Spring and summer seem to be the busiest times of the year for the homesteader. The garden is in full swing, animals are being born and there is an abundance of eggs from the chickens. Even fall brings plenty of chores. But when winter blows in, the homestead grows much quieter. So what can you do to feel like you are still a homesteader in the winter and how does homesteading in the winter work?
Plan your spring garden
One of my favorite things to do after the hustle of the holidays is to sit down and plan my spring garden. This is the time to dream up what your garden could be for the upcoming year. I personally spend hours scrolling through my favorite seed company’s websites picking out what varieties I want to order to plant.
It’s also a great time to evaluate what your garden may need to thrive and prepare it. Maybe you are going to need a fresh layer of compost over your raised beds. Or maybe you need to plan for more infrastructure. We personally are planning to build a fence around our in ground garden so that our chickens can free range throughout our the spring and summer without worrying about them eating all our food. Dream about the upcoming season not only to prepare for it, but to also grow excited for the possibilities to come.
Evaluate your pantry
Did you grow enough food this past spring in summer to make it through the winter? While I am planning my garden, I also decide what my preservation goals are for the upcoming year. Sometimes one particular veggie doesn’t grow well and I don’t get enough preserved. Last year our green bean harvest was terrible. This year though, we were rolling in green beans and my pantry shelves are full of canned green beans as well as our freezers!
Learn new skills
I tend to grow bored during the winter. I enjoy the business that comes with the warm weather. Although I do appreciate the rest, I find myself looking for tasks to fill my time. This may seem silly considering I’m chasing after three toddlers all day, but being productive is good for the soul. I have decided that I am taking this winter to learn some new skills such as learning to sew and perfecting my sourdough. Winter is the perfect time to try new recipes, find new hobbies and learn how to do things that help you to be more self reliant.
Build your farm’s infrastructure
If you live in a warmer climate like we do, it’s probably more comfortable to do work outside in the winter than it is in the heat of the summer. This makes winter the perfect time to get through some of those building projects you’ve been needing to do.
Being a homesteader means that at some point fences will need repairing and new shelters for animals will need to be built. You may find you have more free time to build things necessary to the homestead such as shelters, fence or spaces to store food.
We have found ourselves this winter working on our home. We have a new porch and some much needed storage shelves so that we have somewhere to store our canned goods come this next summer.
It’s also a great time to sit back and think about what may need organizing. Sheds, barns and homes can often become pretty helter skelter when we are busy. Tools get thrown into our shed without a second thought all year long that by the end of it, you can’t find anything. We spend a lot of time in the winter just cleaning and reorganizing our home and land.
Winter is a great time to be homesteading
Homesteading in the winter does not have to be boring or trying. While you are longing for the warmth that comes with the spring and summer, don’t forget that we need rest and time to reflect. We can actually use this season to grow in our homesteading skills that can carry on into the rest of the year.
Think about the goals you want to accomplish in the coming year and about the skills you want to build. Think about what you want your homestead to look like a year from now. There is so much good that can come from this period of quiet, cold and rest. Take full advantage of it.
If you are interested in homesteading, but are not sure how to get started check out my article here for some ideas!
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