winter homestead projects
Winter is when most folks retreat indoors away from the cold weather; the same is never true for homesteaders. Chores still need to be done, meaning a new set of winter homestead projects to be tackled.
Homesteading tips you can use all year long no matter what the weather is like outside your window.
If you’re feeling a little bit unsure about what you can do for your homestead during the winter, this list will help you to get started.
From researching vegetables for your spring garden to plans for building greenhouses, plenty of tasks will help keep you busy while the crops and your livestock are hibernating outside.
Winter is a great time to jump-start your preparation for the upcoming spring and summer months. Make the most of your time so you are ready when the snow melts and the ground thaws.
What should you do for livestock in the winter?
Winter can take a toll on our animals, so being consistent with care will help you to catch issues before they get out of hand.
Daily winter livestock care:
#1. Water all livestock – Water is an important part of healthy livestock. Each day, change out any water. If you see your livestock are not drinking enough, add in a tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar to one gallon of water.
#2. Replenish hay – Ruminants rely on hay as one of their main sources of food, especially in the winter when pastures are closed off. Give fresh hay each day that is good quality for the animals you are raising.
#3. Spot clean bedding – Remove any soiled bedding each day to help shelters smell fresher. Just a few shovels a day can make a huge difference in the condition of a barn.
#4. Collect eggs – If you live in a very cold area, you will want to collect eggs a few times a day to prevent freezing and cracking.
#5. Routinely check shelters – Look for drafty areas and closet them up as you find them.
#6. Inspecting body conditions – Look at your animals routinely and watch for any changes in their weight, coat, or how they are walking and moving.
#7. Administering supportive care – Incorporate herbs into your care routine to help raise healthier animals.
Winter Homestead Projects
During the winter months, homesteaders have a chance to sit still and focus on projects that will benefit their land and animals. The colder weather may limit outdoor activities, but it also allows more indoor time to plan, research, and prepare for the upcoming seasons.
Winter Gardening Projects
One of the best things you can do for your garden during the winter is to plan and prepare for the upcoming spring.
#1. Researching Vegetables to Grow
Take advantage of the winter months to research different vegetables and plants that you can grow in your garden.
Look into seed catalogs, read gardening books, and talk to fellow homesteaders for recommendations. This will help you plan out your garden layout and make a list of seeds to purchase for the spring.
#2. Starting Seeds Indoors
Winter is also a great time to start seeds indoors, giving you a head start on your spring planting and helping extend your growing season. When you start your seeds, it will depend on where you live and the plant you want to grow. Most commonly, January to April is seed starting time.
#3. Plan out New Garden Beds or Orchards
If you have been wanting to expand your garden or plant new fruit trees, the winter months are the perfect time to plan and prepare. Use this time to research the best locations for new beds or orchards on your homestead.
You can also list any necessary supplies you will need to purchase, a plot map for where the new area will go, and a list of tasks to do as the weather warms up.
Indoor Winter Gardening Supplies:
LetPot LPH-SE Hydroponics Growing System, 12 Pods Smart Herb Garden Kit Indoor, Indoor Garden, APP & WiFi Controlled, with 24W Growing LED, 5.5L Water Tank, Pump System, Automatic Timer
Hydroponics Growing System Indoor Garden Vertical Garden Planter,30-Plant Hydroponic Growing System,Indoor Smart Garden Kit Including 3Pcs Grow Bags,Water Level,Pouring Funnel(No Seedlings Included)Sereniseed Certified Organic Leafy Greens Lettuce Seeds Collection (10-Pack) – 100% Non GMO, Open Pollinated – Grow GuideSet of 50 Premium Variety Herbs and Vegetables – Deluxe Garden Choices for Premium Gardening! (50 Variety Premium Garden Vegetable)
Livestock Projects
In addition to preparing your garden, winter is also a good time to focus on projects related to animal husbandry.
Animal husbandry is the care, breeding, and management of livestock animals. This can include tasks such as building or repairing animal shelters, setting up new grazing routines for the spring, or researching new breeds to add to your homestead.
#1. Upgrading Animal Shelters
Use this time to inspect and upgrade your animal shelters as needed. Make sure they are sturdy, well-insulated, and have enough space for your animals to move around comfortably.
If you find drafts or areas where the snow or rain is entering the shelter, make this a top-priority task to repair.
#2. Preparing for New Arrivals
Winter is a great time to plan ahead for any new arrivals on your homestead. If you are expecting new animals in the spring, make sure to prepare their shelter and living space beforehand.
This can include adding fencing, building a new coop or barn, or even making room for them by sectioning off areas inside of existing structures.
#3. Learning New Animal care Skills
Winter is a great opportunity to expand your knowledge and learn new skills related to your livestock.
This can include attending workshops or classes, reading books and articles, or even just talking to experienced homesteaders in your area. Use this time to gain new insights and improve your practices for caring for your animals.
Call your local county extension office or a college in your area to see if they are holding any workshops you can attend.
