In this episode, guest hosts Troy and Kelly McClung discuss their eager anticipation of warmer weather on their homestead in central West Virginia. Their to-do list is long and the excitement is building to see what can be accomplished this season.
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As the seasons change, it’s time to start thinking about the year ahead and planning for what’s next on the homestead. This post will cover some practical plans and tips for anyone thinking about or already living a homesteading lifestyle. Let’s dive into some key areas: raising animals, gardening, and water management.
Preparing for the Next Generation of Animals
Raising livestock is a central part of many homesteads. Whether it’s pigs, chickens, or something else, getting animals ready for the next season takes careful thought and planning.
Piglets on the Way
Pigs are a major focus on many homesteads, and they can provide a good source of food and income. Troy and Kelly, guest hosts on the Modern Homesteading Podcast, shared that they’re expecting new litters of piglets soon. When raising pigs, especially through the winter, it’s important to make sure they have a clean, dry place to live, especially with all the mud that tends to build up when it’s cold and wet.
A great tip for pig care is to use rotating pastures. Moving pigs from one area to another allows the land to heal and prevents it from getting too damaged or muddy. If you’re raising pigs, consider building a rotation system that keeps the pigs and the pasture healthier all year long.
Chicken Plans
Chickens are another essential part of the homestead, both for eggs and meat. If you’re thinking about raising chickens for meat, it’s worth looking into breeds like Cornish Cross, which grow fast, or trying out heritage breeds like Freedom Rangers, which take longer to grow but might have better flavor and health benefits.
If your chickens aren’t laying as many eggs as you’d like, it might be time to refresh your flock. Older chickens tend to slow down on egg production, so consider adding some new hens to keep your egg supply steady.
Gardening for the Year Ahead
Winter is the perfect time to plan out your garden for the spring and summer months. Homesteading means growing as much of your food as possible, and it takes some strategy to get the most out of your garden.
Lessons from Straw Bale Gardening
Last year, Troy and Kelly experimented with straw bale gardening. This is a great option for people who have poor soil or don’t want to deal with weeding. By using straw bales as the growing medium, they were able to grow a variety of plants without the hassle of maintaining a traditional garden bed. It was a fun experiment, but this year, they’re planning to expand their garden to a larger plot with better soil.
If you’re new to gardening, starting small with something like straw bales or raised beds is a great way to learn without getting overwhelmed. And if you’re ready for a bigger project, expanding to a full garden plot like Troy and Kelly are doing might be the next step.
Perennial Plants: The Long-Term Garden
One way to make gardening easier in the long run is to plant more perennials—plants that come back year after year. Troy and Kelly have added fruit trees and blueberry bushes to their homestead. These plants may take a few years to really produce, but once they do, they’ll be around for years with minimal effort.
If you’re starting from scratch, consider planting a mix of fruit trees, berry bushes, and perennial vegetables like asparagus. These plants will provide food for years to come with much less work than annual crops like tomatoes or lettuce.
Managing Water on the Homestead
Water is one of the most important resources on a homestead, and finding ways to manage it efficiently can save time and money. On Troy and Kelly’s homestead, they’re planning to improve their irrigation and water management systems this year.
Using Natural Springs and Gravity
One of the advantages of living in a hilly area is being able to use gravity to move water. If you have springs or creeks on your property, you can set up irrigation systems that use gravity to move water where you need it. This can be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to water your garden or provide water for animals.
Rainwater Collection
Another great way to manage water is by collecting rainwater. Troy and Kelly are setting up rain barrels to catch water from their roofs, which they can then use for watering gardens or even providing water for livestock. This can be especially helpful in areas that get dry during the summer months.
If you’re interested in rainwater collection, you’ll need to invest in some basic equipment like rain barrels and gutter systems. But once it’s set up, you’ll have a free source of water that you can use all year long!
Conclusion: Dream Big, But Start Small
Homesteading can seem overwhelming at times, especially when there’s so much to do and learn. But like Troy and Kelly remind us, it’s important to start small, plan well, and stay optimistic. Whether you’re raising animals, planting a garden, or managing water, taking things one step at a time will help you succeed.
So, get excited about the year ahead! Whether it’s building a pig rotation system, expanding your garden, or setting up rainwater collection, there’s always something new to try on the homestead. Just remember, you don’t have to do it all at once—start with a few projects and build from there.
Learn More About Our Guest Podcast Hosts
- Troy and Kelly’s website: redtoolhouse.com
- YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYznkvWJsClVckj0Xu85_9g
