Visit Us On Our Other Channels

Author: DiyGarden

Christmas on the Homestead

  • By - DiyGarden
  • Posted on

Christmas on the homestead carries a rhythm all its own, especially when winter brings chilly air without the hush of snow. The mornings are crisp, the ground firm beneath your boots, and the days feel shorter but no less full. Without snowdrifts or frozen paths, chores continue much the same—just with heavier layers and steam rising from every breath.

Animals & Christmas

Animals don’t take holidays, and that steady routine becomes part of the season’s comfort. Feeding pigs, gathering eggs, and checking on rabbits happen under pale winter skies, often with Christmas music drifting from the house nearby. There’s something grounding about tending livestock while wreaths hang on the barn door and lights glow faintly from the porch. The work keeps you present, even as the calendar fills with celebrations.

Christmas Prep on the Homestead

Inside the homestead, Christmas preparations blend easily with everyday life. Bread is baked between chores, herbal teas steep while lists are checked, and decorations are often simple—greens gathered from the yard, twine, and handmade touches. Without snow, the landscape remains familiar, reminding you that winter doesn’t always mean stillness. Instead, it’s a quieter continuation of the year’s work.

Evenings arrive early, inviting slower moments. A warm kitchen becomes the heart of the home, where meals are shared and plans are made by lamplight. The absence of snow doesn’t lessen the season; it shifts it. Christmas feels less about spectacle and more about intention—choosing warmth, rest, and togetherness.

Homesteading during Christmas is a reminder that the season isn’t separate from daily life. It’s woven into it. The same hands that mend fences and fill feeders also wrap gifts and stir pots on the stove. In the chill of a snowless winter, Christmas on the homestead feels steady, simple, and deeply rooted in care—exactly where it belongs.

Taking Care of the Homestead Animals and Their Needs

  • By - DiyGarden
  • Posted on

Life with livestock is a daily lesson in paying attention, especially when it comes to understanding what each animal truly needs. Rabbits, pigs, and chickens may all share the same homestead, but their care couldn’t be more different.

Rabbits & Their Needs

Rabbits thrive on calm, consistency, and cleanliness. They need a safe, well-ventilated space that protects them from wind, rain, and extreme heat. Fresh hay should make up the bulk of their diet, supported by clean water and a small portion of quality pellets or fresh greens. Rabbits are sensitive animals, so quiet surroundings and gentle handling matter just as much as food. Keeping their living area clean is essential, as they are prone to respiratory issues if bedding becomes damp or dirty.

Pigs & Their Care

Pigs, on the other hand, are curious, social, and incredibly smart. They need room to roam, root, and express natural behaviors. A sturdy shelter protects them from sun and cold, while access to mud or a wallow helps them regulate body temperature. Pigs require a balanced diet rich in nutrients, along with constant access to fresh water. Just as important is mental stimulation—pigs get bored easily, and a bored pig is often a destructive pig. Time, interaction, and enrichment go a long way with them.

Chicken Care

Chickens are often the heartbeat of the homestead. They need secure housing to keep predators out, clean nesting boxes, and roosts for sleeping. A balanced feed, grit, calcium, and fresh water support healthy egg production. Chickens also need space to scratch and forage, which keeps them active and content.

When each animal’s needs are met, the homestead runs smoother. Healthy animals are calmer, more productive, and a joy to care for, reminding us that good stewardship starts with understanding.

Winter Gardening: Worth It or Too Much Work?

  • By - DiyGarden
  • Posted on

When most gardens go silent and seed catalogs start whispering promises of spring, a winter garden quietly proves there’s still plenty growing to be done. It may not look like the lush June plot we all love, but tending vegetables in the colder months has its very real perks — along with a few challenges worth considering.

carrots

Let’s start with the good news. A winter garden means fresh produce when everyone else is stuck with grocery-store prices. While lettuce climbs to $4 a head and carrots are trucked in from across the country, you can stroll out to your backyard and pull crisp greens, sweet carrots, hearty kale, leeks, and cold-loving herbs. And here’s something magical: cold weather doesn’t just keep plants alive, it improves their flavor. Kale turns sweeter, carrots deepen, and Brussels sprouts mellow after a frost. Add to that the fact that pests practically disappear, and suddenly gardening feels… easier.

But let’s be honest — winter gardening isn’t all cozy mugs of tea and baskets of greens. The cold slows everything down. What sprouts in a week during May might take a month in January. And you’ll need to think ahead about protection: row covers, mulch, cold frames, or a hoop house. Winter crops are hardy, but deep freezes and icy winds need buffering. Plus, while watering is minimal, you do have to be willing to bundle up, tug on gloves, and head out when the garden calls — even if it’s 28 degrees.

Still, the trade-off is worth it for many homesteaders. A winter garden keeps food on the table, builds resilience, and stretches your growing confidence across all four seasons. When the world outside sleeps, your soil keeps providing — and that feels deeply satisfying.

Keeping the Homestead Going When the Cold Sets In

  • By - DiyGarden
  • Posted on

Winter has a funny way of slowing everything down while somehow keeping us just as busy as ever. The garden might not be bursting with tomatoes or zucchinis anymore, but it still needs a little love to make sure spring starts off right. Same with the animals—cold weather doesn’t stop chores; it just changes them.