SLCG Pro Tip: When I started raising goats, I asked our vet to visit our home. She showed me how to clip hooves, give shots, and dehorn our herd. This was a cost investment but one that paid for itself in a short time. Being confident with our livestock care is a huge help when first starting out.
Winter Barn Projects
Winter is the perfect time to tackle barn projects and improve the organization and functionality of your farm, the layout, and what areas you have where.
#1. Cleaning and Organizing the Barn
Take advantage of slower days during the winter to deep clean and organize your barn. This not only helps with overall farm maintenance but also creates a healthier environment for your animals.
Get rid of any old or damaged equipment, reorganize supplies, and thoroughly clean all surfaces to prevent the buildup of bacteria and pests.
#2. Add a Feed Room
If you have a large number of animals or are looking to expand your farm, consider adding a dedicated feed room. This can help keep your barn cleaner and more organized by storing all feed in one location.
Having an organized feed room makes it easier to track inventory and ensure that all animals are receiving the proper nutrition they need.
#3. Build New Pens Inside the Barn
If you have enough space in your barn, consider building new pens for your animals. This can help with organization and make it easier to care for them during health issues or birthing.
Birthing pens are great to have in the spring, giving you and the mother a private area that is safer for everyone.
New Ventures
Winter is not just a time for maintaining and improving; it can also be a time for exploring new ventures. Use this opportunity to think outside the box and consider new ways of incorporating animal husbandry into your homesteading journey.
#1. Hatch Eggs From Your Chickens or Ducks
Winter is a great time to experiment with hatching eggs from your own chickens or ducks. This can be a fun way of increasing your flock and allows you to control the breeding process.
You can purchase an affordable egg hatcher online allowing you to get started right away. There is nothing as fun as baby chicks on a homestead!
More Winter Chicken Care Reads:
- How to Keep Chickens Warm in Winter Without Electricity
- How to Keep Eggs From Freezing in the Winter
- How to Prepare Your Chicken Coop for Winter
#2. Make Soap From Your Goat Milk
One of my favorite things to do is make soap from the milk we get from our dairy herd. This is another fun project to try over the winter months.
Goat milk soap is highly moisturizing and can be made with natural ingredients, making it a great alternative to store-bought soaps. Making soaps and lotions can help you use up excess goat milk and potentially turn it into a small business venture.
Magipipe DIY Soap Making Kit for Adults and Kids, Handmade Soap Making Kit Supplies for Beginners with Pigment, Silicon Mold, Essential Oilhaclum Soap Making Kit for Adults and Kids – Soap Making Supplies with Melt & Pour Soap Base, Soap Loaf Molds, Cutting Box, Silicone Molds, Essential Oil & Fragrances Beginner DIY Craft KitsPIUH Deluxe Soap Making Kit for Soap Making,DIY Soap Making Full Set Kits Includes Soap Melter,4 lb Soap Base,8 Essencial Oils,Silicone Loaf Molds & Scraper,Cutter, 8 Dyestuffs for Adult & Kids Gift
#3. Starting a Beekeeping Project
If you have been considering beekeeping, winter is the perfect time to start planning and researching.
You can learn about the equipment needed and proper techniques for caring for bees and even order your bees to arrive in the spring. This fun project can add another area to your homestead and provide honey for your family and friends. You can also sell honey to bring in another source of income to your homestead.
#4. Make Candles From Beeswax
If you already have bees, a project to consider is making candles from beeswax. Not only are beeswax candles all-natural, but they also burn longer and cleaner than traditional paraffin candles. You can even experiment with adding essential oils for a custom scent.
Beekeeping Supplies:
Blisstime Beekeeping Supplies Tool Kit, 17 PCS Bee Hives and Supplies Starter Kit Beekeeper Starter KitPerKoop 3 Pack Beekeeping Log Book Beekeepers Tracking Journal Beehive Log Waterproof Bee Hive Inspection Notebook Gift for Beekeepers Honey Bee Farming Tracker, 4 x 7.5 InchMayBee Beehive Starter Kit 10-Frame Bee Boxes and Frames Starter Kit Wax Coated Bee Hives and Supplies Starter Kit Including Beekeepig Tools Kit with Beekeeping VeilHoney Harvesting Honey Strainer Beekeeping Tool Kit, Set of 9, Double Honey Sieve Stainless Steel Honey Filter, Honey Gate, Frame Grip, Uncapping Fork, Queen Marker Tube, Feeder, Honey Filter Bag
#5. Start Composting
Winter is a great time to start composting as there is typically an abundance of organic material available on the farm. Composting not only helps reduce waste but also creates nutrient-rich soil for your garden and crops in the spring.
You can use a variety of materials, such as manure, food scraps, and yard waste, to create a healthy and sustainable compost pile.
Winter is a great time to try out new projects on your homestead. From making oat milk soap and starting a beekeeping project to creating beeswax candles and starting a compost pile, there are endless opportunities for creativity and productivity during the winter months.
These projects not only add value to your homestead but also provide an enjoyable and fulfilling activity during the colder season.
