Winter is in full swing!

As winter marches on and on and temperatures drop deep this season, we hope to keep the tips coming to keep your homestead humming!

Around the Home – Check Foundations:
Rake away all debris and edible vegetation from the foundation of your home.
Seal up entry points to keep small animals from crawling under the house.

Tuck-point or seal foundation cracks. Mice can slip through space as thin as a dime.
Inspect sill plates for dry rot or pest infestation.

Secure crawlspace entrances.

Around the Garden – Time to Mulch:

Apply winter mulch to perennials where winter temperatures generally fall below minus 10 degrees F.

Simply lay lightweight cover of organic mulch, such as shredded autumn leaves, pine needles or straw, over beds to protect plants from winter’s extremes.
Avoid more compact mulches and whole leaves (which can mat), since they can suffocate plants. This leaves slimy ground and is not a good cover.

For the Animals – Extra Comfort:

Lay down extra bedding so that animals can rest in warmth and comfort.

Straw, tree bark or wood shavings provide a soft surface to sleep on as well as additional insulation.
Don’t use rugs or rags–they can absorb liquids and freeze. Those are not comfortable when wet!

So….now that you’ve braved the weather to check around the homestead…go grab some hot cocoa and snuggle by that fireplace! Take care of yourself too!

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, , recipes and more.

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. 
  , Bosch Mixers, the NutriMill, instructional tutorials, recipes and more. 

Fog on the Field

It’s kind of hard for me to get out in the fog and gray weather. All I want to do is sit by the fire and snuggle a kitty!

So today’s tip is – The show must go on!

Herbs need re-potting for wintering indoors, animals need feeding/cleaning/tending, windows need winterizing, vents need cleaning/closing, leaves and chestnut burrs (I hate those things) need raking and the show must go on.

If it would just actaully RAIN…then I’ll have more excuses to sit by that fire…(o:

Best Blessings!

Donna Miller

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 Organic and Chemical-free Whole Grains, , the NutriMill, instructional tutorials, recipes and more.