September Homesteading Chores by USDA Zone – The New Homesteader's Almanac

September 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

September Homesteading – Farm Chores

Allow livestock out on pasture during the day
Make sure chicken coop and barn are ready for winter
Use deep litter bedding method to heat the barn for winter
Finish putting up livestock feed for winter
Assess feed supplies to ensure they will last through winter
Butcher or sell extra livestock
Check fence lines for damage and signs of predators
Cut, split, and store firewood

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September Homesteading – Garden Chores

Tend to your cool-season crops in cold frames
Be prepared to cover cold frames when a hard freeze threatens
Clean out tool shed for winter storage
Make sure garden hoses and tools are cleaned and put away for winter
Clean out the greenhouse and prepare it for winter
Water new trees, shrubs, and perennials when the weather is dry
Treat tender evergreens with anti-desiccants
Preserve the harvest for winter
Store crops in the root cellar and check often for signs of decay

USDA Zone 2

Average Low Temperatures:

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

September Homesteading – Farm Chores

Allow livestock out on pasture when the weather allows
Finish preparing chicken coop and barn for winter
Begin deep litter bedding method to heat the barn for winter
Finish putting up livestock feed for winter
Assess feed supplies to ensure they will last through winter
Butcher or sell extra livestock
Check fence lines for damage and signs of predators
Cut, split, and store firewood
Work on building projects when the weather allows

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

September Homesteading – Garden Chores

Tend to your cool-season crops in cold frames
Be prepared to cover cold frames when a hard freeze threatens
Clean out tool shed for winter storage
Make sure garden hoses and tools are cleaned and put away for winter
Clean out the greenhouse and prepare it for winter
Water new trees, shrubs, and perennials when the weather is dry
Treat tender evergreens with anti-desiccants
Preserve the harvest for winter
Store crops in the root cellar and check often for signs of decay

USDA Zone 3

Average Low Temperatures:

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

September Homesteading – Farm Chores

Allow livestock out on pasture when the weather allows
Finish preparing chicken coop and barn for winter
Begin deep litter bedding method to heat the barn for winter
Finish putting up livestock feed for winter
Assess feed supplies to ensure they will last through winter
Finish harvesting grain crops when the weather allows
Butcher or sell extra livestock
Check fence lines for damage and signs of predators
Cut, split, and store firewood
Work on building projects when the weather allows

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

September Homesteading – Garden Chores

Tend to your cool-season crops in cold frames
Clean out tool shed for winter storage
Make sure garden hoses and tools are cleaned and put away for winter
Clean out the greenhouse and prepare it for winter
Water new trees, shrubs, and perennials as needed
Harvest fruits and vegetables as they ripen
Cover tender crops when frost threatens
Begin storing crops in the root cellar and check often for signs of decay
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

USDA Zone 4

Average Low Temperatures:

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

September Homesteading – Farm Chores

Allow livestock out on pasture
Prepare chicken coop and barn for winter
Consider using deep litter bedding method to heat the barn for winter
Put up livestock feed for winter
Assess feed supplies to ensure they will last through winter
Begin to butcher or sell extra livestock
Check fence lines for damage and signs of predators
Harvest 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.

September Homesteading – Garden Chores

Tend to your cool-season crops in cold frames
Clean out tool shed for winter storage
Make sure garden hoses and tools are cleaned and put away for winter
Clean out the greenhouse and prepare it for winter
Cultivate and irrigate garden crops as needed
Water new trees, shrubs, and perennials as needed
Harvest fruits and vegetables as they ripen
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
Cover tender crops when frost threatens
Begin storing crops in the root cellar and check often for signs of decay

USDA Zone 5

Average Low Temperatures:

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

September Homesteading – Farm Chores

Allow livestock out on pasture
Watch for hot spells and cold snaps this month
Prepare chicken coop and barn for winter
Consider using deep litter bedding method to heat the barn for winter
Put up livestock feed for winter
Assess feed supplies to ensure they will last through winter
Begin to butcher or sell extra livestock
Check fence lines for damage and signs of predators
Harvest 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.

