The Hohlen Homestead

09/05/2026

We wanted an American wisteria but we weren't sure where to put it. The wife came up with this idea so it was my duty to get it done. We are also going to be making an arbor for a Kentucky wisteria. We are looking to create some old-world charm in some new ways!

09/01/2026

September is a great month. There is a lot of change in the air and the month harbors my birthday. The garden is in a bit of a decline but plenty of plants are flowering to give pollinators food for migration or overwintering. The light is starting to change if you haven't noticed.

08/31/2026

Primocane blackberries are a great way to get delicious fruit. They provide a second potential season for blackberries beyond the normal summer harvest. You also do not have to worry about the canes surviving the winter.

08/28/2026

Our CSA has been humming along the last few weeks. We are pretty much in the peak of the season and have been getting a large variety of produce. We have included tomatoes, beets, red noodle beans, garlic, onions, herbs, and more. We have even included the odd ripe fruit from here and there.

We feel very blessed to be able to include others in the abundance and put our produce on their plates.

08/22/2026

This little guy was my best friend for 20 minutes last week. He would actually not leave and just stayed perched on my hand, arm, or shoulder. I think he was just using me for the salts and minerals I was sweating out.

This is a hackberry emperor. A native species of butterfly whose larvae eat, you guessed it, hackberry tree leaves.

08/21/2026

The fall raspberries are starting to come on. These are the everbearing varieties that flowered on their new growth. This is opposed to summer fruiting varieties that fruit on the previous year's growth. Everbearing varieties will also produce in the summer.

Having a number of different varieties with varying ripening times are essential to a succession of harvests. This is incredibly important to us as we love having fruit for as much of the year as possible.

08/20/2026

Consider signing up and supporting local producers! We are a stop on the tours!

We’re excited to share that the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering with U of I Extension Carroll-Lee-Whiteside Unit and Whiteside Area Career Center for the second year of Sauk Valley Grown on September 10!

Sauk Valley Grown is more than farm tours; it’s an opportunity to get out into our community, learn directly from local producers, and better understand the agriculture and food systems that play such an important role in our region.

Join us on Thursday, September 10 for a day of exploring local farms and businesses, asking questions, gaining a behind-the-scenes look at agriculture in the Sauk Valley, and building a greater appreciation for where our food comes from and the people who produce it. We will conclude the day with locally sourced dinner prepared by Whiteside Area Career Center's Culinary Arts Program.

Tours run 9 a.m.–5 p.m., with limited spots available. Details on location and timing can be found at https://bit.ly/4c70Ci5. Pick and choose the tours that work with your schedule, and then join us for dinner at 5 p.m. at WACC. Registration is required by September 3. Reserve your seat at https://bit.ly/4c70Ci5

Come curious. Leave with a whole new appreciation for agriculture in the Sauk Valley!

08/19/2026

This is an underwing moth and may be the Penitent underwing moth. Their larvae feed on walnut, hickory, pecan, and persimmon trees.

I had personally never seen one of these moths and it was quite good sized. I am sure they are more active at night and why they escape my observation.

More moths are a good reason to plant native trees and shrubs as well as herbaceous perennials. Moths make caterpillars and caterpillars can be food for birds and other insects. Caterpillars are a crucial layer of the food web. More caterpillars can feed a larger food web and thus support more animal biomass.

All due to planting more native plants!

08/18/2026

This lovely butterfly appears to be a meadow fritillary. While not quite as exciting as our farm-to-table cooking class, it still excites me to go out and identify any of the butterflies, moths, caterpillars, and other insects I find. As, such we shall continue in with the insect series.

The caterpillars of the meadow fritillary and many other species of fritillary need violets to eat. That is why we try and leave some patches of violets undisturbed and unmown. I actually saw the caterpillars of another species of fritillary eating a violet the other day, I will share those another time.

I hope you look forward to seeing more butterflies and other insects as they have been filling my camera reel.