4 Ways to Prepare for Winter on a Farm
Life on the farm is peaceful, enjoyable…and full of hard work.
When the seasons are changing, there are tons of things to do around the farm to prepare.
When colder weather is on its way, that chore list gets even longer.
Your farm is your passion, so taking care of it is important to you.
Check out these 4 important tips for preparing for winter on the farm.
Take Care of the Garden
Your garden can be your hobby, your food source and one of your favorite parts of your farm.
Preparing your garden for winter is vital to making sure it’s in great shape by the time spring arrives.
There are a few key ways to get your garden ready for the colder weather:
- Clean out dead stems and other non-beneficial roughage
- Compost any dead plant debris
- Take care of your perennials. Check and remove dead pest eggs and trim them stems
- Gather any diseased mulch and dispose of it
- For small trees or bushes, wrap the bark in protective tree guard materials to keep rodents and woodland creatures from gnawing
Of course, you’ll have unique aspects of preparing your garden that others won’t have.
Depending on the types of evergreen plants and perennials you have in your garden, you may have different preparations.
Clean and Store Your Tools
The tools that you use on your farm are often expensive, and vital to your productivity.
Properly storing them during the winter is the only way to ensure that they remain in good condition and are ready to be used in the spring.
Clean your tools thoroughly, with rubbing alcohol and steel wool. Clean the joints in your shears and scissors and make sure any wooden handles are oiled before storing.
Detach and store your hoses so that they don’t freeze and become brittle.
Do Some Planting
Going into winter, plants and specimens are more affordable than ever.
This is a great opportunity for you to stock up on new perennials, bushes and trees, and get your planting done when the weather is more temperate.
Planting is also easier in the fall, when hot temperatures, bugs and humidity can zap your energy and make you miserable while you work.
Fall weather is also more conducive to regular plant growth, and there’s no need to invest in fertilizer, either.
Take Care of Livestock
If you have livestock on your farm, it’s important to take care of them before the cold winter weather hits.
It’s important to make sure that your grazing animals have ample food supply for the winter.
Stock up on feed, hay for their bedding, and any tools or goods you’ll need to take care of them.
Supplies aren’t guaranteed for the winter months, and you never know when bad weather will hit and prevent you from making it to the store.
Make sure you have a reliable source of fresh water that isn’t at risk of being frozen in the winter temperatures.
Consider investing in a de-icer if you don’t already have one. If you do, make sure it’s in good working order before the cold weather arrives.
If you’re looking to expand your land or add another farm to your life, Hurdle Land and Realty is here for you.
Contact us today to see our inventory and learn about the beautiful properties that you could call home.