December & January Around the Homestead

It‘s hard to believe we’re already into the second week of January. I feel like I haven’t even had time to process the month of December or even the entire year of 2024. Yet here we are, the wheel turns and into 2025 we are thrust. Ready or not.

December around the homestead encompassed one word “snow”. We had a full 2 weeks of cancellations, road closures and many inches of snow that dropped during our continuous “first snow” fall. Winter in Southwestern Ontario can be very unpredictable, especially with the lake effect we see here in this area however, this was something I have never experienced. It felt like we went from unusually warm 20c days and 10c nights to instant winter with the amount of snow not usually seen until late January or February.

Luckily for the homestead, I was prepared… well mostly. The tarps were put in place on the chicken runs, the heated waterers set up and the ducks got moved to the chicken tractors for their new winter home. The garden, however, never got properly closed down for winter. I did manage to spread some chicken manure before the first snow and got a glimpse of some Calendula that was holding on for dear life. Such a lovely, resilient herb. Definitely the star of my 2024 garden season. I ended up leaving some stunted brussels sprout plants and my massive sage bush which was promptly devoured by the bunnies.

I followed through with my slow intentional Christmas plans and had a very low-key holiday season. After hosting two big meals back to back, my days ending the year consisted of carrying water buckets out to the ducks, plowing the lane and enjoying family time. I tried to remember and reflect on everything brought to me in 2024 and everything new to look forward to in the new year ahead.

December Tasks on the Homestead

• Tarp chicken runs if you haven't - I should note that I don't always do this. The previous 2 winters here have been mild and we didn't get much snow. This year I chose to tarp half of the run to provide a windbreak for my old gals who absolutely love to sleep outside.
• Make sure all heated buckets and feeders are cleaned and placed for the winter season. I use a heated 3 gal waterer for the main coop, an unheated 3 gal pail for the ducks and a large heated dog water bowl for my silkies.
• Make sure to have 1 bag of feed and bedding stashed in case of winter storms.
• Put away any straggling garden tools, do any maintenance needed on lawn equipment.
• Cover garlic with mulch or straw if it has started sprouting already (prior to snow).
• Make holiday crafts and gifts with the kids.
• Plan and then dive into holiday baking, cookies, breads etc
• Dehydrate orange, lemon and grapefruit slices for holiday garland and simmer pots.
• Enjoy a slow holiday season surrounded by those you love and cherish.

January is usually one of the slowest months around the homestead but one of the most hopeful and exciting. While a time to rest and reflect it is also the month when all of the seed catalogues start showing up and you get to pull out your garden planner and dive into the fun planning part of gardening. I usually end up purchasing seeds in mid January for anything I want to start indoors in February so be sure to plan accordingly. Tomatoes, Peppers, Celery and Onions are usually what I start early.

January Tasks on the Homestead

• Gather your newly arrived seed catalogues and a coffee and get brainstorming.
• Seed sorting and ordering - go through what you have and what you need, the earlier the better.
• Pull out your garden planner and make sowing, succession, transplanting and general layout plans. What new will you add to your garden this year?
• Start a worm farm. If you can find local worms now is a great time to consider vermiculture. Note: Many worm farms will not ship worms until the temperatures are above freezing so plan accordingly. You need about 3-5 months to make quality worm castings, just in time for spring planting.
• Consider putting some fruit & veggie scraps out for the wildlife. I know our squirrels, bunnies and blue jays love cantaloupe guts.
• Set a reading goal for 2025. 1 book a month is a good goal, more if you have the time. I can usually squeeze in extra books with audiobooks as I listen while I am doing household tasks. Physical books are reserved for early mornings before the children wake up and are best enjoyed with a blanket and coffee.
• Restock winter herbal remedies such as elderberry syrup, ginger honey and bone broths.
• Clean out and restock the pantry. Yesterday I made jam with some of the excess summer strawberries that I froze. A wonderful taste of summer during the darkest months.
• Dream of the growing season to come. You made it to 2025! The year is ours.

As we dive into the New Year I am simultaneously reminded to slow down, savour and reflect yet gear up, dream and plan. Such a strange feeling to be pulled in both directions. I urge you to follow your own internal compass and feel into the season. Rest if you feel called to or dive right into planning for the new year, either way we are right where we are supposed to be.

I wish you all a bountiful 2025, no matter what season of life you're in.

~ K