Homesteading here isn’t just about gardens and animals — it’s about adapting to Vermont’s four distinct seasons. Each one demands different tools, habits, and a mindset shift. Over the years, I’ve learned to stop fighting the seasons and start preparing for them. These are the resources that make the transitions smoother.
Fall – Buttoning Up Before Winter
Autumn is about preparation. This is when I stack wood, insulate sheds, and line shelves with canned food. Once snow hits, you want to feel ready.
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Firewood Racks & Covers – Keep your wood high, dry, and ready to burn.
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Weather Sealing Kits – Simple rolls of foam and door sweeps can save huge on heating.
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Bulk Feed Storage Bins – Airtight containers keep grain safe from mice before winter hits.
❄️ Winter – Hunkering Down
Winter is long, dark, and cold — but with the right gear, it can be deeply satisfying. For me, it’s about warmth, light, and routines that keep animals comfortable.
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Muck Boots (Insulated) – My daily winter uniform for chores.
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Rechargeable Headlamps – Because chores don’t stop at 4:30 p.m.
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Wool Blankets & Throws – Old-fashioned but essential when you heat with wood.
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Rubber Water Crocks – Easy to swap when ice sets in.
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Portable Power Station – For running small lights or charging tools in an off-grid shed.
Spring – Mud & Renewal
Spring in Vermont is two things at once: hopeful green shoots and ankle-deep mud. It’s sugaring season, seed-starting season, and the messy bridge between winter and summer.
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Muck Boots (Uninsulated) – You’ll wear these daily. Mud is not optional here.
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Gravel or Wood Chips for Paths – Essential for keeping walkways safe.
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Seed Starting Kits & Grow Lights – Start your garden inside while snow still lingers.
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Maple Tapping Kit – Even a few taps on backyard maples will surprise you with syrup.
☀️ Summer – Growth & Abundance
Summer is short, fast, and full. Gardens explode, animals thrive, and every day feels like a race to make the most of it.
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Rainwater Collection Barrels – A simple way to stretch water in dry spells.
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Garden Irrigation Kits – Drip hoses save time and energy.
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Portable Shade Structures – For animals and plants during hot stretches.
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Dehydrators – Perfect for drying herbs, fruit, and greens at peak season.
My Philosophy on Seasonal Living
Each season brings its own frustrations — frozen buckets, muddy boots, too much zucchini — but also its own rewards. I’ve learned that the best way to stay sane in Vermont is to stop expecting one season to last and instead lean into the cycle.
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Fall teaches preparation.
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Winter teaches endurance.
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Spring teaches patience.
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Summer teaches gratitude.
And with the right tools and habits, each season becomes less of a struggle and more of a rhythm.