August Homesteading Chores

These homesteading chores are intended as a general guideline. Most homesteaders will need to adjust their activities according to their local climate and conditions. For information tailored to your area, consult your local extension office.

Find Your Zone… Click on the link to see your average first and last frost dates.

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USDA Zone 1

Average Low Temperatures:

• -60 to -55F in zone 1a
• -55 to -50F in zone 1b

August Homesteading – Farm Chores

• Allow livestock out on pasture
• Begin preparing chicken coop and barn for winter
• Begin deep litter bedding method to heat the barn for winter
• Put up livestock feed for winter
• Put up hay as weather allows
• Irrigate and cultivate crops as needed
• Cut, split, and store firewood
• Work on building projects when the weather allows

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

August Homesteading – Garden Chores

• Transplant cool-season crops into cold frames to extend season (be prepared to cover)
• Clean out tool shed for winter storage
• Clean out the greenhouse and prepare it for winter
• Cultivate and irrigate garden crops as needed
• Water new trees, shrubs, and perennials as needed
• Preserve the harvest for winter
• Move herbs and houseplants indoors to begin acclimating for winter
• Watch for signs of disease and pests in fruits and vegetables and treat when needed

USDA Zone 2

Average Low Temperatures:

• -50 to -45F in zone 2a
• -45 to -30F in zone 2b

August Homesteading – Farm Chores

• Allow livestock out on pasture
• Begin preparing chicken coop and barn for winter
• Begin deep litter bedding method to heat the barn for winter
• Put up livestock feed for winter
• Put up hay as weather allows
• Irrigate and cultivate crops as needed
• Cut, split, and store firewood
• Work on building projects when the weather allows

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

August Homesteading – Garden Chores

• Transplant seed cool-season crops into cold frames to extend season (uncovered)
• Clean out the tool shed for winter storage
• Clean out the greenhouse and prepare it for winter
• Cultivate and irrigate garden crops as needed
• Water new trees, shrubs, and perennials as needed
• Preserve the harvest for winter
• Move herbs and houseplants indoors to begin acclimating for winter
• Watch for signs of disease and pests in fruits and vegetables and treat when needed

USDA Zone 3

Average Low Temperatures:

• -40 to -35F in zone 3a
• -35 to -30F in zone 3b

August Homesteading – Farm Chores

• Allow livestock out on pasture
• Clean out the chicken coop, barn, and tool shed to prepare for winter
• Put up livestock feed for winter
• Put up hay as weather allows
• Irrigate and cultivate crops as needed
• Check field crops for insect damage, treat as necessary
• Begin harvesting field crops as they ripen and weather allows
• Cut, split, and store firewood
• Work on building projects when the weather allows

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

August Homesteading – Garden Chores

• Transplant cool-season crops into cold frames to extend season (uncovered)
• Clean out tool shed for winter storage
• Clean out the greenhouse and prepare it for winter
• Cultivate and irrigate garden crops as needed
• Water new trees, shrubs, and perennials as needed
• Tend and harvest warm-season vegetables
• Mulch garden crops, trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals to prevent moisture loss from soil
• Water newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials as needed
• Preserve the harvest
• Move herbs and houseplants indoors to begin acclimating for winter
• Watch for signs of disease and pests in fruits and vegetables and treat when needed

USDA Zone 4

Average Low Temperatures:

• -30 to -25F in zone 4a
• -25 to -20F in zone 4b

August Homesteading – Farm Chores

• Allow livestock out on pasture
• Provide livestock with shade and extra water in hot weather
• Poultry need shade and extra water in hot weather to continue laying eggs
• Check livestock often for signs of heat distress
• Check field crops for insect damage, treat as necessary
• Begin harvesting field crops as they ripen and weather allows
• Put up hay as weather allows
• Irrigate and cultivate crops as needed
• Cut, split, and store firewood
• Work on building projects when the weather allows

