Eat Local. Live Wholesome. Cherish Traditions.
As the crisp, frosty mornings and shorter daylight hours set in, we at Huckleberry Farms shift gears to prepare for winter’s embrace. While many might think of winter as a time of dormancy, it’s anything but idle for us! Winter is about protection, adaptation, and forward-thinking, ensuring that our farm thrives, no matter the weather. So, pull up a cozy blanket and let me take you through our winterizing process, a delicate dance of preparation that blends time-honored methods with a dash of Huckleberry ingenuity.
Wind Blocks and Warmth for Our Flocks
First things first: shielding our feathered and furry friends from the biting wind. Our coops undergo a bit of a makeover, sporting wind blocks, made by repurposing feed bags. Depending on the coop’s design, these feed bags are strategically placed either inside the pallet walls or on the outside. For some areas, sturdy tarps do the trick, breaking the force of the wind and keeping the coops toasty.
Deep Litter Method: Nature’s Own Insulation
If you ever step into one of our coops in winter, you might notice a generous layer of bedding. We swear by the deep litter method, where coops get a thorough cleaning in spring and fall. Come winter, a thick layer of bedding not only provides warmth but also promotes beneficial microbial activity. As a bonus, by spring, this material gets added to our garden and compost, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
Rabbit Ready for Winter
Our rabbits, too, aren’t left out in the cold. Their cages get a generous helping of hay, turning them into cozy havens. Windblocks are set up to ensure our bunnies are protected from the chilly drafts.
Water Woes and Solutions
Water is life, and ensuring our animals have access to it, even in freezing temperatures, is crucial. Our routine involves a diligent check for bucket holes, ensuring none of our feathered friends go thirsty. With hoses rendered useless by the freezing temperatures, it becomes a bucket brigade, with trips to replenish their ponds. As for our rabbits, their water bottles get special treatment, coming indoors to prevent freezing and being refreshed throughout the cold days.
Temporary Farewells and Breeding Breaks
Winter also brings temporary farewells. Our Blue Swedish, co-owned with a partner, migrate off-farm for winter, getting specialized care. They will make their jubilant return come spring, refreshed and ready for the new season. Meanwhile, our rabbit breeding takes a hiatus, wrapping up in November. This ensures the last litters are snugly born in December, just before the cold truly sets in.
Garden Hibernation: A Blanket of Care
Last but certainly not least, our garden too gets winter love. Instead of uprooting the remaining plants, we let nature take its course. Plants are covered with a layer of cardboard and bedding, protecting the soil underneath. As winter progresses, the plants break down, alongside the cardboard and bedding. This not only suppresses weed growth for the following year but also enhances the soil’s fertility, prepping it for the planting season ahead.
Final Thoughts
Winterizing Huckleberry Farms isn’t just about survival; it’s about thriving, setting the stage for a bountiful year ahead. Behind each action, there’s forethought, respect for nature, and an unwavering commitment to the land and animals we care for.
As the cold winds blow and snowflakes dance, remember: each season has its rhythm, its purpose. And as we embrace winter’s stillness, we’re already dreaming of spring’s potential. So, if you believe in the magic of seasons, in the promise of renewal, and in supporting local LGBTQ+ and women-led farms like ours, consider joining our journey. Dive deeper into our stories, support our initiatives, and let’s usher in a season of gratitude and reflection together.
Hungry for more behind-the-scenes insights and tales from Huckleberry Farms? Bookmark our blog and stay tuned for our weekly posts, where we share the heartbeats, hoots, and howls of farm life, one story at a time.