September Homesteading – Garden Chores

Tend to your cool-season crops in cold frames
Clean out tool shed for winter storage
Make sure garden hoses and tools are cleaned and put away for winter
Clean out the greenhouse and prepare it for winter
Cultivate and irrigate garden crops as needed
Water new trees, shrubs, and perennials as needed
Harvest fruits and vegetables as they ripen
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
Cover tender crops when frost threatens
Begin storing crops in the root cellar and check often for signs of decay

USDA Zone 6

Average Low Temperatures:

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

September Homesteading – Farm Chores

Allow livestock out on pasture
Watch for hot spells and cold snaps this month
Begin preparing chicken coop and barn for winter
Put up livestock feed for winter
Bale last of hay if the weather allows
Assess feed supplies to ensure they will last through winter
Begin to butcher or sell extra livestock
Check fence lines for damage and signs of predators
Harvest 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.

September Homesteading – Garden Chores

Tend to your cool-season crops in cold frames
Harvest fruits and vegetables
Preserve the harvest
Clean out tool shed for winter storage
Begin cleaning and storing garden hoses and tools for winter
Clean out the greenhouse and prepare it for winter
Mulch garden crops, trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals to prevent moisture loss from soil
Cultivate and irrigate garden crops as needed
Cover tender crops when frost threatens
Water newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials as needed
Move potted herbs and houseplants indoors to acclimate for the winter
Watch for signs of disease and pests in fruits and vegetables and treat when needed
Clean out the root cellar and prepare to store the harvest

USDA Zone 7

Average Low Temperatures:

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

September Homesteading – Farm Chores

Allow livestock out on pasture
Begin preparing chicken coop and barn for cold weather
Put up livestock feed for winter
Bale hay if the weather allows
Assess feed supplies to ensure they will last through winter
Prepare to butcher or sell extra livestock
Check fence lines for damage and signs of predators
Harvest 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.

September Homesteading – Garden Chores

Tend to your cool-season crops in the garden
Transplant cool-season seedlings into a cold frame to extend the growing season
Harvest fruits and vegetables
Preserve the harvest
Clean out tool shed for winter storage
Begin cleaning and storing garden hoses and tools for winter
Clean out the greenhouse and prepare it for winter
Mulch garden crops, trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals to prevent moisture loss from soil
Cultivate and irrigate garden crops as needed
Cover tender crops if an early frost threatens
Water newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials as needed
Prepare potted herbs and houseplants for moving indoors
Watch for signs of disease and pests in fruits and vegetables and treat when needed
Clean out the root cellar and prepare to store the harvest

USDA Zone 8

Average Low Temperatures:

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

September 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 for signs of heat distress
Put up livestock feed for winter
Put up hay as weather allows
Harvest field crops as they ripen and weather allows
Check field crops for insect damage, treat as necessary
Cut, split, and store firewood
Work on building projects when the weather allows
Plant cool-season fodder crops
Prepare to butcher or sell extra livestock
Check fence lines for damage and signs of predators

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

September Homesteading – Garden Chores

Transplant cool-season vegetables into cold frames to extend the season
Tend cool-season crops in the garden
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 conditions
Mulch plants to prevent moisture loss from soil
Prepare potted herbs and houseplants for moving indoors
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

September 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
Harvest field crops as they ripen and weather allows
Cultivate and irrigate field crops as needed
Check crops for insect damage, treat as necessary
Prepare beds and plant cool-season fodder crops
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.

September Homesteading – Garden Chores

Transplant vegetables for your fall garden
Direct seed cool-season crops in the 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
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

September 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
Harvest field crops as they ripen and the weather allows
Check field crops for insect damage, treat as necessary
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.

September 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

September 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
Harvest field crops as they ripen and the weather allows
Check field crops for insect damage, treat as necessary
Work on building projects when the weather allows
Order seed and prepare beds for cool-season fodder crops

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

September 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 citrus, mangoes, avocados, and 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
Fertilize citrus fruits, avocadoes, and papayas

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.