Wrapping Up Summer: A Practical Checklist for Small Farm Owners (Part 2)

In yesterday's post (find it here), I began to outline a comprehensive checklist for the end-of-summer chores that many of us face as the warm months start drawing to a close. The list turned out to be significantly longer than I initially anticipated, so I decided it would be more practical and beneficial to break the content down into two separate posts. They're both on the shorter side, but sometimes that's just the way it is.

Crop Planning for Next Season

Reflect: What Worked, What Flopped

• Take stock—was it the tomatoes that exploded with fruit, or did your beans sit there looking sad? If you had maintained a regular watering schedule for your tomatoes, they would have benefited greatly. However, if your beans received inconsistent watering or were overwatered, this could have contributed to their sad appearance.

• Sunlight is another critical factor in plant health, serving as the primary source of energy for photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy.

• Consider the impact of pests and diseases. Pests, which include insects, rodents, and weeds, can cause significant damage to crops, leading to reduced yields and economic losses for farmers.

Crop Rotation & Timing

• Crop rotation isn’t just some old farmer’s superstition—switch things up to dodge soil fatigue and pests.

• Did you end up rushing your planting last year? Or did you wait too long and get walloped by early frost?

• Make a rough calendar. Doesn’t have to be pretty, just functional.

Know Your Soil & Weather—Don’t Gamble

• Seriously, get your soil tested. You’d be surprised what’s lurking in there.

• Pay attention to your local weather patterns. If last year was non-stop rain, plan accordingly—maybe don’t bet the farm on drought-loving crops.

• Adapt, don’t just hope for the best.

Lay Out Your Timeline (You’ll Be Grateful Later)

• Even a rough schedule for planting, weeding, and harvesting saves chaos down the line.

• Pencil in buffer days. Stuff happens—rain, deer, you name it.

Diversify: Monoculture is a Trap

• Mixing up your crops isn’t just for Instagram aesthetics—pests love a buffet, so don’t serve one.

• Rotate families of crops. Beans after corn, leafy greens after root veggies, you get the idea.

• More variety means more resilience if Mother Nature throws a tantrum.

Testing Out New Crops or Varieties

Money Stuff (a.k.a. Where Did All My Cash Go?)

Tracking Last Year’s Spending

• Dig up last year’s records—bank statements, crumpled receipts, that notebook you swore you’d keep updated.

• Ask yourself: “Wait, did my cash just evaporate, or what?”

• Look for sneaky costs that added up. Sometimes it’s the little stuff—extra fertilizer, random tools, that ‘miracle’ product everyone raved about.

Was That Expensive Seed Worth It?

• Seriously, did that fancy seed or plant actually deliver, or was it all hype?

• Compare what you paid to what you got—yield, quality, headaches.

• Jot down which investments paid off and which ones made you want to scream.

• Maybe you learned that “premium” doesn’t always mean “better.” Or maybe you struck gold. Either way, keep notes for next time.

Budgeting (Without Psychic Powers)

• Make a budget, sure, but don’t act like you know the future.

• Give yourself breathing room—stuff goes sideways, weather happens, life happens.

• Add a buffer for “surprise expenses.” Spoiler: they’re not really surprises.

• If you undershot last year, adjust up. If you had cash left over (lucky you), maybe save a bit or upgrade equipment.

Getting Help When the Math Gets Ugly

• If you’re staring at a spreadsheet with cold sweats, maybe it’s time to call in a pro.

• Accountants and financial advisors exist for a reason—they actually like this stuff.

• Even a quick consult can save you from expensive mistakes or missed opportunities.

• Don’t let pride get in the way. No one hands out medals for DIY financial disasters.

Extra Tips

• Track spending as you go this season. Don’t wait ‘til tax time and hope for the best.

• Use apps or old-school notebooks, whatever sticks.

• Compare notes with other growers—sometimes the best advice comes over coffee, not from a textbook.

• Remember: Money’s a tool, not a monster. Treat it right, and you’ll stress less when next season rolls around.

Goals & Sustainability

Face the Music: What’s Not Working?

• First things first—don’t kid yourself.

• If part of your operation is a mess (hello, leaky irrigation, wasted feed, or dirt that’s more dust than soil), own it.

• Sweeping problems under the rug just means you’ll trip over them later.

Set Measurable, Down-to-Earth Goals

• Vague dreams won’t get you anywhere. Nail down goals you can actually measure:

  • Cut water waste by 15% this season.

  • Bring back pollinators—track bee sightings or install some hives.

  • Turn that patch of sad dirt into rich, crumbly soil with better organic matter.

• It’s all about turning “I want to do better” into “Here’s what I did and here’s the proof.”

Timelines: Less Wishing, More Doing

• If there’s no deadline, it’s just a nice idea floating around in your head.

• Set realistic timeframes—maybe six months to get the compost system rolling, a full year to see soil improvement.

• Check in as you go. If you’re off track, tweak the plan instead of abandoning ship.

Don’t Go It Alone: Tap into Your Local Crew

• Seriously, why reinvent the wheel?

• Local ag groups, co-ops, or even that chatty guy at the feed store probably have tried-and-true tricks (and know which ones are a waste of time).

• Plus, a little moral support doesn’t hurt—farming’s rough enough without going solo.

• Swap stories, share gear, maybe even team up for bigger projects.

Extra Nuggets:

• Keep a notebook or app to track your progress. You’ll thank yourself later.

• Celebrate the wins, even the tiny ones. Got your first earthworms back? That’s a party, honestly.

• Don’t let setbacks kill your vibe. Every farm’s a work in progress.

Document Everything

Keep a Record—You’ll Thank Yourself Later:

• Jot down what you found, when, and where. Good, bad, ugly—all of it.

• Use whatever works: a notebook, an app, the back of your seed bag (okay, maybe not long-term).

Details Matter:

• Add in dates, weather notes, what pests showed up, and any treatments you tried.

• The more info, the better you’ll be at spotting patterns or prepping for next year.

Review Your Notes:

• When you’re planning next season or troubleshooting, those records are gold.

• You’ll avoid making the same mistakes—and maybe brag a little when things go right.

Put in the work today, and fall will feel a heck of a lot less stressful—and probably a lot more productive. Trust me, your future self is already high-fiving you.