Preparing Fences for Winter Weather + Learn How to Stay "Rooted" in Uncertain Times

IN TODAY'S EDITION

1. Homestead Tip 🌱

2. Poll Results From Last Tuesday 📊

3. All Things Homestead: Building and Maintaining Fences, Gates, and Borders for Winter on the Homestead 🔨

4. Personal Development: Rootedness: Finding Stability in Uncertain Times 🤎

5. Today's Top Picks 🛍️

6. Let’s Keep It Reel 🤣

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

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POLL RESULTS FROM LAST TUESDAY

How do you see December on a homestead: a time for intentional slowdown or a final push before the year ends?

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ December is a dedicated time to slow down and appreciate the year.

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ December is when I push to finish projects before year-end.

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 A mix of slowing down and completing last tasks.

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ December is just another month in my steady homesteading pace.

via @beehiiv polls

Feel free to participate in fun polls in our next newsletters! 😉

Also, follow us on Facebook and Pinterest for daily homesteading inspiration and updates.

ALL THINGS HOMESTEAD

Building and Maintaining Fences, Gates, and Borders for Winter on the Homestead 🔨

inter can be hard on your homestead fences, gates, and borders. The cold, snow, and ice are tough on materials, so a little prep goes a long way. With the right steps, you can keep your fences and gates sturdy and ready to take on the season.

Here’s how to choose materials, prepare for the cold, and handle repairs so your homestead stays safe and secure.

1. Choosing Winter-Ready Fence Materials

The type of materials you use makes a big difference when it comes to handling winter weather. Here’s a look at some popular fencing materials and what you need to know about each for cold climates:

• Wood Fencing: Wood fences are classic and look great on any homestead. They’re also pretty easy to repair. But wood can swell, crack, and even rot if it’s not treated well. Cedar, redwood, and pressure-treated pine are good choices since they naturally resist moisture and decay better than other types of wood.

• Metal Fencing (Wrought Iron or Aluminum): Metal fencing is strong and generally low-maintenance, but it can rust in wet, cold weather. If you’re going with metal, look for galvanized or powder-coated options, which have extra layers of protection against rust.

• Vinyl Fencing: Vinyl fences are durable and weather-resistant, which makes them low-maintenance. However, extreme cold can make vinyl brittle and prone to cracking. If you live in a very cold area, look for UV-stabilized and cold-weather-rated vinyl, which is designed to handle winter better.

Choosing Gate Hardware: Cold weather can make hinges and latches freeze up or rust, so go with stainless steel or galvanized steel hardware. Heavy-duty latches are best since they won’t get stuck as easily when temperatures drop.

2. Pre-Winter Maintenance Checks

Before the first big snowfall, take a walk around your fences and gates to spot any issues. Here’s what to look for and how to handle it:

• Inspect for Damage: Check for cracks, rotting wood, rust, loose nails, and insect damage. Give each post and gate a shake to test stability—if it’s wobbly, it may need reinforcement or repairs.

• Reinforce Fence Posts: If any posts feel loose, dig about 6 inches around the post and pack the area with gravel and soil to secure it. If you need extra stability, use concrete, but slope it away from the post to prevent water pooling and freezing at the base.

• Clean and Seal Wood Fences: Dirt and mold can weaken wood over time, so give your wood fences a good cleaning. A mild detergent solution or a low-power pressure wash works well. After cleaning, apply a water-repellent, UV-resistant sealer to protect the wood from moisture before winter hits.

• Prevent Rust on Metal Fences: If you spot any rust, scrub it off with a wire brush. Then, apply a rust inhibitor spray to keep rust from returning, and if needed, add a fresh coat of weather-resistant paint.

• Check Vinyl Fences for Cracks: Small cracks can get worse in the cold, so seal minor cracks with UV-resistant silicone. For larger cracks, it’s best to replace the panel to prevent further breakage in freezing weather.

3. Winter-Proofing Techniques

Once your fences and gates are inspected and prepped, there are a few extra steps to make sure they’ll hold up through winter storms.

• Weatherproofing Wood Fences: Adding caps to the tops of wooden posts can prevent water from soaking in and freezing, which leads to cracking. If you live in a windy area, you can also add angled bracing to your fence to keep it from swaying or snapping in strong winds. And in areas with heavy snow, consider using a temporary snow fence to redirect drifts away from your main fence.

• Winter-Proofing Metal Fences: Give metal fences an extra coat of rust-proof paint before winter to add another layer of protection. Also, lubricate all hinges and latches with a lithium or silicone-based lubricant so they won’t freeze up.

• Preparing Gates for Winter: Double-check that your gates swing freely and latch properly. If your gate has shifted or started sagging, adjust the hinges and latches to align it. For gates attached to a barn or other structure, weather-stripping around the edges can help keep out cold drafts. Make sure all anchor points are tightly secured, and consider using metal brackets on high-stress areas like the gate frame.

4. DIY Fixes for Common Winter Damage

Even with the best preparation, winter can bring unexpected damage. Here are some simple fixes for common issues:

• Fixing Loose Panels and Boards: If you notice loose boards or panels, secure them with weather-resistant screws or nails. For boards that are cracked or broken, it’s best to replace them with treated wood of the same thickness to keep the fence sturdy.

• Repairing Fence Posts in Frozen Ground: If you need to replace a post and the ground is frozen, pour hot water around the base to soften the ground a bit. Then, remove the post and replace it with a new, pressure-treated one. Use gravel or concrete to secure it in place.

