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- Get Your Equipment Cold-Weather Ready + Handling Homestead Hiccups
Get Your Equipment Cold-Weather Ready + Handling Homestead Hiccups
Also, is it more beneficial for homesteaders to use cover crops to replenish the soil naturally, or rely on organic fertilizers to save time and effort?
Cedie Omaña
November 03, 2024
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"Homesteading is about turning what you have into what you need."
— Anonymous
HOMESTEAD TIP OF THE DAY
Seal up garden sheds, garages, and storage areas to keep out mice, raccoons, and other critters looking for a winter home.
Is it more beneficial for homesteaders to use cover crops to replenish the soil naturally, or rely on organic fertilizers to save time and effort? |
IN TODAY'S EDITION
Homestead Tip 🌱
Poll Results From Last Thursday 📊
All Things Homestead: Winterizing Small Engines and Machines 🚜
Personal Development: Handling Homestead Failures: How to Bounce Back When Things Go Wrong 🧡
Today's Top Picks 🛍️
Let’s Keep It Reel 🤣
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
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POLL RESULTS FROM LAST THURSDAY
Should homesteaders build permanent, long-lasting structures on their land, or focus on modular or portable buildings that offer flexibility?
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Permanent structures provide long-term stability and should be prioritized.
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Modular or portable buildings offer more flexibility and adaptability.
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 A combination of permanent and portable buildings is ideal.
🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ It depends on the homestead’s long-term plans and budget.
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Others (Feel free to specify your answer after you've voted.)
via @beehiiv polls
Feel free to participate in fun polls in our next newsletters! 😉
ALL THINGS HOMESTEAD
Winterizing Small Engines and Machines 🚜
When the colder months roll in, it's time to think about how to store your lawn mowers, tillers, and other small machines. Here's a simple guide to winterizing your equipment and keeping everything in good shape during the off-season.
1. Handle the Fuel: Drain or Stabilize It
Leaving old fuel in your machines over winter can cause serious problems. Gas can break down, clogging up your engine and making it hard to start in the spring. You have two easy options to deal with this:
Run the machine dry: Let it run until all the gas is burned off. This way, there’s nothing left behind to gum up the engine.
Add a fuel stabilizer: If you’d rather leave fuel in the tank, mix in a stabilizer to keep it fresh and prevent it from breaking down.
Quick Tip: After adding a stabilizer, run the engine for a few minutes to make sure it gets through the system.
2. Change the Oil and Filters
Before storing your machines, it's a great time to do some basic maintenance, like changing the oil. Fresh oil keeps everything running smoothly, and new filters can prevent clogs when you need the machine again.
Swap out the oil: Drain the old oil and add fresh oil.
Replace filters: Check the oil and air filters. If they’re dirty, it’s worth replacing them now.
By doing this, you’ll avoid hassle in the spring and make sure your equipment is in good shape.
3. Take Out the Battery and Store It Indoors
For machines with batteries, cold weather can shorten their life or kill them completely. The best way to protect them is by storing them inside.
Disconnect the battery: Remove it from the machine to avoid draining it during storage.
Store it somewhere warm: Keep the battery in a dry, indoor spot to protect it from freezing temperatures.
Pro Tip: Check the battery charge every now and then. If it drops too low, give it a quick charge to keep it healthy.
4. Cover and Store the Equipment
Once you’ve taken care of the fuel, oil, and battery, it’s time to cover your machines and put them away. Dust and moisture can cause rust or other damage, so proper storage is key.
Use covers or tarps: Cover your machines with a tarp or special covers to keep dirt, moisture, and critters away.
Find a dry spot: If you have a shed or garage, it’s the best place to store them. If not, a well-covered outdoor spot will work too.
