September is upon us. Here in the midwest, we have some 80-degree days yet temperatures are falling into the 40's at night. Soon we will experience the crisp air of fall. It's a great time to tackle the September Homestead Checklist: Fall to-do List. These are essential tasks at home to help ensure a smooth transition into winter. The coming months will bring colder temperatures and shorter days, so now is the ideal time to prepare.
In some ways, this change of seasons is the best time of year. We are not using the air conditioner or the heat. There is a brief lull where there is still time to complete end-of-season tasks and enjoy the beauty of the early fall. Here's your September homestead checklist or Fall to-do list to ensure your property, vegetable garden, and animals are ready for the cooler weather we will experience soon.
September Homestead Checklist: Fall to-do List
Harvest Late Crops
September is a time of transition. September and extending into October is the harvest time for late-season crops. Gather your remaining vegetables such as pumpkins, squash, and root vegetables. Early frost can threaten your harvest, so keep an eye on the weather and pick before it’s too late.
On our farm, we harvest pumpkins and squash. We have not had any luck growing potatoes in the past. I plan to try to grow potatoes in the future again. We love both russet potatoes and sweet potatoes.
Preserve the Harvest
Now is the perfect time to preserve your bounty. Consider canning, freezing, or dehydrating fruits and vegetables to enjoy them throughout the winter. This can be hard work and we usually do this in batches. We talk about preserving in this post: Maximize your Savings with Tomatoes. Canned tomatoes are delicious in soups, stews, and chili through the colder months. Frozen corn is a mainstay of many of our family dinners.
If you’ve grown herbs, dry them for future use or use them to make herbal teas. These dried herbs make great additions to fall and winter recipes.
September Homestead Checklist: Fall to-do List
Prep your Garden for Fall
Remove dead plants, weeds, and any leftover organic material from your garden beds. This helps prevent various diseases and pests from overwintering in your soil. We want our next crop to be healthy.
Add Organic Matter
It is important to keep your soil in tip-top shape and ready for spring planting. You can help with this in the fall season by adding compost material. This will improve soil structure and fertility over the winter months. Doing this now helps prepare the soil for next spring.
Plant Fall Crops
If you haven’t already, consider planting cool-season crops like spinach, kale, and radishes. These will thrive in the cooler temperatures and can often be harvested before the first frost. A fall garden can help extend your growing season and you have access to fresh produce a little longer. Flower bulbs are not a fall crop but we try to plant a few new flower bulbs each year. I appreciate having cut flower bouquets from our property during the growing season.
Mulch and Protect Perennials
Apply a layer of good mulch material around your perennials to protect their roots from frost when the ground freezes. Their root systems are amazingly resilient. I am happy every spring when our perennials bloom. The perennials give you a head start on the flower and herb gardens each year. We do plant many seeds but I love that we plant once and enjoy for years to come.
September Homestead Checklist: Fall to-do List
Weatherproof your Home
Check for drafts and seal gaps around windows and doors to keep heat in and cold out. Not only does sealing minimize drafts, but it also helps keep out unwanted critters. As you check for weatherproofing and needed repairs, you might use this as an opportunity to get some fall cleaning completed. We try to clean as we move along. This is not essential and is not as intense as traditional spring cleaning.
Inside and Outside the House
Inspect your roof for missing or damaged shingles and repair if damage is present. In the midwest, we occasionally get spring high winds that can do damage that is not visible from the ground. We also complete our fall check of smoke alarms and add fresh batteries. We do this at least twice a year. Check to ensure a fire extinguisher is accessible. If you use carbon monoxide detectors, this is a good time to examine them.
Inspect HVAC System
Have your furnace or heating system serviced to ensure it’s working efficiently. Stock up on heating fuel, whether it’s firewood, propane, or oil, to avoid running low during the colder winter months.
We usually purchase large quantities of wood pellets to ensure we do not run low. We had a colder-than-normal winter a few years ago and pellets were hard to find. My husband was on a first-name basis with the guy at the hardware store as everyone waited anxiously for wood pellet shipments each week.
We use both a wood pellet stove and a gas-forced air furnace. Both receive some attention before use. The furnace air filter is changed to prepare the central heating system for use.
Gutters and Downspouts
Remove leaves and other debris from gutters and downspouts to prevent ice dams and water damage. A gutter guard can help with this task. Ensure that downspouts are attached and are directing water away from your home.
September Homestead Checklist: Fall to-do List
Winterize Animal Shelters
Ensure that animal shelters are secure and insulated if needed. We have never insulated our barn for the livestock or our chicken coop. Other areas of the country may need more insulation in their animal shelters. My husband does ensure they are as draft-free as possible. He checks on the animals more frequently during the colder months.
