If your farm is experiencing winter temperatures or you live in a naturally cold climate year-round, you may be wondering how you can farm or grow your food when it’s too chilly for many crops. Livestock also don’t do well in the cold, so they may not yield as much or as fast. Fortunately, there are a few techniques you can use to keep your farm, animals, buildings, or garden happy and healthy, even when snowflakes or temperatures hit.

Create a Greenhouse

You don’t have to wait until spring or summer to grow the foods you like. A greenhouse is a sheltered, climate-controlled environment that allows for year-round plant growth. Many farms have expansive greenhouses to grow large crops during cold weather, but there are also small greenhouses for more casual edible gardens as well. Regardless of the temperature or conditions outside, a greenhouse can be heated as warm as you’d like. You can even grow tropical fruits or vegetables with the right greenhouse conditions.

Cover Your Plants

If you have any plants outside, including perennials that may be more sensitive to extreme cold, you can use a cover, like a freeze blanket, to keep them warmer. These covers act as insulation to help the soil retain warmth even when it gets cold out. With warmer soil, the plant stays warm, too. While a cover won’t be as effective in extreme cold, it can work very well for temperatures as low as 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

Prepare Your Soil

When it gets cold, the soil can freeze, limiting a plant’s access to nourishment. Enriching the soil with compost, manure, or other natural fertilizers packs it with nutrients that can help a plant thrive even when it gets too cold. Winter-resistant ground cover like clover can also add nutrients to the soil. An extra layer of mulch is a great choice to help the soil retain its water and warmth in the winter.

Shelter Your Livestock

Exposure to snow or extreme cold can harm or even kill livestock. You’ll want to ensure you have a barn, stable, or sheltered pen to protect any farm animals from the cold. Cats, dogs, cows, goats, chickens, and horses all should be properly sheltered when temperatures reach a certain point. Blizzards, wind, and snow can make temperatures feel even colder. You don’t need intricate heating systems or heavy insulation in most cases, though that certainly wouldn’t hurt in extremely cold locations. A simple structure will do wonderfully in most scenarios, however. Pole barns are sturdy, cost-effective, and can provide adequate shelter for any type of livestock. Searching for pole barn construction near me allowed me to compare quotes and include insulation options if necessary. If you need to build a barn, be sure to compare builders, plans, and materials before choosing the right options for you.

Prune Dead Leaves

Plants will need to use all of their resources to keep themselves nourished during the winter months. If there is excessive dead growth, it may be counterproductive to their health. You’ll also want your plants to be in peak condition when spring arrives. Pruning dead leaves or dead growth can keep your plants healthy during the winter.

Plant Cold-Resistant Crops

Some plants are hardier to cold weather than others. Leaks, parsnips, and winter squash are some of the many options you can choose from that thrive in cooler weather. If you don’t have a greenhouse, these crops will be sturdier and easier to keep alive in cooler months. However, you’ll want to make sure that they are protected if extreme cold occurs. Check your local climate and research cold-resistant crops to make the best decisions for your area.

Protect Irrigation

You’ll want to put away your irrigation systems; water expands as it freezes, which can damage pipes when it comes time to water your crops again in the warmer seasons. Be sure to fully drain water from any hoses, sprinklers, pipes, or drip systems. Turning off the water supply to the outdoor irrigation system can prevent any excess leakage from freezing. If any pipes or faucets are exposed, you may want to wrap them in insulating covers to keep them protected.

Store Your Equipment

Equipment shouldn’t be left out in the cold, either, as this can lead to battery damage, electrical issues, and more. Store your equipment and consider covering it to protect it from excess moisture. A fresh oil change and antifreeze for larger equipment can also help protect it in the winter.

Conclusion

Winter doesn’t mean the end of your farm or edible garden. With the usage of greenhouses, livestock shelters, plant covers, and equipment storage, you can protect your crops and animals from the harshest weather. You’ll also be able to come out ahead when it warms up and opens up the opportunity for spring and summer crops. Winterizing your farm will save you time and effort in the long run.

John Mali Director of Media Relations

Director of Media Relations at AboutBoulder.com

john@aboutboulder.com