15 Essential February Homesteading Tasks | Winter Chickens, Lawn Mower Prep, And Cold Season Crops!
Welcome! This article contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you.
February might seem like a sleepy month for homesteaders. But don’t be fooled by those gray skies and chilly winter storms! February is when savvy homesteaders lay the groundwork for an incredibly successful year ahead. Let’s leverage this time to tackle 15 essential February homesteading tasks that will put us ahead when spring finally arrives.
Sound enticing?
Then join us as we prepare for an epic and abundant spring right around the corner!
15 Essential Homesteading Tasks For February
Think of February as your springboard to success – it’s time to roll up those sleeves and dive in!
1. Start Cool-Season Crops Indoors
February is prime time to wake up your green thumb and get those cool-season crops started under grow lights! These hardy vegetables, like broccoli, kale, collard greens, onions, leeks, cabbage, and mustard greens, need a six to eight-week headstart before the last frost date to ensure robust growth and early harvests.
- Select crops that can withstand cold temperatures and transplanting stress.
- Maintain indoor temperatures between 60 to 70°F for optimal germination.
- Provide 14 to 16 hours of artificial light daily for strong seedling development.
Consider creating a simple DIY seedling heat mat by placing your trays on your refrigerator to give seeds a slight temperature boost and help them germinate more quickly.
2. Clean Unused Birdhouses
February’s an opportune time to tackle those birdhouse maintenance chores before your feathered friends start house-hunting for spring! First, remove last year’s old nesting material, which can harbor parasites and disease-causing organisms that could harm the next generation of chicks. While you’ve got the birdhouse down, carefully check for any cracks or damage from winter storms. Even small gaps can let in drafts or rain, which could be problematic for birds relying on the shelter.
- Obliterate old nesting material and debris.
- Check for structural damage and repair loose joints or holes.
- Scrub the interior with a stiff brush, warm water, and mild soap.
Your feathered friends might not write thank-you notes. But they’ll repay you with cheerful songs and endless garden pest control!
3. Plan Your Spring Garden
February is the perfect time to spread your seed catalogs across the kitchen table and dream up this year’s garden paradise! Review last year’s garden journal (or start one if you haven’t yet) to remember which varieties were winners and which left you hungry for more.
- Create detailed garden maps incorporating crop rotation principles.
- Calculate planting dates based on your local last frost date.
- Plan companion planting combinations for optimal growth.
Your garden map might look like a crazy quilt now. But come summer, it’ll be your roadmap to veggie victory!
Read More – 10 Easy Methods To Turn Your Backyard Into A Wintry Bird Sanctuary!
4. Order Seeds And Supplies
February demands a thorough inventory and ordering session for your upcoming garden needs! Pull out those seedboxes and stock what’s still viable – most vegetable seeds remain viable for 2 to 3 years if stored properly. However, some seeds, like onions and parsnips, are best bought fresh every year. Don’t forget to consider the less apparent supplies that might need replacing. Row covers that got torn last season, soaker hoses with pinhole leaks, or that compost thermometer that mysteriously vanished in October.
- Review seed inventories and make note of cultivars you want to grow.
- Research which seed varieties are best suited for your climate and growing conditions.
- Consider planning for succession planting! Select varieties with different maturation times.
Order your seeds now while selection is still good – those hot new tomato cultivars and unique heirloom beans tend to sell out fast once spring fever hits.
5. Help Your Chickens And Animals Stay Warm
February can be a sneaky month for homesteaders. Just when you think winter’s grip might be loosening, it often delivers some of its most brutal cold snaps! That’s why doing extra checks on your farm animals and chickens is crucial. Those bitter winds can find every tiny gap in your coops and barns, and your animals might need extra bedding or protection even if they seemed cozy last month.
- Check and reinforce coop and barn insulation.
- Provide extra bedding and windbreaks in animal areas.
- Monitor water sources daily to prevent freezing.
If you find yourself putting tiny sweaters on your farm dogs, just remember – you’re not crazy. You’re a dedicated homesteader!
6. Check Canned Food Supplies
February is the perfect time to check your canned food supplies thoroughly. You’re still deep in winter storage season but have enough time to replenish before spring. Pull out every jar and inspect for any signs of spoilage – look for cracks, bulging lids, rust, leaks, or broken seals that might have developed during the winter months.
- Check seals and signs of spoilage on all preserved foods.
- Inventory remaining supplies and note consumption patterns.
- Think like a grocery store and rotate, rotate, rotate! Move older cans to the front and eat the oldest stuff first.
Pay special attention to any odd discoloration in your home-canned goods, and remember that “when in doubt, throw it out” is the golden rule of food preservation.
Read More – 17 Best Indoor Herbs For Growing In Your Home During Winter!
7. Nurture Winter Houseplants
February can test even the hardiest indoor plants, with short days and dry heating taking their toll on your leafy companions! Now’s the time to give them extra attention. Dust off those leaves with a damp cloth to help them photosynthesize more efficiently in the limited winter light. Look for spider mites and other pests that love to multiply in warm, dry indoor conditions.
- Focus on maintaining proper humidity (a pebble tray or humidifier can work wonders.)
- Resist the urge to overwater – more houseplants meet their doom from winter overwatering than underwatering!
- Rotate your plants regularly so they don’t become lopsided by reaching for the weak winter sunlight.
While you might wish to show your plants some love with fertilizer, most houseplants are semi-dormant now and prefer to rest until longer days trigger new growth.
8. Stay Prepared For Winter Storms
February often sneaks in some of winter’s most challenging storms, so staying prepared is crucial even as we dream of spring! Double-check your emergency supplies and make sure your generator is accessible and ready to run – it’s frustrating to discover your fuel has gelled up right when you need it most.
