So many of us are working our way toward a more self-sufficient lifestyle. With that in mind we wanted to share some general guidelines of what to plan for on a monthly basis. Whether you’re a gardener, a beekeeper, a forager, or you keep animals, hopefully our monthly guides will help you plan ahead for the month. Depending on your exact climate you may find you need to adjust your schedule plus or minus two weeks or more.
Gardening:
- Keep an eye on compost to ensure that it stays damp. Turn often to keep proper aeration, allowing bacteria and worms to do their job.
- Stay on top of weeds while they’re small. They’re easier to remove before they develop strong roots.
- Cut back pastures or meadows before weeds go to seed. It’s also time to trim back the foliage on spring bulbs.
- Berry season is upon all of us – find local sources and research recipes for jams, pies, cakes, smoothies, and so on. Be sure to save some fruit in the freezer for winter time cravings!
Outdoors:
- Clean up bicycles and other recreational equipment. Make sure tires are filled properly and chains are clean and oiled.
- For more southerly folks, it may be time to sharpen the blades on mowers again.
- Reduce weed growth in gardens and paths by creating borders and keeping them tidy. Instead of dangerous chemicals consider alternatives: hand picking, mulching, smothering, or spray vinegar on undesirable plants to kill them.
Indoors:
- Clean exhaust vents on refrigerators and freezers. Make sure there is plenty of circulation during the summer when they’ll be working overtime. While you’re at it, clean out you’re the vent and lint trap on your dryer to reduce the chance for a fire and to allow lots of air flow for faster drying. Consider hang drying on a line outdoors to save energy.
- If you’re a July vacationer start preparing for your absence ahead of time. Arrange for pet care, house sitters, garden sitters and so on while you have plenty of time to look into options.
Animals:
- Check fencing for repairs. It’s a good time to paint fence posts and animal housing because of warm temperatures and less rain.
- Watch for fleas and ticks and take the necessary steps to remove/prevent them.
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What projects do you have lined up for this month?
Not Dabbling In Normal 
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