Honeyshine Farm

10/05/2026

A great weekend at RockHill Castle Renaissance Festival despite today's rains. Thanks to everyone who made it out and visited!

Please let us know if there is anything you are interested in or would like to know more about

10/04/2026

I posted the other day about how butterfly bushes are actually not a good thing and then I just saw this. Glad to know what is a good alternative.

Butterfly bush isn't the only way to fill a fall garden with pollinator-friendly blooms. Georgia natives can offer plenty of nectar while bringing more local value to the landscape.

10/04/2026

These are our daughter, Amanda’s favorite. We have bulbs for sale if they are your favorite as well. 💚🌱

Red spider lilies seem to appear almost overnight, sending up vivid flowers before any foliage follows. Their unusual growth cycle makes them one of the most surprising sights in Georgia gardens as fall begins.

10/04/2026

Some herbs are tougher than they look 🌿❄️✨ and can survive cold weather surprisingly well when planted in the right conditions.
Thyme, sage, oregano, chives, and mint are all hardy choices for many gardens 🌱💚. Chives and mint may die back above ground during winter but often return from the roots in spring 🌦️🌿. Oregano and thyme can handle cold well when the soil drains properly.
Rosemary is the trickiest one 🌿⚠️. Many varieties are sensitive to hard freezes, so cold-hardy types such as ‘Arp’ or ‘Hill Hardy’ are better choices in colder climates. Even then, a sheltered spot can make a big difference 🏡❄️
Good drainage, winter protection, and choosing varieties suited to your climate are just as important as the herb itself 🌱🪴✨

10/04/2026

Don't take down your bluebird house for winter. It might be a bedroom. 🐦
Eastern bluebirds are one of the great comeback stories of the 20th century.
The comeback:
→ In the mid-1900s, bluebird numbers crashed due to competition for nest cavities from house sparrows and starlings, habitat loss, and pesticides
→ Volunteers began building and monitoring nest box trails
→ Numbers rebounded across the eastern US
What bluebirds do in fall and winter:
→ Families stay together in small flocks
→ They eat fruit and insects: sumac, dogwood, winterberry, juniper, and mealworms
→ On cold nights, several bluebirds may crowd into a single nest box to share body heat
→ Severe winters can kill many birds, so shelter matters
How to prepare your box for winter:
→ Clean out old nests now. Wear gloves and a mask
→ Check for damage, and repair or replace if needed
→ Leave the box up all winter. Don't plug the hole
→ Make sure the entrance hole is clear and the box is stable
Food and water:
→ Offer mealworms, suet, or fruit (softened raisins) in a feeder
→ Provide a heated birdbath (bluebirds love water in winter)
→ Plant native fruiting shrubs like dogwood, sumac, winterberry, and holly
The guilt-reversal:
We put boxes up in spring and forget them by winter. But winter is when the birds need shelter the most.
A small wooden box.
A family of blue. 🏠

10/04/2026

10/04/2026

It's fall migration. And birds hit windows every day. Here's exactly what to do if you find one. 🐦
Step 1: Approach gently
→ Wear gloves if you have them
→ Cover the bird with a light cloth or towel
→ Pick it up gently with both hands. Don't squeeze
Step 2: Make a safe space
→ Place it in a small cardboard box or a paper bag with air holes
→ Line it with a paper towel
→ Close the top, and put it in a dark, quiet, warm place (away from pets, kids, and noise)
Step 3: Wait
→ Don't offer food or water. That can be dangerous
→ Give it one to two hours
→ Check gently, without opening the box wide
Step 4: Release or call
→ If the bird is alert and moving, take the box outside and open it. Let it fly away
→ If it's still there after a couple of hours, or if it has a drooping wing, bleeding, or trouble breathing, call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator
→ Use ahnow.org (Animal Help Now) to find help near you
If a cat caught it:
→ Even if it looks fine, take it to a rehabilitator. Cat saliva carries bacteria that can be fatal without antibiotics
Important:
→ It's illegal to keep wild birds in the US. Most are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act
→ Don't try to raise or nurse it yourself
Prevention:
→ Put markers on your windows (spaced about 2 inches apart)
→ Turn off unnecessary lights at night during migration
→ Keep cats indoors
Every bird you help is a journey that can continue.
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