Lavender & Sage Homestead

09/03/2026

Why do I feel like I’m in the movie Ground Hog Day! Will this heat ever let up?!

09/03/2026

Come spoil your pup Oak Hollow Market!

09/03/2026

🌶️ How many colors can one sweet pepper possibly be?!

Meet Blot—one of those peppers I keep growing because it’s just so much fun to watch.

The fruits start out creamy yellow-green and then the show begins: purple and lavender blotches and streaks appear, with the peppers continuing to change through shades of orange and eventually red as they ripen. 🎨🌶️ And no two ever seem to look quite the same!

Despite all that dramatic coloring, Blot is a sweet pepper—not a hot one. It’s crunchy, juicy and sweet, making it a great one for fresh eating as well as cooking.

This is my second year growing them, but I want to hear from other Blot growers:

What colors have you gotten? Drop a photo in the comments—I want to see your prettiest/weirdest Blots! 😂

And what do you think of the flavor? How do you like to use them? If they don’t get munched up directly in the garden, they make it into lunch boxes for a fun discussion around the lunch table.

For those who haven’t grown Blot yet… who wants to see this one on my 2027 plant sale list? 🙋‍♀️🌱

🌿 Let’s Grow Together!

09/01/2026

If you haven’t had a chance to do so, please nominate your favorite local farmer. A simple nomination helps them feel seen and supported for their effort in providing you with the freshest food. Nominations help them compete for the chance to win grants to help maintain and expand their operations from irrigation systems, washing stations, high tunnels, feed, and more. This simple action has huge impacts.

Resources for small farmers and easy actions for farm supporters

08/31/2026

🌶️ Lemon Spice + Pumpkin Spice Jalapeños

One of my favorite things about growing unusual varieties is discovering just how much more there is to a jalapeño than green or red.

Lemon Spice ripens to brilliant yellow and brings a bright, fruity flavor with hints of citrus. Pumpkin Spice ripens to gorgeous shades of golden and pumpkin orange, with a slightly sweeter, fruity flavor. Both still bring that familiar jalapeño heat.

And just look at that color progression! 💚💛🧡❤️

They’re beautiful enough for the garden, but even better in fresh salsa, pickles, hot sauce and anything else that could use a colorful little kick.

Are these beauties on your Summer 2027 list? Drop a comment if I should have these available again at next year’s plant sale.

08/30/2026

Hit it too hard at the gym? Feeling achy? Try our warming muscle balm made with cayenne peppers from the garden and arnica flowers and ginger. You can grab some on my website for local pickup https://www.lavenderandsagehomestead.com/product-page/warming-muscle-balm. You can also pick some up Oak Hollow Market and bentonvillemercantile.

08/29/2026

Taking time to appreciate nature regardless of location.

08/29/2026

Excited to announce I’m officially on the shelves Bentonville Mercantile! Stop by and pick up some new bath soak scents you won’t find anywhere else! They are stocked with my yummy herbed salts and sugars and all my salves! They also have my elderberry DIY kits and menthol chest rub for your back to school blues.