Homesteading on the Hill

09/05/2025

05/05/2025

04/05/2025

Great forage today!!

18/04/2025

Wild VioletScientific name: Viola SororiaIdentification: Heart shaped leaves with saw-toothed edges. Flowers one per stem range from deep blue to violet purple. Benefits: Strengthens immune system, reduces inflammation and is great for common coughs, colds or even as a respiratory soother. Wild Viol...

10/04/2025

https://www.homesteadingonthehill.com/backyard-wild-edibles-and-medicinals/dandelion

DandelionScientific name: TaraxacumIdentification: Hairless leaves, with toothed edges. Roots, leaves, and hollow stems exclude milky white sap. One flower per stem. Either newly opened and yellow, or reopened and white full of seeds. Benefits: Packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A...

07/04/2025

Still on the search for laying hens from anywhere in the Cincinnati tri state area.

04/04/2025

Backyard Wild Edibles and Medicinals   Foraging for wild native plants is another piece of the sustainable pie. Once you start to learn that we are surrounded with abundance, you already have the deep inclination to utilize those resources as much as possible. For both edible, and medicinal purpose...

28/03/2025

Spring is springing!!!

18/03/2025

Happy St. Patrick's Day, Cincinnati! 🍀

10/03/2025

Looking for laying hens.
Does anyone have any available and for sale? Cincinnati area.

07/03/2025

Many things need to be happening on your part in this vital stage of survival, so pay attention....
First of all, seeds germinate better in complete darkness. So no light at all until they sprout. Seeing light for the first time is a 'booster' for the seedling, it can now determine how to absorb that energy it was reaching for.
Secondly, it's not just the light itself that's important..... When you start indoors like this you need to have the light as close to the dirt/plants as possible. You do not want 'leggy' seedlings, they will later become very weak plants, and you'll frustrate yourself wondering all season where you went wrong.
Third, water from the bottom! !! This can be a life saver especially if you start from seed. You can give a light spritz to the top, but in moderation, it's also important to never use tap water at this stage, because the added chlorine will not only deplete the plant and possibly kill it, but it will then become chemical dependent. You want to keep that seed snug and intact in the place you planted it, you don't want to disturb the dirt in any way until the root system is strong enough, and watering from the bottom allows the dirt to absorb the liquid as needed, always discard what's left in the pan after about 20-30 minutes. Water thoroughly and often, this also allows for the soil to remain loose when damp allowing for deeper more structured roots, and when you water from the top it packs the soil down.
Last but not least when they reach this stage in growth start to give them a gentle blow on stem and leaves. ...this is what will help establish a strong healthy root system. Keep in mind you're also preparing them for the exposure of the elements. Wind exists outside, so you need to mock inside as best you can.
I didn't mention soil or seeds because that's the first step to this process, which is planting, we're on the second step now, germination and growth.
You don't need all this money and time like people think you do. A little know how goes a long way... work smart not hard. 😉

06/03/2025

********SPRING SEED GIVEAWAY!!!!!

It's that time of year homesteaders!
I'm sure most of you are excited as I am to get the season started!
Here's a perfect chance to get some seeds in the dirt or add to the ones you already have planted.
All you have to do is 'like/follow' our page, share this status, and comment below that you want free seeds! You MUST have liked our page AND shared this status to win. Random seeds will be selected, packaged and sent. (click on the picture to get to the original post to comment that you want free seeds)
THREE winners will be chosen on Thursday March 13th!
Happy sharing!!!