If you’re like me, then you’ve been counting down the days until warmer weather arrived to get all your “spring cleaning” items crossed off your checklist. (Because who wants to go outside in almost freezing temperatures and clean?)

Now that winter is finally over and you’ve gone through and prepped your hobby farm with some of the tips outlined in the Get Your Hobby Farm Ready for Winter, you can dive into some essential spring cleaning for your hobby farm! Here’s a quick and simple “to-do” list for a deep and detailed spring cleaning of your hobby farm:

1. If you haven’t already taken a stroll through your property and assessed it for any damage or debris that needs to be cleared, do that first. Heavy winds from snow or ice storms may have knocked down trees or brought in debris from surrounding properties. Make sure to clean and clear your property so the land (and any animals, if you have them) on your hobby farm can get all of the vital nutrients. Be sure to check your barns/buildings and fences surrounding your property to see if they will need any repairs. And don’t forget about checking your water supplies (ponds, rivers, etc.).

2. Next, you’ll want to take on some maintenance work. Do any routine maintenance on farm equipment such as hand tools, electric tools, trailers, utility vehicles, etc. During this step, you’ll want to check your equipment for any leaks, rust, low tire pressure – anything that could potentially damage your expensive tools. If you have animals on your hobby farm, you’ll want to pay attention to them too. Any furry livestock like horses, sheep or goats will need grooming and coat care. This is also a good time to give their living spaces a good and deep clean.

3. The last essential step in your spring cleaning should be to organize and stock up for the rest of the year. Go through last year’s supplies and check expiration dates, get your medical kits and supplies ready for any emergencies, and re-stock on food for your hobby farm animals. Spring is also a great time to purchase any new equipment that you need to replace. Once you’ve got your supplies and tools stocked and ready to go, be sure to organize them in your barn or outside building to keep things neat and orderly until your next deep clean!