Farming in Fall: Staying Busy After Harvest
Farming in autumn and winter is a unique experience. For many landowners, crops have already been harvested. Farming in winter may not focus on harvesting, but there is still plenty of tasks to check off the to-do list. Below we cover a range of tasks well-suited for farming in fall. If you want more tips or want to check out farm equipment for sale, visit Cliff Jones Mahindra Tractor. Our dealership is located in Sealy, Texas. We also proudly serve those in Houston and Victoria, Texas.
Greenhouse Growing
In most areas of Texas, it's still possible to grow crops during fall and winter. Greenhouses allow you to keep farming in winter despite the plummeting temperatures. All you need is a greenhouse, which can be as simple as a canvas shelter or as elaborate as a glass-windowed building. You can seek out plants that handle cold weather, such as cabbages and carrots. One benefit of farming in winter is that weeds will be much less of an issue. If you can provide your winter crops with enough warmth and sunlight, they could even flourish.
Maintain your Equipment
After you finish your harvest, you won't need your heavy equipment for a while. That makes autumn and winter the ideal time to inspect your tractor, combine harvester, hay baler, and other equipment you own. Give each piece of equipment a thorough inspection to ensure everything is running as it should. If you notice any issues, bring it to the service department at Cliff Jones Mahindra Tractor to get repaired before the next harvest.
Inspect Your Buildings
A key part of farming in winter is ensuring your animals and equipment stays safe from the cold weather. Your shelters are crucial for keeping the cold out, so you'll want to inspect them to ensure they are up for the task. If you have animals, be sure to check your barn. If you store your equipment in sheds, be sure to check those. Are there any roof repairs that need to be tackled? Are there broken windows letting cold air seep in? Do you have enough insulation and window shutters to block out the frigid temperatures? If you spot any problems, you can fix them before the weather starts to plummet. It's important that your shelters are able to block out wind and rain.
Update Any Records
A big part of farming in fall is tending to your records. Sure, it's easy to let all those bookkeeping tasks slide when you are caught up in harvest season. But when your crops have already been harvested, you will have the time you need to devote to record keeping. Look over your accounting records and ensure everything is up to date. Analyze any data you have collected, such as how much your harvest yielded, when crops were planted, weather conditions that impacted growth, weeds or insects that affected yields, and so on. Take advantage of the off-season to get all your records up to date and ready to be utilized when it is time to plant again.
We hope you found this farming in fall and winter guide helpful! If you want to check out farm equipment for sale, head over to Cliff Jones Mahindra Tractor. Our expert staff can answer questions and provide advice, making it easy to find the ideal heavy equipment for your needs. If you notice any of your current equipment needs repair, bring it in to our service department. Whatever you need, you can find it with us. We are located in Sealy, Texas, and also serve those in Houston and Victoria. Stop by and visit today.