As the days begin to lengthen and the chill of winter slowly starts to fade, it's time to turn our attention to the impending gardening season. For busy homesteading moms, finding the balance between daily responsibilities and preparing for the bounty of spring can be a challenge. But fear not! With this article and a little strategic planning to go along with some time management, you can get your homestead ready for the season ahead.
Focusing on 5 different essential areas; Indoor Cleaning, Outdoor Cleaning, Garden Preparation, Maintenance and Self-care you will have a checklist of essential tasks to tackle in the coming weeks.
1. Indoor Cleaning
Now is the time to get that spring cleaning done. When the days are still a little too cold to be outside take the time to start preparing the inside of your home.
General Declutter and Organize:
Is there a room or space you have just been dumping things? For me is the basement so I start there. Start by tackling one room at a time, decluttering and organizing as you go. Donate clothes that you and your kids have outgrown. Pay extra attention to your kitchen drawers and cupboards making sure your favorite canning utensils are there and in good working order. Make note of anything that needs to be repaired or replaced. Use my "Cold-room and Freezer Inventory worksheets" to help you manage your food stock inventory and prepare for the growing season. You can get it for FREE by clicking on the "Buy Now" link.
Deep Clean:
This is when the fun starts. Empty out that fridge and wipe down all surfaces making sure to throw out that old jar of "something" rotting in the back. Dust and wipe all your bookshelves, ceiling fans, dressers and other surfaces that might have collected dust. Move your couch, fridge and stove to clean the floors under them and don't forget to clean those light fixtures.
Windows and Blinds:
Clean windows inside and out if possible. Wipe your window sill and blinds or wash your curtains and hang them out on the line to dry. Check your screens to make sure they are in good working order for the summer. Make a note of any rips or tears that will need to be repaired.
2. Outdoor Cleaning
While most days are still too cool sometimes we get a break, the sun will come out the wind will die down and the temperature will rise just above 5 degrees making it the perfect day to head outside.
Clear Debris:
Remove any fallen branches, leaves or other debris that might have blown into your yard over the winter. Check all downspouts to ensure all are clear of debris and in good working order before the spring showers start.
Walk Your Property:
Walk the perimeter of your property. Depending on the size of your lot this might have to be done over a few days. Check for any damage to fences, gates and trees. Make a note of any necessary repairs.
3. Garden Preparation:
This is my favorite part, starting to plan for the upcoming growing season. If you are new to gardening, be sure to check out my COMPLETE beginner guide "FROM SEED TO HARVEST". Get a copy now from using the link be
Prepping Soil:
Inspect your garden beds and raised beds. Make a note of any that will need more soil due to erosion. Test your soil pH using a home soil kit like this one.
Calculate what you will need for fertilizer and plan ahead. Lay down cardboard on any growing areas that tend to have an abundance of weeds or where you plan to put any new beds. This will kill them before the garden season starts.
Start Seeds:
Begin sowing seeds indoors for vegetables, herbs and flowers that require an early start. There will be more about this in "SEED TO HARVEST".
Plan Your Garden:
Review your garden layout and plan for a rotation to maintain soil health and prevent disease buildup. Use my Cold Room and Freezer Inventory worksheet to help you plan exactly what you need to plant to can certain items and stock the shelves in your cold room.
4. Maintenance and Repairs
This is when are take a look at all those notes you made during steps 1, 2, and 3. List out supplies needed and check the weather to know what days will be best for making the repairs that are needed.
Check Tools and Equipment:
Inspect all your gardening tools, such as shovels, rakes and hoses for any damage over the winter. Clean and sharpen tools as needed and replace any broken or worn-out parts.
Service Machinery:
If you have a lawn mower, tiller, tractor, chainsaw or other gardening machinery that you use regularly, schedule a tune-up or check them out yourself and make sure they are ready to use and will start.
Repairs:
Focus on your lists and work towards getting the repairs done when the weather permits for the work needed. If you have to pay to have repairs done, space the work out so it's not a large hit to your wallet all at one time.
5. Self-Care and Reflect
This is probably the most important thing you can do. Focus on making little changes in your day that allow you space to just be, to fill your cup.
Reflect:
Take the time to remember last spring and summer, did you take on too much? Did you feel overwhelmed or run down from your workload? Remember what worked and what didn't and come up with a list of things you can change this year to help you from feeling overloaded. Whether it is reducing your workload by removing some things or delegating work to another family member you will have to come up with a way to make sure you don't burn out.
Schedule Breaks:
Remember you are entitled to breaks too and you should be taking time to rest and recharge every day. Whether it's enjoying a cup of tea in the sunshine, simply reading a book after lunch or taking a leisurely walk around your property, self-care is essential for maintaining balance.
Practice Mindfulness:
Being a homesteader means you are probably around nature a lot but sometimes it is easy to forget just how beautiful it is. Take the time each day to appreciate the beauty of nature that surrounds you. For me, this means using a gratitude journal. I like this one from Amazon:
Each morning, the kids and I will write down 3 things we are thankful for. This has been extremely helpful in setting the tone of the day and forced us to find 3 things we are thankful for like watching the sunrise, seeing a new bud on our favourite plant or even just having a sunny day to be outside, mindfulness can help reduce stress and increase overall well-being.
Set up for Success
By tackling these tasks this month, or at least starting them, you'll be well on your way to a successful and bountiful gardening season. Remember to pace yourself and don't be afraid to enlist the help of your kids or other family members when needed. With a little planning, some time management and this list you can create a thriving homestead that nourishes both body and soul.
Happy Homesteading!
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