Fall Homestead Prep: 10 Essential Chores to Do Before Winter
Last updated on December 11th, 2025 at 09:06 pm
Fall is one of my favorite seasons! To be fair, I also love winter and spring. I enjoy the cold and the comfort of our wood-burning stove (and fall definitely has its chilly moments). Spring is exciting because it brings baby lambs, which I always look forward to. Then there is fall and fall homestead prep.
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Fall has a special place in my heart. The wide range of colors that paint the landscape is breathtaking—and pumpkin spice everything just makes it better! I am a complete sucker for pumpkin spice. When pumpkin spice eggnog shows up in the store… ugh, that is kryptonite for me. Whoever came up with the idea of mixing my two favorite flavors deserves a medal!
Fall Homestead Prep
While fall is cozy and beautiful, it’s also the time to start preparing the homestead for winter. In our area, winters can be cold and wet (though this year we keep hearing it may be another hot, dry one—please, no!). Either way, fall is when the big chores get done.
Here’s our list of fall prep work (in no particular order):
- Hoof trimming
- Deep cleaning all animal housing
- Adding fresh straw
- Winterizing the water system
- Canning and preserving the harvest
- Getting the mudroom ready
- Pulling out farm winter clothes
- Organizing and storing summer items
- Cleaning out vehicles
- Stocking up wood for the stove
Tips for Harvest Season
From August to September, it’s best not to plan too much—or at least stay flexible. Harvest runs on its own schedule, and sometimes that means canceling plans or staying up until 3 a.m. (yes, I’ve done that!).
Trust me—it’s so much easier to prepare everything in late summer and early fall before snow hits. Your animals will thank you for a clean area, fresh bedding, and warm shelters as the cold sets in. And you’ll thank yourself for getting ahead of the rush when winter finally arrives.