• Realigning and Lubricating Gate Hardware: Gates can shift over time, especially with changing weather. If your gate is out of alignment, adjust the hinges, then apply some lubricant to keep it working smoothly. This small step will save you frustration every time you open and close the gate.

• Repairing Vinyl Fence Cracks: Small cracks in vinyl can be sealed with UV-resistant silicone, which is flexible and holds up well in cold weather. If the damage is more extensive, it’s often better to replace the panel entirely to prevent bigger issues as temperatures drop.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Rootedness: Finding Stability in Uncertain Times 🤎

Today, we’re going to talk about “rootedness”—how we can find stability even when life feels unpredictable. Homesteading gives us a special connection to the land, but it also has its challenges.

Just like plants need strong roots to grow and survive, we need our own sense of grounding to face tough times.

Roots as a Metaphor for Stability

Let’s start by thinking about how plant roots work. Roots do three main things: they anchor the plant, absorb nutrients, and store energy. They dig deep or spread out wide, helping plants stay upright even when storms hit. Like roots, we also need something to ground us and keep us steady.

• Deep Roots vs. Shallow Roots: Some plants have deep roots, like carrots or trees with taproots, which anchor them strongly in place. Other plants, like grass, have shallow roots that spread wide to find stability. In our lives, sometimes we need to dig deep into certain values or routines to feel stable, while other times we spread our focus across several areas to find balance.

• Roots and Adaptability: Roots grow based on their environment. They adjust to what’s available—more water, less sunlight, rocky soil. Similarly, we adapt to our own circumstances, finding ways to thrive even when life throws us curveballs. Our roots, or sources of stability, might change depending on our needs and environment.

What Roots Can Teach Us About Finding Stability

Roots have a lot to show us about how to find balance and stay grounded. Here are some of the ways we can apply root-like qualities to our own lives:

• Anchoring for Stability: Just as roots keep plants anchored in the soil, we need grounding practices that give us a sense of stability. This might be daily routines, spending time outdoors, or small rituals that make us feel calm. Anchoring ourselves in something familiar helps us feel less shaken during uncertain times.

• Absorbing ‘Nutrients’: Roots pull in water and nutrients from the soil, just like we “absorb” things from our environment. Good relationships, hobbies, and learning are the nutrients that help us grow and feel more fulfilled. Spending time with supportive people, learning a new skill, or doing something you love all help you feel “fed” and energized.

• Storing Energy for Tough Times: Roots also store energy for when resources are low. We can do the same by building up our emotional reserves. This might mean practicing self-care, taking breaks when needed, and doing things that recharge us. These reserves help us handle stress better when times get tough.

Building a Routine That Keeps You Grounded

A steady routine can help you feel more rooted and calm. Here are some ideas for creating a “rooted” routine:

• Create a Daily Homestead Routine: Homesteading itself has a lot of built-in routines that can help you feel grounded. Doing simple tasks each day, like feeding animals, walking around your garden, or watering plants, creates a sense of purpose. These small, regular activities are a great way to start or end each day with a feeling of accomplishment.

• Practice Mindfulness in Nature: Spend time noticing the natural world around you. You can take off your shoes and feel the earth under your feet, or simply sit outside and listen to the sounds around you. Observing the little details of nature can bring you into the present moment and make you feel more connected to your surroundings.

• Build a Positive Environment: Just as plants grow best in good soil, we thrive in a positive environment. This means reducing negativity and surrounding ourselves with supportive people. Create or join a community that uplifts you, whether that’s in person or online. Being around others who “get” what you’re going through helps you feel more supported.

• Absorb Positive ‘Nutrients’ for Growth: Find small ways to keep growing, like learning a new skill or reading about topics you’re interested in. Being part of a homesteading group, taking online courses, or practicing a craft all bring new “nutrients” into your life that keep you energized and curious.

Visualization Exercise: Growing Your Roots

Let’s try a simple visualization exercise. Close your eyes and imagine yourself as a strong, steady tree. Picture your roots spreading wide and deep into the ground, holding you securely. Imagine these roots absorbing everything you need to feel stable and strong—support, love, wisdom, and calm.

Now think about what “feeds” you in life. Is it spending time with family? Being outdoors? Learning something new? Consider how you can strengthen these “roots” in your life. By focusing on what truly nourishes you, you create stability that will help you stand strong even during life’s storms.

THE STEADY HOME’S GIGGLE CHAMBER

How does an elf garden in the winter?

With jingle-bells on.

TODAY'S TOP PICKS

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!

1. You’ve probably never seen a goat this playful and full of energy:

@guardiansoftheanimals

why’d he jump on his friends like that😂 #goat🐐 #funn #goatsoftiktok #jumpingchallenge #adhdtiktok #crazy #crazygoat

2. This is totally me every single day, lol!

@willcreate24

Searching for the veggies like… #funny #hilarious #comical #joke #fail #failvideo #funnyvideos #funnymemes #gardentok #gardening #garden #... See more

3. Hey, sometimes we’ve got to make a few sacrifices for our plant babies, right?

@sassymomma1101

I was not built for this kind of heat. 🥵😤 #foryou #funny #gardening #fypシ゚viral #momsoftiktok #plantsoftiktok #dark #summervibes #toohot #... See more

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