In the winter garden, it’s all about protection and preparation. First up: mulch. A good thick blanket of straw, leaves, or wood chips keeps your soil from freezing solid and protects any perennials or overwintering veggies. It’s like tucking your garden into bed for a long nap. And don’t forget your tools—winter is the perfect time to clean them up, sharpen the blades, and oil the handles so they’re ready to go come spring. If you’ve got raised beds, winter is a great time to add compost, too. Let the freeze-thaw cycles work it into the soil for you.

Winter Animal Care

Now for the animals. Winter care definitely keeps you on your toes, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Fresh, unfrozen water is the biggest job—heated bowls are a lifesaver, but if you don’t have them, just be ready to swap out buckets a couple times a day. Chickens appreciate a draft-free coop and a little extra bedding to snuggle down in. Rabbits need the same—plenty of straw, solid wind protection, and extra hay to keep their little engines running. And pigs? They’re tougher than they look, but they still need a dry shelter, deep bedding, and steady feed to stay warm.

Winter isn’t loud or busy like the growing season, but it’s important. These small chores—mulching, watering, bedding, feeding—help everything on the homestead rest, recharge, and get ready for spring. And honestly? There’s something peaceful about caring for the land and animals in the quiet of winter.

Daily Animal Chores: The Rhythm That Keeps My Homestead Running

  • By - DiyGarden
  • Posted on

Every morning, before the world fully wakes up, I slip into my boots and head outside to start my animal chores. It’s become a rhythm I look forward to—a quiet moment where the homestead and I ease into the day together.

Click here to check out the video Ron made so you can meet all the animals face to face.

chicken

My chickens are always the first to greet me. Honestly, they act like I’ve been gone for days instead of just one night. I open the coop, refresh their water, scatter feed, and peek into the nest boxes to see who gifted me breakfast. As I walk through the run, I take a moment to watch them scratch around. They make it pretty obvious if someone isn’t acting right, so I like to give everyone a good once-over while the sunlight is still soft.

Next, I move to the rabbits. They’re quieter, more delicate in their routines, and I’ve learned they appreciate a calm hand. I top off their hay, refill their water, and give each one a little hello. I always check the cages for loose wires or spots they might be chewing. Over time, you learn which rabbits hop right over for attention and which ones prefer to sit back and observe.

Then come the pigs—my loudest morning crew. They are never shy about letting me know it’s feeding time. I haul out their feed, make sure they’ve got plenty of fresh water, and check their wallow or shelter. I also give the fence a quick look because pigs are creative thinkers when it comes to escape plans.

Even though the chores shift with the seasons, this steady, everyday pattern gives me purpose. There’s something honest and grounding about caring for animals. It’s work, yes—but it’s the kind of work that fills my cup every single day.

Planting Herbs in the Fall: A Homesteader’s Best-Kept Secret

  • By - DiyGarden
  • Posted on

Fall may feel like the time to put the garden to bed, but for homesteaders, it’s actually one of the best seasons to plant herbs. The soil is still warm from summer, the air is cool and gentle, and the garden finally slows down enough for you to catch your breath. It’s the perfect window to tuck in new herbs that will reward you come spring.

You can watch Ron plant a lot of our herbs here.

Planting herbs in the fall gives their roots plenty of time to settle in before winter hits. With cooler temperatures, herbs don’t have to fight heat stress or rapid evaporation. Instead, they can focus on building strong, steady root systems. By the time spring rolls around, they wake up early, growing faster and fuller than herbs planted in the spring.

If you want a little more color and fragrance, consider planting lavender or lemon balm. Both settle in beautifully during fall and bring a burst of life to early spring gardens. And don’t forget parsley — technically a biennial, but it thrives when planted in autumn and will give you bright green leaves deep into winter.

When planting, add a layer of compost and mulch to protect the roots and hold moisture. Water deeply, then let nature take the lead. Fall rains do most of the work for you.

So before you hang up the garden gloves for the season, give your herb garden a head start. A little fall planting goes a long way — and your springtime self will thank you.

Time and the Homestead

  • By - DiyGarden
  • Posted on

Time moves differently on the homestead. Out here, the rhythm isn’t set by clocks or calendars—it’s guided by the seasons, the sun, and the steady work of caring for the land and animals. You quickly learn that nature doesn’t rush, and yet, she never stops moving.

Each day begins early, often before the light touches the horizon. Morning chores come first—feeding animals, gathering eggs, checking fences, and making sure everything is as it should be. There’s a deep satisfaction in this kind of work. It reminds you that time isn’t just something to pass; it’s something to fill with purpose.

On the homestead, the hours slip by faster than you’d expect. A quick project can turn into a daylong task once you factor in fixing a gate or chasing a loose chicken. But even when the to-do list grows longer instead of shorter, there’s comfort in knowing you’re building something real and lasting.

Time also teaches patience. Gardens can’t be rushed, and animals follow their own pace. You learn to trust the process—to wait for sprouts to break through the soil or for the first batch of piglets to arrive. Those moments remind you that time spent tending, nurturing, and waiting is never wasted.


