The first snow has fallen at our farm and the temperatures are consistently dipping below zero.
The goats are happy enough to frolic around in the crusty snow. However, the chickens are a little more hesitant. I’ve been spreading a little bit of hay on top of the snow in their run, and the chickens are enjoying scratching around in it looking for seeds.
For the urban chicken keepers out there, you probably don’t have to provide supplemental heat, but eliminate drafts and keep the coop dry. Frostbite from damp conditions is more dangerous for chickens than cold temperatures.
My oldest goat, Freya, is wearing her purple fleece jacket to help keep the chill off; her winter coat didn’t come in as well as all the other goats’. She looks quite dapper trotting around the winter pasture.
I am using the snow as an excuse to stop working in the garden. I had been procrastinating one last round of weeding, and then the snow fell and put those plans on hold indefinitely. I’ve found that the warmer-than-usual temperatures this November gave the weeds in my garden
one last push. If we get a warm spell this month I may be able to deal with them, or I’ll have to wait until the spring. December is a pretty quiet month in the garden, so enjoy the break!
With the holiday season approaching, you may be looking for a great gift for the veggie-growing fiends in your life. Here’s my wish list:
Felco Classic Pruner: The Felcos in my life have never failed me! They cut cleanly and stay sharp longer than any of my other pruners. I also appreciate that the blades and parts are replaceable, so they’re not a throwaway tool.
HungryBin: This is by far the best-designed worm-composting bin I’ve ever used. The large size of this unit means that it can handle all your kitchen waste and the finished compost it produces is one of the best organic amendments you could wish for. Better than reindeer poop!
Ho-mi Digger: I feel like I might as well tape this tool onto my arm in the spring because I use it so much. It’s sturdy, sharp and can handle everything from weeding to transplanting.
Garden Bandit: A great stocking stuffer. This little gem may seem small and unimposing but it is a fantastic weeder. I love using this to weed the carrot beds, which need a precise tool to avoid wiping out your crop.
Harvest Apron: There are a few different brands but I’m hoping to try the Roo Apron next season. It is a hardy apron built to harvest large amounts of produce or weeds, has padded straps for comfort and is designed to be easily unloaded without making a mess.
Herb Garden: If you prefer the DIY option, plant some basil, chives, oregano (or your other favourite herbs) in small pots. They’ll do well in a bright windowsill and the gardener in your life can harvest fresh through the winter.
Magazine subscription: There are a lot of great magazines for gardeners and farmers. Some of my favourites include: Small Farm Canada, Modern Farmer, Rodale’s Organic Life and Urban Farm Magazine.
Enjoy the winter!
Emily Jubenvill grew up on the North Shore and is passionate about growing fresh organic food. She’s starting an organic farm, and working for the North Shore Neighbourhood House’s Edible Garden Project.
