January and February are the winter months in Texas. Winter always feels like it will never get here, and when it finally does, we want it to leave. The advantage is that we have months to get Winter ready despite the typical “winter months.” So… what makes a Farm so busy? Let me tell you some things we do on the farm and “How We Get Winter Ready.”
Despite the season, there is always a bustle of things to do. Keeping up with a farm means staying ahead of the game. Every year we have a big garden, full of flowers and vegetables…but mainly flowers (I’m obsessed with growing fresh flowers).
the to-do list
I remember when we moved to the country with four small kids, knowing life was busy, but having our farm would be “fun!” That was cute. Famous last words, haha. Our to-do list went from laundry and toy pick-up to laundry, toy pick-up, hay toting, weed pulling, lawn mowing, animal feeding, animal care, the animal’s structure care, and care of the things we just cared for 😅…the list goes on.
One of the most interesting parts of helping be Farmer Franny to Farmer Fred is that Farmer Fred does the work. It’s true… I come up with many ideas (many), and he follows through with almost all of them. If it wasn’t for him, there is no way I could sustain and have what we have. As Kevin (Farmer Fred) likes to put it, ” The idea of “we” doing this together is like “we” upside down, and it becomes “me.”” Ha! Well, I can’t say I haven’t tried. And, I certainly participate 110%.
First thing first, to get winter ready.
If the weather didn’t remove all the flowers and plants in the garden, it’s time to pull them! My husband loves to use the tractor to take it down swiftly, with a tiller or bush hog, but this will be gone soon as we become a NO-till Farm.
I have done extensive research on No-till and can see obvious rewards for better soil health and less maintenance. So, we started by raking in Ryegrass as a cover crop for the main garden. I contemplated planting clover as a cover crop because it would give great nutrients to the soil and build a firm but soft ground. Rye was readily available and gives the soil a ton of nitrogen, so there it is. We used Ryegrass this year. Here is a photo of some of the garden with Winter Rye. 👇
Getting Raised Beds Winter Ready…
This is important as raised beds will be more exposed to weather. Due to their height off the ground, you’ll see your soil drying out faster and losing soil faster (especially as it settles each year). The most important part is pulling up anything valuable (bulbs, corms, tubers, etc.) that needs to be stored. Then, dispose of anything that has died or sticks that don’t belong.
The best thing I have found to protect your raised bed soil is mulch. I still add compost here and there throughout the season, but a thick layer of mulch will protect the (expensive) soil from eroding or becoming hard to work with. The mulch will actually start to break down and keep weeds out (by not exposing it to light) and also become a great base for compost when it’s time to plant again. I will even put layers of boxes below the mulch to help give extra protection. Through the weather, it will all break down and need compost.
Anything that I dispose of, I immediately put into the compost bin. Sticks (small), leaves, soil from old containers, and even weeds (without seeds) can become part of your compost. This will continue to add value and diversity to the compost, and by the time the new season comes, you will have a great pile of FREE compost! I love what the biodiversity of soil can do for you. (##nerd alert!!)
Animals and Getting Winter Ready…
This is actually tricky sometimes. I certainly don’t like having to check on animals three or four times a day while it’s below freezing. So, I make sure they are truly winter-ready with lots of bedding, food, shelter, and good water.
The chicken coop gets a whole bail of hay in and of itself. The cows get hay to lay in (in a shelter barn) and round hay bails that they need at least weekly. When you’re done doing these chores, you look like a scarecrow yourself…covered with hay from hair to shoe. It’s pretty attractive (haha) but worth the hard work. If you get them where they have resources, you can sit by the fire and know all is well with the furry friends (and not look like Olaf below 👇).
Farm vs. Thug life.
Growing up in Dallas made me realize that Thug’s life is nothing compared to what God has prepared for you right outside your doors. This might be hard work, but it is worth every last blister and jean chaffing that may occur.
Although I have no idea what Thug Life even is…I like to think of myself as a very knowledgeable city girl. I also don’t have experience with prison or jail…although I do work 12-hour shifts as a nurse, and I heard it’s similar 😜. I’m kidding!
Take it from me…life is good…keep it uncomplicated. Now, tell me about your Farm! Ahh….😍.
Yours truly,
Lisa (aka Farmer Franny in association with Farmer Fred-who is a very hard worker 😍)