonderful
Herbal infusion !

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Peppermint releases strong essential oils that naturally repel pests like mosquitoes, ants, and spiders…Read more…💬

05/09/2025

Here’s some ideas

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If ants have invaded your garden, here's how to fight them: you need 20 cents If ants are invading your garden, here's how to fight them: you need 20 cents. Ecological Homemade Recipe Ingredients :

• 2 hard-boiled egg yolks • ½ teaspoon of honey • 1 teaspoon of boric acid powder

Preparation :

1. Mash the egg yolks.
2. Add the honey and boric acid.
3. Mix until you obtain a paste.

Application :

Place small quantities near anthills. Ants will be attracted and die from dehydration. Other Natural Solutions • Bay leaves: Place them near infested areas. • Cinnamon or Black Pepper: A pinch deters ants. • Baking Soda and Sugar: Mix and spread near the anthills. • Mint, Cornstarch, Talc: These substances also repel ants. Conclusion Using these simple, eco-friendly methods, you can protect your garden from ants without chemicals. It is an economical and environmentally friendly solution.