Well, we have a new year coming next week…
What does that mean to a farm?
The new year starts in the dead of winter, but there is still a lot to do!
If the temperature is above 50, I will refill feeders and put them on the bee hives so that they can replenish their “winter stores”.
I will continue to “dress” the growing beds from last year, and new beds for this year, with manure. As long as the ground is not frozen, the manure can leech into the ground, providing the nourishment that the soil desperately needs.
The chickens are still active, so I will continue to move their poultry netting, so that they have clean, fresh ground to forage on. It amazes me that, even in winter, when I give additional natural feed, they still manage to find bugs, grass, leaves and other “critters” to eat – and leave some of the feed untouched!
I still need to split wood for the wood stove, work on the inside of the house, repair and build new bee equipment, and work on other projects.
We are planning the beds for the coming spring, ordering seeds, fruit trees, berry bushes, flowers, herbs, spices for the garden beds and starting seeds for planting in the ground. We are also taking extra care of our pregnant animals (goats and dog) to make sure that the little ones coming will be healthy and strong.