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

August Homesteading – Garden Chores

• Transplant seed cool-season crops into cold frames to extend season (uncovered)
• Clean out tool shed for winter storage
• Clean out the greenhouse and prepare it for winter
• Cultivate and irrigate garden crops as needed
• Water new trees, shrubs, and perennials as needed
• Tend and harvest warm-season vegetables
• Mulch garden crops, trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals to prevent moisture loss from soil
• Water newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials as needed
• Preserve the harvest
• Move herbs and houseplants indoors to begin acclimating for winter
• Watch for signs of disease and pests in fruits and vegetables and treat when needed

USDA Zone 5

Average Low Temperatures:

• -20 to -15F in zone 5a
• -15 to -10F in zone 5b

August Homesteading – Farm Chores

• Allow livestock out on pasture
• Provide livestock with shade and extra water in hot weather
• Poultry need shade and extra water in hot weather to continue laying eggs
• Check livestock often for signs of heat distress
• Put up hay as weather allows
• Irrigate and cultivate crops as needed
• Check field crops for insect damage, treat as necessary
• Begin harvesting field crops as they ripen and weather allows
• Cut, split, and store firewood
• Work on building projects when the weather allows

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

August Homesteading – Garden Chores

• Transplant cool-season crops into cold frames to extend season (uncovered)
• Tend and harvest warm-season vegetables
• Preserve the harvest
• Mulch garden crops, trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals to prevent moisture loss from soil
• Cultivate and irrigate garden crops as needed
• Water newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials as needed
• Grow herbs and houseplants outdoors in a shady spot
• Watch for signs of disease and pests in fruits and vegetables and treat when needed

USDA Zone 6

Average Low Temperatures:

• -10 to -5F in zone 6a
• -5 to 0F in zone 6b

August Homesteading – Farm Chores

• Pasture livestock
• Provide livestock with shade and extra water in hot weather
• Poultry need shade and extra water in hot weather to continue laying eggs
• Check livestock often for signs of heat distress
• Put up hay as weather allows
• Irrigate and cultivate crops as needed
• Check field crops for insect damage, treat as necessary
• Begin harvesting field crops as they ripen and weather allows
• Cut, split, and store firewood
• Work on building projects when the weather allows
• Finish planting cool-season fodder crops

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

August Homesteading – Garden Chores

• Transplant cool-season crops into cold frames to extend season (uncovered)
• Tend and harvest warm-season vegetables
• Preserve the harvest
• Mulch garden crops, trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals to prevent moisture loss from soil
• Cultivate and irrigate garden crops as needed
• Water newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials as needed
• Grow herbs and houseplants outdoors in a shady spot
• Watch for signs of disease and pests in fruits and vegetables and treat when needed

USDA Zone 7

Average Low Temperatures:

• 0 to 5F in zone 7a
• 5 to 10F in zone 7b

August Homesteading – Farm Chores

• Pasture livestock
• Provide livestock with shade and extra water in hot weather
• Poultry need shade and extra water in hot weather to continue laying eggs
• Check livestock often for signs of heat distress
• Put up hay as weather allows
• Irrigate and cultivate crops as needed
• Check field crops for insect damage, treat as necessary
• Begin harvesting field crops as they ripen and weather allows
• Cut, split, and store firewood
• Work on building projects when the weather allows
• Prepare beds and plant cool-season fodder crops

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

August Homesteading – Garden Chores

• Direct seed cool-season crops into cold frames to extend season (uncovered)
• Plant seeds indoors to transplant into cold frames when the weather cools
• Tend and harvest warm-season vegetables
• Preserve the harvest
• Mulch garden crops, trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals to prevent moisture loss from soil
• Cultivate and irrigate garden crops as needed
• Water newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials as needed
• Grow herbs and houseplants outdoors in a shady spot
• Watch for signs of disease and pests in fruits and vegetables and treat when needed

USDA Zone 8

Average Low Temperatures:

• 10 to 15F in zone 8a
• 15 to 20F in zone 8b

August Homesteading – Farm Chores

• Pasture livestock
• Provide livestock with shade and extra water in hot weather
• Poultry need shade and extra water in hot weather to continue laying eggs
• Check livestock often for signs of heat distress
• Put up hay as weather allows
• Irrigate and cultivate crops as needed
• Check field crops for insect damage, treat as necessary
• Cut, split, and store firewood
• Work on building projects when the weather allows
• Prepare beds and plant cool-season fodder crops toward the end of the month