By evening, as the chores wind down and the sky glows soft with sunset, the day feels complete. It’s not about how much got done, but about living in step with the natural flow of life. On the homestead, time isn’t your enemy—it’s your greatest teacher, showing you to slow down, stay steady, and appreciate every moment of honest work.

Because in the end, homesteading isn’t about managing time—it’s about living it well.

Making Our Chicken Tractor Mobile

  • By - DiyGarden
  • Posted on

Turning a stationary chicken pen into a mobile chicken tractor is one of the best upgrades you can make for your flock — and your yard! A chicken tractor is basically a moveable coop and run combo that allows you to rotate your chickens onto fresh grass. It keeps them safe while letting them forage, fertilize, and aerate your soil — a true win-win for both birds and garden.

Click here to check out Ron’s video to see how he did it first hand.

If you already have a stationary setup, converting it doesn’t have to be complicated. Start by looking at your current pen’s frame. You’ll want it sturdy but light enough to move. Many folks replace wooden posts with lighter materials like PVC, treated 2x2s, or metal tubing. Add handles or a tow bar to make pulling it easier, and attach heavy-duty wheels on one end so you can tilt and roll it like a wheelbarrow.

Next, secure a solid roof for shade and weather protection, and cover the sides with welded wire or hardware cloth to keep predators out. Inside, make sure your roosts and nesting boxes are fastened tightly so nothing shifts when you move the tractor.

chicken
chickens

Once converted, move the chicken tractor every day or two. This keeps the birds on fresh ground, helps prevent muddy spots, and spreads their nitrogen-rich manure evenly — nature’s free fertilizer! It also keeps your chickens happier and healthier since they get constant access to bugs and greens.

With a little creativity and some elbow grease, your once-stationary chicken pen can become a hardworking mobile setup that benefits your whole homestead. Your flock will love the fresh buffet of grass and grubs, and you’ll love seeing your soil thrive under their care.

Now that’s what you call putting your chickens — and your land — to work together!

Daily Homesteading Chores: Caring for Chickens, Rabbits, and Pigs

  • By - DiyGarden
  • Posted on

If you’ve ever dreamed of that simple, country life, let me tell you — homesteading is full of heart, hard work, and a whole lot of muddy boots! Caring for animals like chickens, rabbits, and pigs becomes part of your daily rhythm, and honestly, it’s some of the most rewarding work you’ll ever do.

Chicken Chores

Let’s start with the chickens. They’re usually the first ones up, clucking and ready for breakfast before the sun’s even high. I open the coop, scatter feed, and check waterers. There’s something peaceful about collecting warm eggs in the morning — it never gets old. A quick look around for any messes or sneaky predators keeps things running smooth.

Rabbit Chores


Rabbits are next. They love a clean, cozy space, so I make sure their hutches are tidy, hay racks full, and water fresh. They’re such gentle, curious little creatures. A few quiet minutes spent talking to them or offering a treat always makes me smile. You can tell a lot about how a rabbit’s doing just by how eager it is to hop over and say hello.

Pig Chores

Then there are the pigs — the funny ones of the bunch! They’re smart, playful, and always ready for a snack. I check their feed, water, and wallow, making sure they’ve got plenty of room to root and roll. Give them a scratch behind the ears, and they’ll be your best friends for life.

Homesteading chores might sound like work — and they are — but they’re also full of joy and purpose. Each task connects you to your animals and reminds you why you started this life in the first place: to live simply, care deeply, and find happiness in the everyday moments on the farm.

Chicks & Brooders

  • By - DiyGarden
  • Posted on

Bringing home baby chicks is one of the most exciting parts of raising backyard chickens! Those tiny, fuzzy balls of fluff are adorable—but they do need special care in their first few weeks of life. Setting up a proper brooder is the first step to keeping your chicks healthy, warm, and happy.

Our chicks are about two weeks old and all 55 of them have outgrown the small brooder we have. So, Ron has divided them into two different brooders to give them space as they get a little bigger before they go outside. You can see what he does here.

Brooder Set Up

A brooder is simply a warm, safe space for your chicks to live until they’re big enough to go outside. You can use a plastic tote, a large cardboard box, or a special brooder box. The key things they need are warmth, bedding, food, water, and protection.

For warmth, use a heat lamp or a brooder plate. Chicks can’t regulate their body temperature yet, so keeping it around 95°F for the first week is important. Each week, lower the temperature by about 5°F until they’re fully feathered. If the chicks are huddled under the heat source, they’re cold; if they’re far away, it’s too hot. Watch their behavior—they’ll tell you what they need!

Line the bottom of the brooder with pine shavings (avoid cedar—it’s too strong). Keep things dry and change the bedding often. Fresh, clean water should always be available, and a chick starter feed provides all the nutrients they need to grow strong.

Chicks also love a little company—both from their flockmates and from you. Handle them gently and talk softly so they get used to being around people.

Within a few short weeks, your fluffy babies will be curious, active, and ready to explore the big world outside the brooder. Taking the time to set them up right from the start means you’ll have healthy, friendly chickens for years to come!