In my area of Iowa, we are soaked. We get about 2-3 days of rain, 2-3 days of no rain, 2-3 days of rain, and now cooler (than I like) temps. We have rain coming again at the beginning of the weekend.

My garden is tilled. Nothing is in it. I have a fence to build around the garden, but the ground is so soft that I don’t think it will stay upright. We have a lot of mowing to do. I need to build a compost bin. At least most of the crops are in.

I need to get a lot done before the heat and humidity of summer comes along.

What is a homesteader to do when we can’t get a lot done outside in the Spring?

1. Keep planning the garden. Refine the plans. Dream a little more. Peruse Pinterest for more ideas. Check out different varieties. Wonder if they have their gardens planted in Alaska yet.

2. Check out the chicken coop for any repairs needed. Clean it up a bit. Watch the chickens for a while. Wonder why you find them so amusing, but decide you don’t care. The chickens love all the worms they can find in the rain.

3. Scope out the barn. Pick up and clean up a bit. Dream about building a barn or adding on to the one you have. Check out building plans.

4. Decide to tackle that one closet you have avoided for years. You are a little afraid of it, but what else do you have to do?

5. Go out to pick rhubarb. The rhubarb really likes the rain and has been growing like crazy. Good time as any to freeze, can, and preserve the rhubarb. Maybe even try a few new recipes.

6. Drag out all the chicken bones and skin, vegetable scraps, and stockpot. As good as time as any to make/can chicken stock and clean out some much-needed room in the freezer.

7. Weed if it is not raining. Weeds pull really well when the ground is soft.

8. Watch videos on YouTube about homesteading. Watch the Edwardian Farm and Victorian Farm on YouTube for the umpteenth time and still learn something new. Watch videos about all those lucky people who have their gardens in. Contemplate making your own videos.

9. Read books about homesteading. Add more projects for your list. Try some new things that you read about and actually have the stuff for.

10. Make a list of things to do. Add dishes and laundry to that list because they do count. So does sweeping and vacuuming. Then actually do those things. It might be the last time before Fall.

Just some ideas in case you are going stir crazy (like me!). Rain is great but also frustrating for those who have things to do and want to feel the warmth of the sun.

Thanks for reading,
Erica

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