Check for and repair any damage to ensure your shelter can keep your animals warm once the really cold temps arrive later in the season. We occasionally do have below-freezing temperatures in our part of the country. The roof mustn't leak in your barns and chicken coops. Not only do leaks weaken the structure but the animals may get wet as well.
Stock up on Feed
Purchase and store adequate feed for your livestock. Ensure it’s kept in a dry, rodent-proof area to prevent spoilage. My husband has found metal trashcans with secure lids to be the best way to keep food dry and untampered with by rodents. Try to keep an adequate supply, but not so much that it becomes stale before you need it. Again, we have had supply issues at times in the past so we do not ever want the feed to get too low.
Prepare Outdoor Water Sources
If you use outdoor water sources, prepare them for freezing temperatures. Fresh water is a chore in the colder months especially when it dips below freezing. Consider investing in heated water tanks or insulating pipes that might be more vulnerable to ensure a constant water supply. If the water freezes it is an extra step to bring water from the house to the animals.
September Homestead Checklist: Fall to-do List
Clean and Service Tools
When you are consulting your September homestead checklist: fall to-do list take the time to clean and service garden tools, tractors, lawnmowers, and other equipment that will not be used as frequently. Sharpen blades, check for wear and tear, and perform any needed maintenance to ensure they’re ready when spring weather approaches.
This is also a time to check winter equipment such as snowblowers and snow removal attachments for the tractor. You will want to be sure this equipment is operable and ready to go when needed. In our area snowfall varies each year. Our long driveway must be plowed if the snow accumulates too much however some years we use the snowplow more than others.
Store Summer Equipment
Clean and store summer equipment such as lawnmowers, hoses, and outdoor furniture. This includes kids' outdoor toys and sports equipment. We store the kayaks and boats for the winter. This is a good time to check for any needed repairs and discard broken toys or pool floaties that do not hold air. It seems like we always end up with a pile of deflated pond toys that should have been trashed long ago.
We store most of the seasonal items in our barn or garage. We have ample storage in our garage, barn, and outbuildings. A dry, sheltered storage area can prolong the life of outdoor toys, equipment, and furniture. Our patio set was purchased years ago and is still in great shape because we store it every winter. Before we store it we usually wipe it down if needed. This prolongs the life of items such as outdoor furniture, toys, and sports equipment.
Other Tasks
Review Emergency Supplies
Our September Homestead Checklist: Fall to-do list reminds us to check your emergency supplies. This includes first aid kits, batteries, candles, and non-perishable food. Pantry staples are good to have on hand in case of power failure. Food items such as peanut butter and nuts are shelf-stable options. Keep a supply of water and or a means to purify the water you have on your property from a pond or other water source.
We have an alternative heat source in case the power goes out. Some families have a generator if the electricity fails in the winter. Consider these options and choose what will work best for your family and your unique circumstances.
Vehicle Emergency Kit
It is good practice to include a winter emergency kit in your vehicles. The cold weather kit is different than the warm weather supplies. Think of all of the possible items to include in each kit.
The contents may vary according to how far you usually travel in the colder months. My commute is just a few miles, but many people have a longer commute and the potential to encounter hazardous weather.
Consider the amount of space needed for your emergency kit. If your vehicle is smaller, you may have less space to use for this purpose. The goal is to be prepared if you have any difficulty while out on the road during inclement weather. Do not try to think of every mishap that might occur, but likely ones for your area of the country.
Your vehicle emergency kit may vary according to your family makeup. If you have kids, you will include items appropriate for kids. A family with only adults will have different needs.
Keep a simple paper or electronic checklist of needed supplies for your vehicle emergency kit. Periodically check to ensure you still have all of the items on your list. If you keep non-perishable food in your kit, check expiration dates.
Planning Time
Take some time to plan any winter projects, any improvements you want to work on or plan for spring. Winter is a great time to evaluate what grew well in your garden and determine if you need to plant more or less or choose another variety for spring planting.
The seed catalogs are great to browse during a cold winter evening! We try a few new varieties each year.
My husband keeps track of what was planted and the approximate yield from each variety. This is not completed with scientific accuracy by any means. These are rough estimates.
This helps him to determine which seeds are planted in the spring. He also evaluates the location of the different types of plants, keeping in mind rotating to keep the soil healthy. Working on building projects in the fall and winter is another option.
In the midwest, we do have days when the weather is mild and work can be completed outside. On a small homestead, there are always projects we can complete during the cooler months. Having a plan in place will keep you productive during the winter season and ensure you are prepared when it warms up in the spring.
That completes your September homestead checklist: Fall to-do list. Completing these tasks in the fall will set your homestead up for a successful and less stressful winter.
From preparing your garden and home to ensuring your livestock are well-cared for, these steps will help you navigate the colder months with confidence and ease. What kind of tasks do you like to complete in the fall?
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