As winter’s chill grips the heart of Arkansas, our journey in preparing for the season’s first polar vortex becomes a tale worth sharing. Winter in the Ozarks are filled with their challenges. With the zone being 7A, you wouldn’t expect -20° F wind chills and temps near 0°, but here we are… dealing with exactly that.
The onset of the polar vortex brought a unique challenge to our doorstep – preparing a house with exposed plumbing, a stark contrast to the basements we were used to. The solution? A meticulous process of turning off and dripping water in strategic areas to prevent our pipes from freezing. This wasn’t just a routine check; it was a crucial step in safeguarding our home against the biting cold.
A highlight of our preparations was the acquisition of a 20-foot Warner ladder. This wasn’t just any ladder; it was a symbol of safety and utility, crucial for reaching high places to change light bulbs and add insulation. Its stability and size made it a critical tool in our winter prep arsenal, ensuring that we could carry out necessary tasks without compromising on safety.
Winter in the Ozarks is a narrative of resilience, innovation, and adaptation. It’s about facing the unexpected and turning challenges into opportunities. As we continue to document our journey, we invite you to join us, learn from our experiences, and maybe find inspiration for your own winter preparations.
Our experience wasn’t limited to just the cold. We faced downpours and gusty winds that tested every nook and cranny of our home. The result? A few leaks around window seals and some troublesome screws. Our response was swift and thorough – sealing windows, doors, and gaps, leaving no stone unturned in our quest to keep the warmth in and the cold out.
Gardening took on a new dimension as we braced for the cold snap. Our focus was on protecting our plants, particularly chives and bamboo, from the impending freeze. This meant mulching, covering, and in some cases, moving plants indoors. It was a dance with nature, trying to preserve the beauty and bounty of our garden against the harsh backdrop of winter.
The video also touches on our innovative approaches to dealing with the challenges at hand. From hydroponic cacti that needed special care as the temperature dipped, to reinforcing trees and plants against the wind, each step was a learning curve. We also delved into the intricacies of ensuring our workshop stayed warm, a task that involved more than just a simple heater.
OUTLINE: Preparing for Polar Vortex (00:00 – 00:39): Discussing the new experience of preparing for a polar vortex in Arkansas, including steps like turning off and dripping water to protect plumbing.
Ladder Safety and Insulation Work (00:40 – 01:25): Talking about receiving a 20-foot @WernerLadderCo ladder for safety during tasks like changing light bulbs and insulation work.
Addressing Weather-Related Challenges (02:06 – 02:46): Mentioning recent rain and wind challenges, and steps taken to seal windows and fix leaks around the house.
Gardening and Plant Protection (03:31 – 04:10): Discussing gardening efforts, including planning to protect chives from the cold snap and differences in gardening compared to Wisconsin.
Protecting Bamboo and Other Plants (04:56 – 05:44): Concerns about protecting bamboo and other plants from upcoming zero temperatures, including plans to add more mulch and cover them.
Hydroponic Cacti and Orchard Maintenance (05:45 – 07:36): Sharing experiences with hydroponic cacti and checking the orchard for any issues post-windstorm.
Final Preparations for Cold Weather (08:36 – 09:23): Final steps in preparing for the cold weather, such as adding extra layers to plants and reinforcing trees.
Adjustments in the Workshop (09:24 – 10:06): Moving to the workshop, discussing heating plans, and protecting bamboo plants indoors.
Final Thoughts and Future Plans (10:46 – 11:57): Concluding thoughts on the preparations and future plans, including changing a light to a fan for better heat circulation in the pole barn.
First Time Snow Motorcycling For Link!
Link, Maddie, and I had a blast riding in the snow for the first time this year. This is Link’s first year motorcycling and he’s been learning all the different types of riding that can be done. We put the GoPro on the helmet and fooled around some today (excuse to run the dog 😉
We hope to hit some trails here in the near future. Link has really progressed, and I do what I can to teach him all the different types of environments to ride in before we do any real trail riding. We started a little adventure bike group here, and there’s over 20 people already in it, ready to ride.
Playing in the snow on the Africa Twin and XR150L!
https://youtu.be/8LRZk06raNk Spring is a time of renewal and growth, but it's not without its challenges. As homesteaders, we're always at the mercy of the weather, and this spring was no exception. We faced an unexpected freeze that put our plants at risk and tested...
Hello, fellow homesteaders and gardening enthusiasts! It's Ryan here from Backroads Homesteading. In today's episode, I'm excited to take you through the early stages of planting on our homestead. With the risk of freezing temperatures looming, it's a bit of a gamble,...
In the latest episode of our Backroads Homesteading series, we decided to take our Friday coffee chat outdoors, sharing the serene backdrop of our homestead with our viewers. As the sun peeked over the hills and the cows grazed peacefully in the background, we dove...
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Every journey begins with a first step, or sometimes, it doesn’t begin at all. Many of us observe others embarking on new endeavors, often giving the illusion that we are following a similar path. However, the necessity of cultivating your own food cannot be overstated.