- Maintain clear paths to essential outbuildings and keep ice melt or sand handy since a quick trip to check on animals can become treacherous during a storm.
- Stock up on extra feed for livestock and birds, as delivery trucks might not make it through during severe weather.
- Have your snow removal equipment fueled and ready, and keep some high-calorie snacks and water stored where you can easily reach them if the power goes out.
Homesteaders (especially from the north) can never afford to let their guard down. Mother Nature often saves her biggest snowstorms for February when we least expect them!
9. Prune Fruit Trees
Pruning fruit trees in February is like giving your trees a fresh haircut before the growing season kicks in! It’s the perfect time to tidy up and encourage healthy growth because the trees are still dormant, so they’re not stressed or actively pushing out new buds. Proper pruning now shapes the tree’s growing pattern, improves air circulation, and helps prevent disease issues later in the season. Pruning in February also makes it easier to see the tree’s structure without leaves.
- Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches first.
- Maintain proper tree shape for maximum sunlight penetration.
- Sanitize tools between trees to prevent disease spread.
It can seem harsh chopping away at your beloved fruit trees. But by cutting away any dead, diseased, or crossing branches, you help open the canopy to more sunlight and air circulation. That means a healthier tree and better-quality fruit come harvest time.
Read More – 17 Beautiful Winter Plants For Growing Outdoors In Pots! – Winter-Hardy Plants!
10. Repair Window Screens
February is the perfect time to repair your window screens, especially if you’re anxiously waiting for the warmer months when you’ll want to open up those windows and let in some fresh air. Replacing screen mesh is much easier when not fighting against the sun’s glare or buzzing mosquitos.
- Inspect all screens for tears and damage.
- Test screen tension and frame integrity.
- Replace or repair damaged screening material.
Patch damaged holes indoors where it’s warm. Or replace the mesh entirely so they’re ready to keep bugs out when spring arrives!
11. Keep Composting Throughout Winter
Maintaining your compost pile in February keeps beneficial microbes active and ensures a supply of rich compost for spring planting. While decomposition slows in cold weather, proper management now means you’ll have usable compost ready when you need it most. Keep adding kitchen scraps, yard waste, and even some shredded paper.
- Add both green and brown materials when possible.
- Insulate the pile to maintain some microbial activity.
- Keep turning the compost – even in the bitter cold.
Your compost pile is like a microscopic city of dedicated workers who never go on strike – unless you forget to feed them!
12. Start Vermicomposting
Setting up a winter worm bin is a simple, low-maintenance way to recycle kitchen scraps like fruit peels, coffee grounds, and veggie trimmings into nutrient-rich compost. There’s no need for a backyard pile! This indoor solution maintains your commitment to waste reduction while producing nutrient-rich worm castings for spring plantings.
- Red wigglers (Eisenia fetida) are your best friends for winter worm bins. They thrive indoors and can also handle cooler temps better than other types.
- Keep your worm bin between 55 to 75°F for optimal composting. If your home is chilly, place the bin in a warm spot like an attic or near a heater (but not directly on it) to maintain a stable temperature.
- Ensure your bin has enough moisture but isn’t soggy. Think of the consistency of a wrung-out sponge.
Congratulations – you’re now running an underground empire of worm workers who pay rent in black gold!
Read More – The Ultimate Greenhouse Winter Garden Guide! Grow Food All Year Round!
13. Prepare Your Seed Starting Station
February is the perfect time to set up your seed-starting station for spring! Gather your containers, seed trays, and labels, and get ready to start your garden. Recycled yogurt cups or egg cartons work great for small batches. But don’t forget to clean them thoroughly to avoid mold or disease. Ensure you have a grow light or a sunny windowsill with plenty of indirect light—baby seedlings need 12 hours daily to thrive. Also, check your soil mix. It should be light, well-draining, and sterile to give your seeds the best chance of success.
- Sanitize all containers and equipment thoroughly.
- Test and replace grow lights if needed.
- Organize supplies for easy access.
Setting up your seed starting station is like preparing a five-star hotel for tiny, green guests!
14. Test Your Old Garden Seeds
February is a great time to take a moment to test your old garden seeds! Seeds invariably lose their viability over time, usually lasting only a few years. It’s a good idea to check their germination rate before you plant them. Place a few old seeds on a damp paper towel. Then fold it and keep it in a warm spot. After about a week, check how many have sprouted. If most have germinated, you’re good to go! If not, you should pick up fresh seeds for the season.
- Check seed packet dates and storage conditions.
- Perform germination tests on questionable seeds.
- Document results for future reference.
Don’t chuck old seeds out even if your seeds aren’t as fresh as you want. Your questionable seeds make superb candidates for starting next year’s chaos garden!
15. Clean And Prepare Your Lawn Mower
February might seem early for lawn mowing. But cleaning and preparing your lawn mower now will save you time when the grass starts raging in early spring. Start by giving it a thorough cleaning. Remove any built-up grass clippings, dirt, and debris from the blade, deck, and undercarriage.
- Check the blade for sharpness and replace it if it’s dull.
- Don’t forget to change the oil, replace the spark plug, and top off the fuel if needed.
- Store it away safely – you’ll need it before you know it.
Show your mower some love now. That way, it won’t ghost you when the grass hits ankle height in spring!
Read More – How You Can Improve Garden Soil During Winter And Year-Round!
Conclusion
As February unfolds, remember that every seed started, every tool cleaned, and every plan made is a step toward your most productive homestead year yet! You’re not just preparing for spring. You’re crafting the foundation of your homestead’s entire year. So embrace these chilly days as opportunities, knowing you quietly orchestrate your most abundant season while nature rests.
What about you?
- Are you getting tired of winter yet?
- What garden crops do you intend to plant later this year?
- Do you have any nifty spring projects planned? Let us know!
Thanks for reading.
Have a great day!
