The Blooming Sage: Tips and Tales from Buzzing Timber Lake Bluff

 Thanksgiving is over, but the delicious possibilities of your holiday feast are far from done! If you’ve got a leftover turkey carcass sitting in your kitchen, don’t toss it—turn it into a pot of rich, nourishing bone broth. This simple and sustainable practice makes use of every part of your turkey while creating a versatile base for soups, stews, or sipping on its own. At Timber Lake Bluff , we love finding ways to extend the bounty of our meals, and making bone broth is a cozy, homestead-approved tradition. It’s packed with nutrients, simple to make, and a perfect way to savor every bit of that holiday bird. Here’s how you can transform your leftovers into a homemade pantry staple. What Makes Turkey Bone Broth So Good for You? Bone broth isn’t just delicious—it’s a powerhouse of health benefits: Rich in Collagen: Collagen from the bones breaks down into gelatin, which supports skin, joints, and gut health. Loaded with Nutrients: It’s full of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, an...

 If you stop by Timber Lake Bluff this season, you’ll find my gardens bursting with kale—Japanese flowering kale, scarlet kale, blue curled vates kale, and dwarf blue curled scotch kale, to be exact! Kale isn’t just another leafy green; it’s a powerhouse of nutrition, versatility, and flavor. Whether you’re a health nut, a foodie, or someone just looking for ways to use up your garden haul, kale has something for everyone. Let me tell you why I absolutely love growing, cooking, and sharing this superfood with you. The Health Benefits of Kale: Why It Deserves Superfood Status Kale is more than just trendy—it’s a nutritional goldmine. Here’s why it’s earned its place as a superfood: Nutrient-Dense : Kale is loaded with Vitamins A, C, and K. Just one cup of raw kale provides: 206% of your daily Vitamin A (goodbye, carrots!), 134% of your daily Vitamin C, 684% of your daily Vitamin K (bone health superstar!). Antioxidant-Rich : Kale is packed with powerful antioxidants like querceti...

 As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us are preparing to gather with loved ones and indulge in comforting dishes that symbolize tradition and togetherness. Among these classics, pumpkin pie often takes center stage. But have you ever paused to thank the tiny, hardworking pollinators who make this dessert—and so much of our food—possible? At The Blooming Sage , we celebrate not only the food on our plates but also the intricate ecosystems that bring these traditions to life. This Thanksgiving, let’s explore the role of pollinators in creating our festive feasts, learn how to protect them, and, of course, share a from-scratch recipe for pumpkin pie that honors the bees’ incredible contributions. Pollinators: The Unsung Heroes of the Harvest Pumpkin pie wouldn’t exist without pollinators, as pumpkins depend on bees for pollination. Specifically, pumpkins rely on these species: Squash Bees ( Peponapis spp. ): Specialists that exclusively pollinate gourds like pumpkins, squash, and zu...

Winter is approaching, and for beekeepers in Northeast Oklahoma , preparation is key to ensuring your colonies survive and thrive through the colder months. With the unique climate of our region, including mild winters punctuated by sudden cold snaps, it’s essential to implement hive management practices that address these challenges. Whether you’re an experienced beekeeper or just starting, this guide offers practical, regionally specific tips to help your bees navigate winter successfully. Why Winterization Matters Preparing your hives for winter isn’t just about survival—it’s about setting your colonies up for success in spring. Proper winterization addresses the following: Varroa Mite Control : Ensuring a healthy bee population free from parasitic stress. Food Stores and Emergency Feeding : Avoiding starvation during periods of inactivity. Moisture Management : Preventing deadly condensation inside the hive. Wind Protection : Shielding hives from cold north winds that can chill bee...

 White turnips, a nutrient-packed root vegetable, are an often-overlooked gem in both the garden and the kitchen. At The Blooming Sage , we’re all about making the most of everything we grow, from the roots to the greens and even the scraps that make their way back into the compost pile. Today, let’s explore why white turnips deserve a spot in your garden and on your plate, with a focus on how to use every part of the plant and keep the cycle going with composting. Nutritional Powerhouse 🥗✨ White turnips are a low-calorie, nutrient-dense addition to any diet. Here’s why they’re worth adding to your meal planning: Low in Calories: ~28 kcal per 100 grams Rich in Fiber: Promotes gut health High in Vitamin C: Boosts immunity with 21 mg per 100 grams (23% of your daily value) Packed with Potassium and Calcium: Supports bone and heart health Antioxidants and Phytonutrients: Helps reduce inflammation and protect cells With about 92% water content, white turnips are hydrating and an...

 At The Blooming Sage, we’re always exploring sustainable gardening techniques that enhance productivity and support healthy ecosystems. Today, we’re diving into steep hugel beds —a modern twist on the centuries-old hugelkultur method popularized by permaculturist Sepp Holzer . These beds are ideal for gardeners who want to grow more plants in less space while improving soil health and conserving water. Let’s explore how to create and care for steep hugel beds and discover why they’re such a beneficial addition to your garden. What are Steep Hugel Beds? Hugelkultur involves building raised beds with layers of decaying wood, organic matter, and soil to create a nutrient-rich environment. While traditional hugel beds are typically low and wide, steep hugel beds are taller and narrower, forming a mini-mountain of fertility. The height and slope of these beds maximize planting space, making them perfect for compact gardens. Benefits of Steep Hugel Beds : Soil Compaction Prevention : ...

 If you’re a beekeeper, you’re likely no stranger to the infamous wax moth. This longtime foe of honey bees is one of the most resilient and persistent pests that beekeepers encounter. But while wax moths are pests, their relationship with bees is a complex one that spans millions of years. By understanding their natural role and how they’ve co-evolved with bees, we can better manage their presence in our hives with sustainable practices. At The Blooming Sage , we’re passionate about supporting sustainable beekeeping practices that work with, rather than against, nature. Let’s dive into the fascinating relationship between wax moths and honey bees, and explore effective, sustainable ways to manage this age-old problem in your hives. A Unique Evolutionary Relationship: Wax Moths and Honey Bees 🦋🐝 Wax moths have evolved to be master infiltrators of bee colonies, leveraging several unique adaptations to enter hives undetected. The greater wax moth ( Galleria mellonella ) even produ...