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

August Homesteading – Garden Chores

• Direct seed vegetables into cold frames to extend season (uncovered)
• Plant seeds indoors to transplant into cold frames when the weather cools
• Tend and harvest warm-season vegetables
• Preserve the harvest
• Water newly planted fruit trees, shrubs, hardy perennials, and roses
• Provide extra water for all crops in drought
• Mulch plants to prevent moisture loss from soil
• Grow herbs and houseplants in a shady spot outdoors
• Watch for signs of disease and pests in fruits and vegetables and treat when needed

USDA Zone 9

Average Low Temperatures:

• 20 to 25F in zone 9a
• 25 to 30F in zone 9b

August Homesteading – Farm Chores

• Provide livestock with shade and extra water in hot weather
• Poultry need shade and extra water in hot weather to continue laying eggs
• Check livestock often for signs of heat distress
• Cultivate and irrigate field crops as needed
• Check field crops for insect damage, treat as necessary
• Work on building projects when the weather allows
• Prepare beds to plant cool-season fodder crops

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

August Homesteading – Garden Chores

• Direct seed vegetables for your fall garden
• Plant fall crops indoors to transplant when the weather cools
• Tend and harvest warm-season vegetables
• Preserve the harvest
• Water newly planted fruit trees, shrubs, hardy perennials, and roses
• Provide extra water for all crops in drought
• Mulch plants to prevent moisture loss from soil
• Grow herbs and houseplants in a shady spot outdoors
• Watch for signs of disease and pests in fruits and vegetables and treat when needed

USDA Zone 10

Average Low Temperatures:

• 30 to 35F in zone 10a
• 35 to 40F in zone 10b

August Homesteading – Farm Chores

• Provide livestock with shade and extra water in hot weather
• Poultry need shade and extra water in hot weather to continue laying eggs
• Check livestock often for signs of heat distress
• Cultivate and irrigate field crops as needed
• Check field crops for insect damage, treat as necessary
• Work on building projects when the weather allows
• Prepare beds to plant cool-season fodder crops

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

August Homesteading – Garden Chores

• Direct seed vegetables for your fall garden
• Tend and harvest warm-season vegetables
• Preserve the harvest
• Water newly planted fruit trees, shrubs, hardy perennials, and roses
• Provide extra water for all crops in drought
• Protect crops with shade cloth when needed
• Check citrus trees for pests
• Water citrus trees, fruit trees, shrubs, hardy perennials, and vegetable garden as needed
• Move herbs and houseplants to shady spots and water often in the heat or move indoors
• Watch for signs of disease and pests in fruits and vegetables and treat when needed

USDA Zone 11

Average Low Temperatures:

• 40 to 45F for zone 11a
• 45 to 50F for zone 11b

August Homesteading – Farm Chores

• Provide livestock with shade and extra water in hot weather
• Poultry need shade and extra water in hot weather to continue laying eggs
• Check livestock often for signs of heat distress
• Cultivate and irrigate field crops as needed
• Check field crops for insect damage, treat as necessary
• Work on building projects when the weather allows
• Order seed for cool-season fodder crops

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

August Homesteading – Garden Chores

• Direct seed vegetables for your fall garden
• Start seeds for herbs and cool-season crops indoors to transplant in fall
• Harvest vegetables and preserve
• Water and weed herbs, vegetables and flowers in garden beds
• Water newly planted mangoes, avocados, papayas as needed
• Water, weed and mulch beds
• Check citrus trees for pests
• Grow herbs and houseplants in shade and water often in drought, or move indoors
• Watch for signs of disease and pests in fruits and vegetables and treat when needed

Notes: Within each USDA Zone, there are many different micro-climates and variations in frost-free dates, average low temperatures, and average high temperatures. Visit the Interactive USDA Zone Map for the most accurate information about your local conditions.

The information listed here is intended to give a general guideline to appropriate homesteading activities for your area. Each individual using these guidelines must determine if the information is accurate for their conditions.

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.