In these times, as we face difficulties unparalleled since the era of our great grandparents, the importance of self-sustainability becomes increasingly clear. The world, including the USA, is experiencing a level of instability and turmoil unprecedented in history, with negative forces seemingly gaining ground rapidly.
Instead of fixating on factors beyond your control, it’s time to roll up your sleeves, seek guidance and strength through prayer, and strategize for your family’s survival in these uncertain times. At The Backroads Homestead, we are committed to sowing the seeds of liberty and inspiring others to do the same. Our community not only encourages each other in these endeavors but also rewards such efforts.
Approach this as an enjoyable challenge. Avoid getting bogged down by overthinking or succumbing to despair. Recognize the grim state of the world, but choose to plan for survival rather than sinking with the metaphorical ship. Many people are overwhelmed by the fear and negativity broadcasted in the media, leading to a sense of helplessness. However, it’s crucial to move past these feelings and take action. Surround yourself with positive, action-oriented individuals, and distance yourself from naysayers.
Make it a game. Ya, I mean, keep it fun. Don’t suffer from analysis paralysis or woe be me stuff. That’ll end with your doom. Know enough to make the conscious decision to say “ok, the world is kinda sucking right now, need to plan on how to not go down with this ship”. I see so many people take the negative, fear-mongering garbage on our screens and just throw a pity party… or even a puddles pity party (below, ya, that’s a thing). Sure, everyone hurts sometimes, but then get over it! DO SOMETHING. Wipe away those tears, get with people who do the things, and get rid of the negative people who tell you you can’t. Jess, Link and I care about you, and want you to live and even thrive when the next crash goes hard-core.
Take us, as an example. Back in 2014ish, neither my wife or I had any clue how to garden, but we had a child now and parental instincts started kicking in about the world around us not heading in a good direction for our child. While we can’t control what God does, what wars happen, or how the earth goes round, we CAN start to take some effort in making things, and learning how to do things, and getting ready to deal with people who didn’t see the writing on the wall.
Let me put this a different way, to be more Frank. As society erodes, those of us who are doing the things, will gravitate towards others who are doing the things. Many will begin to see those who are not doing the things as a threat to those doing the things. Don’t be a threat, do the things. Matter to the people who will help protect you, your family, and your property. And it doesn’t take much! Those who do the things are always looking for those taking the effort to do the things, even if they fail, they are really trying, the folks doing the things may step in and help where needed.
People think you need a big farm setup and lots of land and big bucks to launch food production. Nope, grab some soil, seeds, and time to care for them, and you too, can be part of this new culture of independence resurgence. Here’s a video of how we took the simple, small backyard of our last property and turned it into a little Garden of Eden. We started with one thing, then we did another. And before you knew it… the entire back yard was producing produce, even the old hot tub! Myself, Jess, and Link are dedicated to your well-being and aim to see you not just survive but thrive in the face of future adversities. Our own journey began around 2014, with no prior knowledge of gardening, driven by parental instincts to provide a better world for our child. While we can’t control divine will, global conflicts, or the natural order, we can certainly strive to be proactive in learning and preparing for challenges.
In closing, I’d like to really put the emphasis on putting your thoughts into action. Join us and share your results with us! We all need to encourage one another and make things happen.
Welcome, friends and fellow homesteaders, to the inaugural blog post of our brand-new website, Backroads Homesteading!
We’re thrilled to invite you into this digital extension of our physical homestead nestled in the beautiful, rolling landscapes of Arkansas. Our new website isn’t just a platform; it’s a community, a resource, and a shared space for all things homesteading.
Discovering Backroads Homesteading
At Backroads Homesteading, our mission is simple: to embrace and promote a self-sufficient lifestyle that’s in harmony with nature. Whether you’re a seasoned homesteader, a curious beginner, or someone who simply loves the idea of living more sustainably, there’s something here for everyone.
What’s in Store for You?
Educational Resources: Our website is packed with informative articles, how-to guides, and practical tips on various aspects of homesteading, from organic gardening and animal care to sustainable living practices.
Interactive Community: Connect with like-minded individuals through our forums, share your experiences, ask questions, and be part of a supportive and knowledgeable community.
Shop Our Products: Explore our online shop for homesteading essentials, crafted goods, and more, all designed to make your journey into self-sufficiency smoother and more enjoyable.
Up-to-Date News & Updates: Stay informed about the latest happenings at our homestead, upcoming events, and new additions to the site through our dedicated “News & Updates” section.
Why Did We Create This Website?
Our journey into homesteading taught us the value of community, sharing knowledge, and learning from others. This website is our way of extending that sense of community beyond the physical borders of our homestead. We believe that by sharing our experiences, we can inspire and empower others to embark on their homesteading journey.
Join Us on This Exciting Adventure
We invite you to explore our website, join our newsletter for regular updates, and become an active participant in our growing online homesteading family. Your feedback, stories, and experiences are what will shape this community, and we can’t wait to hear from you.
As we say here at Backroads Homesteading, every journey starts with a single step — or, in our case, a single seed. Let’s plant that seed together and watch it grow into something beautiful.
