5 Smallholding Jobs to Do Before Harvest Season Arrives

By Hywel Griffiths Jun 4, 2026

June is a busy month on any smallholding.

The days are longer, livestock routines are in full swing and outdoor jobs can quickly build up before the main harvest season arrives. Whether you keep poultry, sheep, goats, pigs or a mixture of animals, early summer is the ideal time to get organised.

A few practical jobs now can make the next few months easier, safer and more productive. From checking fencing and cleaning housing to reviewing feed, water and everyday tools, this smallholding checklist will help you stay ahead before the busiest part of the year begins.

1. Check Fencing Before Growth Gets Out Of Hand

By June, grass, hedges and weeds can grow quickly around boundaries and paddocks. This can hide loose wire, leaning posts or damaged gateways that may have been easier to spot earlier in spring.

Walk your boundaries carefully and inspect any areas that contain livestock. Pay close attention to farm and smallholding fencing and hardware, especially where animals regularly push, rub or lean against posts.

If repairs are needed, check whether you need replacement wire fencing, fencing posts, gates or fixings.

For temporary grazing areas, rotational setups or awkward corners, electric fencing can also be useful during the summer months.

2. Review Poultry Feed, Water And Housing

Poultry routines often change during summer. Birds may spend more time outside, drink more frequently and scratch through feed more quickly.

Make sure your poultry feed, grit and care supplies are well stocked so you are not caught short during a busy week.

Clean, reliable water is especially important. Check your poultry feeders and drinkers for cracks, leaks or build up, and make sure they are positioned where birds can access them easily throughout the day.

Summer is also a good time to give coops and runs a proper clean. Regular use of poultry house cleaning products helps keep housing fresher and reduces the risk of pests becoming established.

If you are managing laying hens, chicks or mixed flocks, it is also worth reviewing poultry healthcare and poultry supplements before the season gets busier.

3. Prepare Tools For Daily Jobs

Smallholding work is often made harder by missing, blunt or broken tools.

Before harvest season arrives, take time to check the equipment you rely on most. This might include fencing tools, buckets, forks, sprayers, barrows and everyday hand tools.

A reliable selection of farm and smallholding tools can save a lot of frustration when jobs need doing quickly.

It is also worth reviewing your farm and smallholding maintenance supplies. Cleaning, disinfecting, repairing and treating small issues early can prevent larger problems later in the season.

For mixed use jobs around sheds, pens, coops and paddocks, strong buckets and trugs are some of the most useful items to keep close to hand.

4. Check Livestock Health And Feeding Routines

Early summer is a good time to review the animals on your holding and make sure their feeding routines still match the season.

Growing animals, working animals and animals in milk may need different support compared with quieter parts of the year.

Browse your regular livestock supplies and check whether you need to top up feed, bedding, supplements or handling equipment.

If you keep sheep, review your sheep supplies. If you keep cattle, make sure your cattle supplies and cattle feeding essentials are in place.

Smallholders with pigs, goats or camelids should also check feed stores and daily care items through pig supplies, pig feed, goats and camelids and goat food.

During busier outdoor periods, electrolytes for animals can also be worth keeping in mind as part of a wider animal care routine.

5. Get Clothing And Boots Ready For Busy Days

June may bring better weather, but smallholding jobs still involve mud, wet grass, dust, feed, bedding and plenty of walking.

Having the right clothing makes daily work easier and more comfortable.

Check your farm and smallholding clothing before the busiest weeks arrive. Practical workwear, waterproof layers and gloves can make a big difference when jobs need doing whatever the weather.

For wet mornings, long grass and animal care jobs, farm and smallholding wellingtons and farm and smallholding boots are essentials.

For everyday tasks, a good pair of farm and smallholding gloves helps protect your hands when handling fencing, tools, bedding and feed.

A More Organised Smallholding Starts Now

Harvest season can quickly become demanding, especially when animal care, land management and day to day jobs all need attention at the same time.

By using June to check fencing, clean poultry housing, organise tools, review livestock routines and prepare clothing, you can make the months ahead feel much more manageable.

Smallholding life will always involve unexpected jobs, but good preparation helps reduce the stress and keeps everything running more smoothly.

Smallholding Essentials Before Harvest

Frequently Asked Questions

What jobs should I do on a smallholding in June?

Key June jobs include checking fencing, cleaning poultry housing, reviewing livestock feeding routines, organising tools and preparing clothing for the busier summer months.

Why is June important for smallholding preparation?

June is a useful time to get organised before harvest season, when outdoor work, animal care and maintenance jobs can all become more demanding.

How often should poultry housing be cleaned in summer?

Poultry housing should be checked regularly and cleaned as needed. Warmer weather can make hygiene and pest control more important.

What fencing should I check before harvest season?

Check boundary fencing, gateways, posts, wire, electric fencing and any areas where livestock frequently lean, rub or gather.

What tools are useful on a smallholding?

Useful tools include fencing pliers, buckets, trugs, sprayers, hammers, cleaning equipment and everyday maintenance tools for sheds, coops, paddocks and livestock areas.