Spring projects are essential for preparing a farm for the growing season. As the snow melts and days grow longer, it’s the perfect time to tackle tasks that ensure fields, machinery, and equipment are ready for the months ahead.
From maintenance and cleanup to preparing firewood and garden beds, getting started early on these projects sets the stage for a productive and organized spring season.
1. Prepare Your Machinery for Spring Projects
Even before the snow is done thawing, you can get started on machinery-related spring maintenance tasks. Check your manuals and see whether your machines are due for oil changes. Then proceed with checking fluid levels, cleaning air filters, checking tire pressure and more. We covered all that and more here.
2. Rake Leaves Early in the Season
Wait, raking leaves is an autumn activity, right? Yes, that’s the theory, but if you’re like me and spend the final weeks before winter wrapping up summer projects, putting the garden to rest and getting machines under shelter, then it can be easy to let leaf cleanup slip through the cracks.
Some types of leaves (maple come to mind) are quick to disintegrate and won’t be much of a nuisance in the spring, while others (oak leaves, I’m looking at you) can be remarkably resilient and emerge from the snow with little to no signs of breakdown. Because they can choke out flower beds and prevent water from draining in low areas (creating standing puddles and mud), I recommend raking them up as soon as spring comes, so that the fresh plants of a new growing season have the best chance to thrive.
3. Clear Fallen Branches and Debris
Last year’s leaves aren’t the only tree-oriented spring cleaning you should tackle. There are more arboreal spring projects at hand.
Long winters produce a lot of casualties in tree branches, particularly if you have evergreen trees such as pines, spruces or firs. Up here in Wisconsin, a day of freezing rain in February proved particularly damaging to the evergreens, and I’ll have a lot to clean up when the snow melt is done.
In all likelihood, I’ll use a lawn mower and my trusty red wagon to handle the task. Why not a bigger tractor and a bigger wagon? Well, if I tackle cleanup right away, the ground is still pretty wet, and larger equipment would (at best) rut the ground and possibly get stuck, too. I don’t need a repeat of the hay-wagon-stuck-in-a-field incident from a few years back.
4. Cut and Stock Firewood
It’s never too early to start stocking firewood, whether for your own use or to sell. While it might seem like a good autumn activity, it’s actually better to cut firewood in the spring, which will give the wood a good six months to dry and become ideal for burning. That means it’s time to prepare your chainsaw (prep the engine, perhaps replace the chain, gather your safety gear) and fire up the log splitter (or a good old-fashioned ax) for some hard work in the forest.
Even though spring projects await, warm weather can’t come soon enough for me.
Spring Projects FAQ
Q: What are the most important spring projects for farmers?
A: Key spring projects include machinery maintenance, clearing debris, raking leaves, and cutting firewood. Tackling these early ensures a smoother, more productive season.
Q: When is the best time to start spring projects?
A: Begin as soon as the snow thaws and the ground is workable. Even light tasks, like raking leaves or prepping machinery, can be done before warmer weather arrives.
Q: Why should I cut firewood in spring instead of fall?
A: Cutting firewood in spring allows the wood to dry for several months, making it ideal for burning and reducing the risk of mold or rot.
Q: How can I avoid damaging the ground during spring cleanup?
A: Use smaller equipment like hand wagons or lawn tractors on wet ground. Larger machinery can rut or get stuck if the soil is still saturated from melting snow.
This article about spring projects on the farm was written for Hobby Farms magazine. Click here to subscribe.
