GenAcres Homestead

  Top Ten Hosta Questions Answered Some Answers May Surprise You! Hostas are one of the most popular perennials of all time.  Here at Sunset Hosta Farm.com, we get a lot of questions about hostas.  Following is a list of the ten top questions we are asked about hostas and their care.

  Blue Mouse Ears Hosta in Hypertufa Pot Advantages of Growing Hostas in Pots Potted hostas are not only a great way to show off those gorgeous hosta leaves, but there are many other advantages to growing hosta plants in pots and containers.   I bet there are a few advantages listed here that you haven't thought of. 

Winter Care for Hosta Plants Hostas are hardy in cold winters. In fact, hostas only need four to six weeks of temperatures below 40 degrees for the hostas to go dormant and get their winter sleep. There is no winter growth during this time like there is with some other perennials.  

        Reviving the Old Soil in Hosta Pots Your potted hostas will greatly benefit from the container soil being refreshed every year.  It doesn't take long, and your hostas will thank you by displaying beautiful, healthy leaves. And as you know, when we talk about hostas, It's All About the Leaves!!! Once you learn the basics of healthy soil, you'll be able to recharge last year's potting soil and save a lot of money by doing so.

The Beauty of Miniature Hostas! Mini hostas, whether they're the adorable mouse-ear types or the dainty leafed varieties, they always get noticed.   Minis are well suited for any type of mini to small garden, be it rock garden, fairy garden or mini garden collections.

  Hostas for Early Spring Color! After a winter that seems like it will never end, I am always anxious to see the first flush of color in my garden.  If you're looking for early spring color in your shady or part sunny perennial or hosta garden, look no further than hostas! 

The Versatility of Hosta Plants! Hostas are not only beautiful, but they also come in a large variety of leaf colors, sizes and shapes. But did you know that hostas are so versatile that there are other advantages to adding hostas in your garden other than their beauty? 

Why Birds Aren't Using Your Birdbath It’s been said that birdbaths attract more birds than bird feeders do. I believe that may be true as I know plenty of people who have several feeders but no birdbaths in their yard and they are wondering where their bird visitors are. If you have a birdbath that is open for business but no feathery customers are visiting, you may find the reason below. Problems with Placement 1. Birds simply don't see the birdbath. Even if a birdbath is clean and filled with sparkling water, it's not doing the birds any good if they can't find it. The birdbath should be easily seen from the sky. 2. The birdbath is placed in full sun. The water may be too warm to be refreshing. Moving the birdbath to a shadier spot may be all you need to do. Some shade will also keep the water fresh longer. 3. The birdbath was placed in an area that doesn't appear safe. Skittish birds feel safer if they can see in all directions while they drink or bathe. They

~~~~~~~~~~ Homestead Holidays How to Save Money while Making the Kids Happy! Guest Post By  Brandi Goodnight goodnighttobadhabits.com ~~~~~~~~~~ Holidays can be hard. Holidays can be hard, and this year is no exception. In fact, this year may feel harder than in previous years. We want to make our kid's holiday a special one, but our finances may say otherwise. Shopping for the family can be stressful but with a plan, it can be easier. Is it possible to save money during the Holidays and still make our kids happy? The quick answer is, yes. In many cases, you do not need to spend an arm and a leg to make kids happy. We will discuss multiple ways to save money without sacrificing the Holidays for our kids. The true meaning of the holidays. The holidays are a time of family and reflection. Bringing those values back to this time of year will provide love and happiness in the house. Kindness and Joy may be all around us year-round, but now is the time to make it a focal point. The ho

           Must-Have Supplies for Self Reliance. Guest Post By Amanda Hartvigsen Freelance Writer ~~~~~~~~~ The goal of every homestead is to be self-reliant. Meaning, the ability to take care of our own needs without depending on anyone else. Even without the acres of land one usually associates with a homestead, this mindset is something we can all learn from and work on! When Covid-19 hit the USA no one could have prepared us for the mayhem that followed. Going to the store and seeing empty shelves, no meat, no eggs... it was unsettling, to say the least. Like most of you, I'm sure, I went into survival mode. I wanted to make sure I had everything I needed to take care of my little ones! Unfortunately, I don't think those days of uncertainty are behind us. In fact, I think our fall and winter months could be pretty scary, but I am determined to be even more prepared this time around and I want to help you do the same! Worst-case scenario... nothing happens and we're all

All About Beautiful Blue Hostas When it comes to the colors of perennial plants in the garden, blue is by far the rarest and is also one of the many reasons that blue hostas are so popular, and the bigger the better.   But how do blue-leafed hostas develop and keep that beautiful blue tint? 

All About Fragrant Hostas! Although the blooms of hosta plants are commonly considered secondary to their beautiful leaves, there is a type of hosta, Hosta Plantaginea, that produces beautiful fragrant blooms that have been described as a strong honeysuckle-like fragrance. They are perfect for planting next to walkways, patios, decks, borders or near a garden bench.

~~~~~~~~~~ Homestead Giving You Static Clutter? Guest Post By  Brandi Goodnight goodnighttobadhabits.com ~~~~~~~~~~ Have you ever felt a connection between the clutter in your house and your anxiety levels? When sitting in your space, you should be able to feel relaxed and safe. However, when your place is cluttered, it can feel overwhelmed, uncomfortable, uneasy, and all-around depressed. If we consistently live like that, we retreat into our heads. Living like this can heighten our anxiety because we have nowhere else to go. When we relax, we give our minds a break and allow it to shut off. If we can't relax in our house, our minds can't take a break. Static Clutter I call this static clutter. I call it that because that was the only way I could describe how my house made me feel. That white noise static you get on your TV when it has no connection? That is what went through my head when I was home. My brain never got a break, my anxiety rose, and I

~~~~~~~~~~ Tips On How To Attract Birds To Your Garden Guest Post By Brett Lewis Contributor for:  BirdInformer.com ~~~~~~~~~~ Attracting Birds to your garden is a fairly simple task. It takes a considerable amount of work to get started, but the payoff of a garden buzzing with birds is sublime. To make birds regularly visit, this article will show you tips on how to attract birds to your garden . Entice them with Flowers Planting flowers, shrubs, and bushes around your garden that produces food are one of the most effective ways of attracting birds. Flowers that produce seeds that birds find delectable are: Sunflowers - Their bright yellow color and the seeds that they produce are enticing to birds. Even if sunflower seeds are not part of a particular bird's diet, they are still quite attracted to its dazzling color. Daisies - Similar to sunflowers, their bright yellow center and ability to produce seeds that birds can eat makes this a great choice. An advantage of this flower