Preparing Your Homestead or Farm for Spring: A Step-by-Step Guide for a Productive Season
As the cold becomes a distant memory, spring offers homesteaders a fresh start, as well as a busy few weeks. It's a season of planning, planting, and preparing your land, animals, and home for the months ahead. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned farmer, getting a jump on spring chores sets the tone for a successful year. Here’s your practical guide to preparing your homestead for spring.
Inspect and Repair Winter Damage
Start by walking your property:
Fences: Check for fallen posts or broken electric wire.
Barns & Coops: Look for leaks, structural damage, or needed replacements. It’s time to pull out those chicken tractors, before your first shipment of meat birds arrive. Do any repairs now.
Tools & Equipment: Sharpen blades, grease moving parts, and test engines on mowers, tillers, and tractors.
Winter can be tough on buildings and infrastructure. It’s better to be proactive and fix things now than waiting for when they’re needed.
Deep Clean Animal Areas
Now’s the time to give coops, run ins and stalls a deep clean:
Did you do the deep litter method over the winter? Remove old bedding and replace with fresh straw or wood shavings.
Scrub out waterers, feeders, and any other equipment.
Inspect animals for winter-related health issues like hoof rot, parasites, or weight loss.
I also like to pull out the pressure washer on the first couple warm days and give things a once over.
Plan & Prep Your Garden
Before you plant, plan. This year I am using seedtime.us This website is making planning my garden easy.
Set Your Seasonal Goals
Don’t forget to look at the big picture. What do you want to accomplish this spring? Are you expanding your garden, getting new animals, or building a structure? Make a list and cross off as things get done. It is satisfying to visually see things get removed from your workload
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Chaos of Spring
Spring on the homestead is more than just chores, it’s a renewal. The days grow longer, the soil comes alive, and your farm starts humming with potential. With a little planning and a lot of enthusiasm, you’ll be ready to meet the season head-on. Pull on your boots, grab your gloves, and let the season of growth begin!