Category: hobby farm

How to Plan Your Garden in January

Are you already thinking about your garden? January is the perfect time to start planning your garden. If you are searching for inspiration, consider the following ideas on how to plan your garden in January.

photo of man standing surrounded by green leaf plants
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  1.  Research: Is this your first year gardening? Spend time researching your hardiness zone. Explore suitable plants for your region. Consider the local climate and soil conditions. If you are a seasoned gardener, take time to research your gardening goals for this year. What areas do you need to focus on?
  2. Layout Design: Plan the garden layout, considering sunlight, shade, and plant size. If you need more visual aids, purchase a poster board and markers and create your entire garden design.
  3. Seed Selection: Choose seeds based on your preferences and local climate. January is the best time to search the Internet for high-quality seeds and supplies. Numerous seed companies provide free catalogs. Send for catalogs. Spend a day going through all your seed catalogs to create a garden list.
  4. Soil Preparation: If needed, test and improve your garden’s soil quality. Consider composting or adding organic matter. Of course, this task may require the temperatures to get above freezing.
  5. Tool Check: Create an inventory of your gardening tools. Ensure your gardening tools are in good condition.  Acquire any needed replacements or purchase new tools for this year’s gardening tasks.
  6. Start Indoor Seeds: After your research, create a list of seeds to start early. When the time is right, begin seeds indoors for plants that require a longer growing season.
  7. Crop Rotation: If applicable, plan crop rotation to optimize soil health. Rotating your crops improves your overall garden output.
  8. Budget: Outline your gardening budget, including seeds, soil amendments, and tools. Planning early, allows you to purchase items a little at a time.

Enjoy planning your garden!

Ways to Keep Your Chickens Cool in the Summer Heat

The summer season ushers in warmer temperatures, higher humidity, and greater risks to your outdoor animals. When the temperature inside your coop rises, your chickens need alternatives to stay cool. If you are searching for ideas on ways to keep your chickens cool in the summer heat, check out the following list.

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Water: Keeping your flock hydrated is essential to their overall health. On warmer days, check their watering containers more than once. Provide your chickens with cold, fresh, drinking water to encourage staying hydrated throughout the day.

Extra Hydration Stations: On extremely hot and humid days, provide extra water resources for your chickens. Place extra watering containers in different areas inside your pen. If you do not have extra water containers, small shallow pans work.  But the pans may require extra refills throughout the day.

Electrolytes: Add electrolyte tablets or powder to their water—the solution aids in keeping your chickens hydrated. The electrolyte mix is available at different feed stores and other marketplaces.

Shady Areas: If your chickens roam an open pen area, provide shade for relief. A large tarp in a corner or even a piece of plywood is a quick fix to provide shade. If you are a first-time chicken owner or your coop is moveable, consider placing your pen in a naturally shaded area. Allowing your chickens to roam outside of their pen is another option. However, the risk of exposing your flock to predators increases.

Extra Treats: Add extra cold treats to keep your flock cool and healthy. Watermelon, berries, and other fruits are a tasty treat for your chickens. Freeze corn or other vegetables in blocks of ice. As your chickens pick at the ice to get the food, they automatically intake extra water.

Fans: Install an exhaust fan inside of your coop. If your coop is secure, leave the main door open early in the morning or late in the evening to allow cooler air to flow through the coop.

Small changes on hot summer days create a healthy environment for your flock. Chickens also know how to stay cool on hot days. Be aware of small holes throughout your coop. Chickens love to lay in the dirt to find relief from the heat. Make a habit of checking on your chickens more than once on hot days.