October and November around the Homestead

Fall is my favourite time of year. I long for the changing of the seasons, but I don't like knowing I will be cooped up inside for months on end. My bare feet belong on the earth and wearing shoes isn't my idea of a good time. Luckily for me, it has been an incredibly warm fall. The temperatures are still getting into the 20's through the day and have not fallen below freezing at night.

The slow dive into fall is very much welcomed after a wild summer. Typically I would have everything buttoned down by now (late October/Early Nov) but I have definitely been slacking on the homestead tasks. October was a busy month between Thanksgiving, Birthday's and Halloween Fun.

As I write this we are into our second week of November and fall still has its mighty grasp on us, no snow in the forecast & a projected green Christmas makes me equally happy and sad.

The winter months still seem very far away and while I am dreaming of being snowed in and sipping hot chocolate with the kids, it is still very much fall outside and that means there is still work to be done around the homestead.

Normally by now I have the chicken runs covered in tarps or plastic but last year I never got around to doing it - winter was mild and I kept saying once we get snow I'll close them up, but it never really came and this year it's looking about the same, so I doubt I will close up the runs. Half of my chickens sleep outside in the run, up on high roosts, the other half inside the coop with the ducks. They've been sleeping outside for the last couple years, spring, summer, fall and winter. Even through very low temps and snow storms they prefer to snooze out there. Now I realize that this isn't typical and is out of the norm for chicken keeping but my run is secure, I do not have a problem with nighttime predators and well, happy chickens lay more eggs! * I should note that I also have a dog who is constantly marking her territory on the property and I think this helps for added security.

October & November Homestead Tasks

• Harvest anything still growing in the garden - I have kale, cabbages, brussels sprouts, calendula, lemon balm and sage that can still be harvested.
• Harvest any flower seeds you left to dry naturally eg. Calendula, Marigolds
• Dig up & store any tender bulbs that require winter storage eg. Glads, Dahlias
• Make all the things with the abundance of those Apples & Squashes. Pies, Cider, Squares, Soups etc. Freeze or can any extras.
• Roast the squash/pumpkin seeds for a yummy snack & natural de wormer. Be sure to share pumpkin, squash insides with the flock as well.
• Clean out all the spent plants from the garden and either compost, feed to chickens or burn if diseased. * This is something I do not normally do, simply because I run out of time and the snow sets before I get around to it. However, this year I had terrible squash bugs so I will be cleaning out my garden in the coming weeks... hopefully!!
• Add manure or compost to the garden, then let the chickens in to forage and rummage around to incorporate it all. Once they are done be sure to add a top layer of leaf or pine needle mulch to protect the soil throughout the winter.
• Bake lots of bread! If you don't bake, fall is a great time to pick an easy recipe and get started. I bake bread every other day and there's nothing like warm chili and a fresh baked bun on a cool fall day!!
• Mulch perennials, shrubs, fruit trees etc.
• Prepare your Garlic spot, plant then mulch it. * Make sure this is done after you let the chickens in or they will dig up your bulbs.
• Make more Elderberry, Lemon or Ginger Honey if needed. Be sure to have your herbal winter medicine cabinet fully stocked! Teas, Tinctures, Chest Rubs etc.
• Dig up and roast/dry any burdock, chicory or dandelion roots you have growing.
• Do one final chicken coop clean out before winter. Find the heated waterers and make sure everything is in working order. Have extra feed & bedding on hand incase of snow storms.
• Reflect on your growing season and be sure to make notes of anything important that might be forgotten before next growing season.
• Take a deep breath, you survived another growing season. Congrats!!

As the weeks tick by and the days grow shorter, I am reminded that the ultimate slow season is upon us. Where we are forced by mother nature to turn inwards and are lovingly embraced by winters darkness. As someone who used to despise the winter season, I have grown to love and actually look forward to it. In the articles to come I will be sharing some seasonal recipes, book recommendations, as well as why it is important and how you can slow down during the holiday season.

~ K