Spring Start Up – Spring is when the homestead wakes up. The snow melts, the soil softens, and the air hums with potential. It’s time to shake off winter’s slow rhythm and set the stage for a productive, thriving season ahead.
Here’s how to kick off your spring homesteading with clarity, purpose, and a whole lot of dirt-under-your-nails enthusiasm.
Spring Start Up – 1. Clean and Prep Your Homestead
Start by clearing the clutter—inside and out.
Outbuildings & Barns
- Sweep, scrub, and reorganize animal shelters, feed rooms, and tool sheds
- Inspect structures for damage, leaks, or loose hardware
- Refresh bedding, nesting boxes, and feeders
Garden Areas
- Rake leaves and debris from beds
- Clean up perennial areas and prune fruit trees
- Test and amend soil as needed
Tools & Equipment
- Sharpen pruners, hoes, and blades
- Service engines (tillers, mowers, chainsaws)
- Replace worn-out gloves, hoses, or nozzles
Spring Start Up – 2. Check Fencing and Infrastructure
Before animals or crops go out:
- Walk your fences and gates—repair sagging wire or rotted posts
- Ensure coops and pens are predator-proof and ready for new chicks or livestock
- Double-check water lines and hoses for cracks or freezing damage
Spring Start Up – 3. Plan Your Garden (and Get It Growing)
Spring is the time to:
- Sketch out garden plans with crop rotation and companion planting in mind
- Start seeds indoors (tomatoes, peppers, brassicas) or prep for direct sowing (peas, lettuce, carrots)
- Order seeds and starts before they sell out
- Add compost and mulch to beds for an early nutrition boost
Tip: Use your winter notes or homestead journal to guide changes and improvements.
Spring Start Up – 4. Prepare for New Life
Chicks, Kids, and Lambs
- Clean and prep brooders or kidding stalls
- Stock supplies: heat lamps, bottles, colostrum replacer, bedding
- Prepare a first-aid kit for spring birthing season
Bees or Rabbits?
- Spring is also a popular time to start new ventures—research thoroughly and prepare early if expanding
You should also check out: DIY Farm Projects – Awe-Inspiring Skills You Need to Love Awesome Animal Village – Part 1 Greenhouse Setup: The Best Methods for the Seed Starting Season
Spring Start Up – 5. Manage Water and Drainage
- Check rain barrels and gutters
- Grade soil and pathways to prevent pooling
- Reconnect irrigation or drip lines and test for leaks
Spring Start Up – 6. Restock and Reorganize
Revisit your supplies and storage:
- Refill feed bins, pantry staples, and preservation jars
- Reorganize your root cellar, freezer, and seed storage
- Clear space for incoming harvests or preserved goods
Spring Start Up – 7. Set Seasonal Goals
Spring can feel overwhelming—set realistic priorities.
- Choose 2–3 key goals for the season (e.g., build a greenhouse, expand the flock, plant an orchard)
- Break goals into weekly tasks
- Celebrate small wins along the way
Spring Start Up – 8. Soak It All In
Spring only comes once a year—so take time to:
- Walk barefoot in the grass
- Sit in the garden with your coffee
- Watch baby animals play
- Feel the rhythm of life return
Final Thoughts:
Spring is your homestead’s fresh start. It’s where dreams sprout, projects bloom, and hard work takes root. With good planning and a little elbow grease, you’ll set the tone for a year of abundance, resilience, and growth—right where your boots hit the soil.
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We also, as a homesteading family, have a variety of blogs that might interest you. A Life on the Farm focuses on the more personal side of the homesteading life. We discuss subjects like family, parenting, relationships, homeschooling, cooking, canning and so much more.
Two Oaks Farm Talk concerns the more technical side of homesteading. We discuss subjects like gardening, food prep, and farm building and construction with lots of tutorials!
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