What are you all doing to prepare for winter?

[baymule]

@baymule Thank you! I'll have a look

Oops! Forgot to post the link to the barn and porch thread!


http://www.theeasygarden.com/threads/barn-and-new-porch.18460/

 

[Beekissed]

All of our winter prep chores have paid off and continue to do so. The winter has finally come and the wood supplies are good to have. The coop is cozy and warmed from the composting DL and sunlight through the clear tarp. The dog's dens are stuffed with hay and well insulated against the cold and their lounge area is full of hay and leaves.

The canned chicken, deer and veggies are warming us with hearty soups and stews.

The thick layer of wood chips and leaves on the garden are keeping the soil there warmed and active with earthworms, which are busy helping with the composting of those materials. The same is happening with the leaves and chips around the apple trees and perennial beds.

Just a few more months and we start the year of seasons all over again, growing and storing all spring/summer/fall for the winter ahead. I LOVE this life lived by the seasons and always have. The rhythm of seasonal chores is comforting and satisfying to perform and gives a peace in the heart and mind when thinking of cold months ahead.

 

[sumi]

Thanks @baymule! I'll have some idle time next week, then I'll sit down and read everything

@Beekissed that sounds wonderful...

 

[Mini Horses]

Our winter has been much warmer than norm but we have had some cold which has (thankfully!) only lasted a couple days at a time. Those preps for winter have been appreciated by self and all animals. The ONLY one that has been challenged is the insulated wrap on the only water pipe on the outside and North side of barn -- the goaties seem to feel thay need to use that as a plaything! So, yesterday was 60 out -- I moved them from this yard/barn area to another. Entirely re-wrapped the pipe & it's heat tape...this time I then wrapped all of THAT with two layers of hardware wire, secured together with heavy wire. Then A heavy pvc bucket that was cut to fit over, around and down to the wire, for the spigot area. EAT THRU THAT!!!!! All was in same shape this AM.

They are in this area because 3 of the 7 does are due to kid soon....day 145 is Wed the 20th....and our temps are predicted to come back into mid 40 days then thru next 5 days. Since we are to have teen nights & 28-30 days prior to that, I am hoping they hold until days 148-150!! 2 are FF -- here they have a large barn area, well bedded, sufficient lights & electric if I need more....plus a door that opens into barn with stalls. I can use just one cam to watch them from inside.

Today, cold rain!! They are eating hay in nice dry lounge area. Everyone is in their barns, actually. Even the pigs.

I love seasonal changes but could really, really, do without so much winter(even tho the kill of bugs/stuff is needed) and this year we have had that -- so far.

Last two days I helped DD haul in more wood -- all seasoned over a year -- from some woods, cut, stack & some splitting. Boy, that oak is hard!!! A friend let me go onto her land and get large limbs, crooked trees that the timberers left last Spring as they were not straight enough, etc. Great free wood and ready to burn.

This time of year we all get anxious about coming Spring, gardens, new animal babies, etc. It's hard to relax, right? I should start doing some sewing and needlework like I used to do -- helps fill waiting "time".

 

[Mini Horses]

I was on computer for past hr.....since I posted above....just went to kitchen for coffee, look out window and the cold rain is now ......SNOW We are talking 1/2" of white and huge flakes falling heavy, fast and unwanted!!!!!!!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

UGH - Snow....

 

[Beekissed]

That's so funny....I woke up and saw snow showers and thanked God for it! I've been praying for more snow and cold temps for the winter so the garden season will be better, so seeing snow is an answer to prayer here at my place.

We haven't had a really good snow this year but I'm praying for one...one good, heavy, lovely, soft and frosty snow that sticks around awhile.

Funny how we all see the same things in a different light, isn't it?

 

[sumi]

I'm afraid I'm with @Beekissed here. I love snow! But then we're not used to it, so it's exiting for us. I think the novelty will wear off over the next few years though.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Don't get me wrong - I love snow! We rarely get it here, but....but we've had so much rain here the last year or so, that it just means more wetness... and these days another drop of 'wetness' is too much of a good thing! I just want some beautiful, God given sunshine for awhile!

 

[sumi]

We had record breaking rainfall here in December. Some flooding in places, roads under water, farms under water. Most of it's soaked away now, thankfully.