Learning to Live by the Season

It is high summer right now on the East coast, and that means abundant sunshine, summer storms, and sticky, humid, miserable weather. Think mosquitoes, sunburn, and sweaty clothes. I have been a horseback rider and instructor nearly all my life, so I’m no stranger to being out in the weather in every season. But for me, summer is the season I dread. There’s so much that needs to be done, but the thought of doing anything laborious in this heat and humidity makes me drag my feet. 

It’s been just over two years since my husband and I moved to our permanent homestead. Our goal is to raise our family somewhat removed from the high-stress and image-driven pressures of modern life. To accomplish this, we are using this small piece of land to raise more of our own food and allow our children to grow up familiar with animals, nature, responsibility, and hard work. There is no end to the daily chores and future projects that are waiting to be done. We are learning to pace ourselves. That helps us maintain a restful mindset, even while we pursue big dreams. One way that we are learning to do this is to work with the seasons, instead of against them. 

Winter

Most people think of winter as a time of rest – and it is – but for me, it is also a time of planning and preparation. During the cold, dark days of the year, I am carefully considering what worked well last year and what didn’t. Where could we improve on time and resources spent? I am making lists of crops I want to grow and planning how much space I need. Winters on the East coast aren’t particularly snowy or harsh, so I’m also using the occasional pleasant winter day to add compost to garden beds, lay out where the future greenhouse will be, gather supplies, cut down trees and chop wood – projects that would be miserable in summer, but are actually pleasant activities in the cold! 

Spring

My favorite season by far, but it is also the busiest season on any homestead. We are starting seeds, planting early crops, preparing new garden beds, adding perennial herbs and fruits,  hatching chicks, breeding rabbits, and keeping up with all the space and nutritional needs of all the new animals on the farm. Things are growing and need attention, whether watering, weeding, feeding or cleaning. Spring is our hustle season. 

Summer

If I have planned and prepared well, summer is when we start to slow down a bit. The garden is mature and producing, most of the baby animals are not quite as demanding, and I begin to turn my attention more toward preserving as much food as possible for winter. This year for the first time we are growing berries. We harvest in the early morning every other day, wash and dry the day’s harvest, and then bag, label and freeze for winter. It amazes me the abundance of summer. We can eat a pint of fresh blackberries every day! A pint that would cost $6 in the grocery store. 

Fall

By this time of year, my motivation is zilch. Harvest is slowing down (thank God!), and we are slowly shrinking any project that requires daily input. We harvest any rabbits that we have been growing out on grass for the summer. We will only winter over our breeding stock to keep winter chores light. As the garden beds finish production, they are covered with green chop, hay and manure to compost over winter, adding nutrition to the soil and preventing winter weed growth. We are ready for our winter rest. We will do very little on the farm until after the holidays have passed. Now is a season of enjoying the abundance of the year and sharing it with friends and family. By the time the new year comes, and the depth of winter, our thoughts will again be turning toward the coming growing season. 

Restful Work

Whatever season you find yourself in today, consider what work is called for right where you are. Is it a hustle season? A rest season? A season to hold loved ones close and treasure the small moments? Remember that God provided seasons and rhythms for a reason. Learn to work with them, instead of against them, and you will find your work more productive, and your rest more satisfying.