Why Winterizing Matters
Taking these steps may seem like extra work, but it’s worth it. If you don’t winterize, you might face dead batteries, clogged engines, and frustrating repairs in the spring. A little time spent now keeps your machines in good condition and ready to go when warmer weather returns.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Handling Homestead Failures: How to Bounce Back When Things Go Wrong 🧡
Let’s face it—homesteading isn’t always smooth sailing. Whether it’s crops failing, animals getting sick, or unexpected weather ruining your plans, setbacks are part of the homesteading life. The good news? You can handle these challenges and come out stronger. Here’s how.
1. Why Failures Happen (and Why That’s Okay)
Failures are a natural part of homesteading. You’re dealing with nature, and nature can be unpredictable. Things like bad weather, pests, or animal issues are bound to happen, and that’s totally normal.
Every homesteader, especially beginners, faces challenges. Whether your crops fail or a predator attacks your chickens, know that you’re not alone. These experiences are how you learn and grow.
2. Dealing with Crop Failures
It’s heartbreaking when your plants don’t thrive. Common problems include pests, diseases, and poor soil health. Weather issues, like too much rain or not enough, can also mess up your harvest.
Here’s What You Can Do:
Healthy Soil: Focus on enriching your soil with compost and mulch to give your plants the best chance.
Natural Pest Control: Try companion planting or encouraging beneficial insects to keep pests in check.
Adapt to the Climate: Choose crops that suit your local weather, and use row covers or shade cloth to protect them.
If a crop fails, don’t lose hope. Consider planting fast-growing veggies like radishes or lettuce to salvage some of your season.
3. Weather-Related Failures
Weather is one of the hardest things to control. Frost, drought, or storms can all wreak havoc on your homestead.
Prevention Tips:
Frost Protection: Use frost blankets or row covers to protect your crops during cold snaps.
Water Management: In drought, try collecting rainwater or using drip irrigation. If it's too wet, make sure your garden has proper drainage.
Wind Protection: Set up windbreaks like shrubs or fences to protect your plants and animals from harsh winds.
If a storm hits, focus on saving what you can and repairing any damage to your setup, like fences or shelters.
4. Handling Animal Care Issues
Dealing with animals can be tricky. Whether it’s a health issue, a predator attack, or just stubborn behavior, caring for livestock brings unique challenges.
How to Prepare:
Health Checks: Regularly monitor your animals and keep up with vaccinations.
Predator Proofing: Secure your coops and barns with solid fencing and consider adding motion-activated lights or electric fences.
Behavior Troubles: Sometimes animals act up—like chickens not laying eggs or goats being stubborn. Learn about their behavior to manage these challenges better.
If something goes wrong, be ready to act quickly. Isolate sick animals, treat health problems, and strengthen your defenses against predators.
5. Developing a Resilient Mindset
Homestead failures can be tough on your emotions. It’s easy to feel frustrated or discouraged, but resilience is key to moving forward.
How to Stay Resilient:
Growth Mindset: Look at failures as learning opportunities. Every challenge makes you a better homesteader.
Journaling: Keep a journal to track your progress, what you’ve learned, and even the small wins.
Community Support: Lean on other homesteaders. Whether online or through local groups, sharing your experiences helps you feel less alone.
THE STEADY HOME’S GIGGLE CHAMBER
How do pumpkins cheer up when they’re down?
They carve out some time for fun.
LET’S KEEP IT REEL!
I've put together some fantastic farm videos that are sure to make you laugh. Take a look and enjoy the fun!
When you think you're the drama queen, but your peace lilies steal the show:
@peace_lily93 Peace lilies are dramatic AF 🤣🤣 #planttuber #youtuber #funnyvideo #fyp #plantsoftiktok #plantmom #plantparent #peacelily #plantmom #jersey... See more
No words needed—just some fainting goats! 😂 No worries, that's totally normal:
@incredibleanimalsoff I Love My Fainting Goats 😂 #goats
Just your everyday duck yapper:
@ladducks 🤣 Ok let me tell you ... #haha #funnyanimals #ducks #quack #asmr #ducksounds #weekendvibes #sundayfunday #weekendmood #foryou #fypシ #speec... See more
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