Archive for November, 2009
More winterizing plans for the homestead
November 30th, 2009
More tips to winterize around your homestead…
Inside the home:
Specific to your Furnace…
- Call an HVAC professional to inspect your furnace and clean ducts.
Stock up on furnace filters and change them monthly.
Consider switching out your thermostat for a programmable thermostat.
Remove all flammable material from the area surrounding your furnace.
Outside the home:
- Trim trees if branches hang too close to the house or electrical wires.
Ask a gardener when your trees should be pruned to prevent winter injury.
Plant spring flower bulbs and lift bulbs that cannot winter over such as dahlias in areas where the ground freezes.
Seal driveways, brick patios and wood decks.
Don’t automatically remove dead vegetation from gardens, as some provide attractive scenery in an otherwise dreary, snow-drenched yard.
Move sensitive potted plants indoors or to a sheltered area.
In the Garden:
- It’s time to rake leaves and dispose of them, preferably in a compost heap. Failing to rake leaves can result in a dying or diseased lawn and garden.
For the Animals:
- Clean the floor of the pen daily or design it in such a way that it drains properly.
Consider using translucent fiberglass roofing to allow maximum heat retention, if your budget allows.
Until next tip –
Best Blessings!
The Millers
Donna Miller is an author, teacher and entrepreneur. Her favorite roles are that of wife and mother to three home-school graduates. The Millers own and operate Millers Grain House which offers Chemical Free and Organic Grains, Grain Mills, Bread Machines, Grain buckets, Bosch Mixers, the NutriMill, instructional tutorials, recipes and more.
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Some Winterizing Plans on the Homestead
November 9th, 2009
It won’t be long until many of us who live on homesteads will be facing the winter in full force. Over the next few posts, we would like to give some ‘tips’ to help you winterize in the areas of your home/house, your garden and your animals (pets & stock).
If you’ve not started, or you are new to an area that has harsher winters, or new to homesteading, these will be some ‘bite-sized’ tips to get the ball rolling. There’s no time to waste, though, because ole man winter is soon to come a-knockin’.
First tips:
In your Home:
Check the Exterior, Door and Windows
•Inspect exterior for crevice cracks and exposed entry points around pipes; seal them.
•Use weather stripping around doors to prevent cold air from entering the home, heat escaping and caulk windows.
•Replace cracked glass in windows. If you end up replacing the entire window, prime and paint exposed wood well before the wet freezing weather arrives.
•If your home has a basement, consider protecting its window wells by covering them with plastic shields to keep weighty snow from crashing in.
•Switch out summer screens with plexi-glass replacements from storage. If you have storm windows, install them now.
In your Garden & Lawn Equipment:
Now is the time to look a head and plant spring-blooming bulbs such as tulips and daffodils. Plant them any time from September in colder regions through December in warmer climates – as long as the ground can be easily worked.
A thorough cleaning of equipment to remove dirt, grass clippings, etc. will prevent rust and corrosion and will reveal any damaged or worn parts that may need replacing.
For your Animals:
Make sure the pen is located in an area where the animals will be protected from harsh winds and, preferably, exposed to the early morning sun. You may want to consider building a special winter pen for your animals in a better location if necessary. South- or south-east facing shelters are ideal in the winter.
Until next tip –
Best Blessings!
The Millers
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