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I went into January assuming that I would have a month “off” from most homestead tasks. Turns out that if you’re not actively working on the farm, you’re still thinking about the farm, ha! Here’s what we accomplished around the homestead during the first few weeks of 2022:
+ Lots of ordering occurred this month! We will have 165 baby chicks (150 broilers and 15 hens) arriving in mid-March. I also ordered onion bunches, potato tubers, a few more seed packets for early spring crops and even preordered my tomato starts for May arrival. We also stocked up on hen feed and straw for the pigs. So happy to have all of that off of the to-do list, even though it was $$$.
+ I started planning what we’re going to plant and where. The new plan includes making at least two or three more in-ground beds and ramping up the amount we hope to yield. I would love to be able to grow enough to feed my family, have extra to put a little back and be able to supplement my animals, but that’s a huge goal.
+ After two growing seasons, I knew I needed to really get a good understanding of my soil. I ordered this soil test kit and need to brave the freezing temperatures (with snow on the ground!) to get my soil samples. Next month!
+ I watched a talk by Joel Salatin called “100s of Farm Animals and No Vet Bills” about homestead sanitation and how that helps healthy livestock. I was happy to see that we already implement many of his tips and tricks.
+ Our chickens are desperate for anything green (so much snow! so much mud!), so I tried growing fodder for the first time. I am following these instructions and my first batch should be ready next Monday. I have wheat seeds from True Leaf Market and I used their grow trays too. The process was a little fussy, but generally easy. I think it will be easier once I have more experience and confidence.
+ I dewormed the animals with an herbal formula recommended by Justin Rhodes. While we don’t have any active issues right now, I’d like to keep them on a maintenance schedule and January seemed like the right time to start. I love that I can use it with the chickens, the pigs and even our dog, Lucy!
Hello,
Have you planted apple trees? I am looking to add some dwarf trees to our backyard and was wondering if you had any recommendations.
God bless,
Natalie
Hi Natalie! Yes, we planted apple trees last year and got them through Fast Growing Trees. I was really impressed. Shipped super fast and securely and the trees were really healthy. They sometimes have sales and that helped with the cost. I don’t remember if they have dwarf varieties, but it’s worth the look. Hope that helps!
Piggies!! Oh goodness they are cute!
And let me tell you from experience, the meat that we got from the pig Josh’s parents raised is hands down the best pork, bacon, sausage (everything!) that I have ever eaten. It’s sooo good!!! It was expensive up front to butcher her, but worth every penny. And I love the comfort that comes from knowing I have a freezer full of meat that our family can live on for such a long time.
Yes! Totally understand what you mean about the peace of mind that comes with a freezer full of meat. We have felt that way with our chicken: all of that hard work last summer has fed us through the winter and it’s been so nice to have one less thing to worry about as prices keep going up. We are so excited to try our pork in a few months; two of the girls go to the butcher in June!