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 will need 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 garden, to insulating livestock shelters, building greenhouses, and more – there are plenty of tasks that will help keep you busy while the crops 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.
Winter Homestead Projects
During the winter months, homesteaders have a unique opportunity to focus on projects that will benefit their land and animals. The colder weather may limit outdoor activities, but it also allows for more time indoors to plan, research, and prepare for the upcoming seasons.
Animal Care in the Cold Weather
Write a short paragraph that introduces what tasks will need to be done no matter what the weather is outside.
No matter what the weather may bring, taking care of your animals should always be a top priority for homesteaders during the winter months.
Daily Animal Care Tasks:
- Feed and water all livestock
- Replenish hay
- Spot clean bedding
- Collect eggs
- Routinely check shelters
- Inspecting body conditions
- Administering first aid and care
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.
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.
Starting Seeds Indoors
Winter is also a great time to start seeds indoors. This can give you a head start on your spring planting and help extend your growing season. You can use a variety of containers, such as egg cartons, paper cups, or seed starting trays, to hold the seeds until they are ready to be transplanted outside. Make sure to provide adequate light, warmth, and moisture for the seeds to germinate successfully.
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 out 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)
Animal Husbandry 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, creating grazing plans, or researching new breeds to add to your homestead.
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.
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 just making room for them in existing structures.
Learning New Animal Husbandry Skills
Winter is a great opportunity to expand your knowledge and learn new skills related to animal husbandry. 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.
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.
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.
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. It also makes it easier to track inventory and ensure that all animals are receiving the proper nutrition they need.
Building 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.
New Ventures
Winter is not just a time for maintaining and improving existing aspects of your homestead, 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.
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 cost-effective way of increasing your flock and allows you to control the breeding process. With proper research and preparation, you can successfully hatch eggs in the winter months and have new chicks or ducklings ready for spring.
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
Make Soap From Your Goat Milk
Another potential project for winter is making soap from your goat milk. Goat milk soap is highly moisturizing and can be made with natural ingredients, making it a great alternative to store-bought soaps. This is also a great way to utilize excess goat milk and potentially turn it into a small business venture.
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 and rewarding project can add diversity to your homestead and provide honey for your family and friends.
Make Candles From Beeswax
If you already have bees, a project to consider is making candles from beeswax. This can be a simple and enjoyable process that adds a cozy touch to your homestead during the winter months. 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
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 it 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.
More Homesteading Resources:
