Whether you’re protecting the pumps on your farm equipment, making sure the kids have boots that actually fit, or keeping your outdoor animals comfortable, winter prep doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It just takes a little planning and the right supplies.
We’ve put together five essential areas that make the biggest difference when cold weather arrives: winterizing your pumps and equipment, stocking up on family gear while the selection’s good, caring for your pets, staying ahead of rodents, and getting your home ready. Let’s walk through each one so you can tackle winter preparation with confidence.
Tip #1: Winterize Your Pumps and Equipment
Most folks think about winterizing their RV, but that’s just the beginning. Your sprayers, pressure washers, and any other equipment with pumps need the same protection when temperatures drop. Water left sitting in these systems can freeze, expand, and cause expensive damage.
RV antifreeze is your best friend here. It protects against freezing down to negative 50 degrees—well below anything Minnesota can throw at us. That same antifreeze works perfectly for your field sprayers, pressure washers, and any other pumps around your farm or property.
Don’t forget your tractors and outdoor equipment either. Change the oil, check your batteries, and make sure antifreeze levels are where they need to be. Cold weather is hard on engines, especially ones that sit outside. Taking care of these basics now means your equipment will be ready when you need it.
Get your tools cleaned and stored in a dry place where they won’t rust over winter. A little prevention now saves you from replacing corroded equipment come spring.
Tip #2: Stock Up Early on Family Winter Gear
It’s almost guaranteed that at least some of your kids’ winter gear no longer fits, never made it home from school last spring, or somehow they ended up with two left boots. Sound familiar? You’re in good company. Every family faces this same scramble when the first cold snap hits.
The smart move is taking stock of your family’s winter gear needs early and shopping while the selection is at its best. We always start the season with a full range of sizes, colors, and patterns for the whole family. However, once we start to run low on popular items, it’s often difficult to restock since most seasonal clothing needs to be ordered months in advance.
Don’t just check the kids’ gear either. Adults need a gear check too—that favorite pair of work gloves might have developed holes, or your winter boots might not be as waterproof as they used to be. Check everyone’s coats, boots, gloves, hats, and any specialized gear you need for outdoor work.
Shopping early means you get first pick of the best selection, better prices, and avoid the stress of last-minute shopping when everyone else is doing the same thing.
Tip #3: Don’t Forget Your Pets
As freezing temperatures approach, your outdoor pets are going to face the same challenges you do. Namely staying warm and having access to fresh water. The difference is, they can’t turn on a faucet when their water bowl turns into a block of ice.
Heated pet bowls are a simple solution that makes a big difference for your outdoor animals. They come in a variety of sizes to fit everything from your barn cats to your livestock, and they work automatically to keep water from freezing even on the coldest days. No more hauling hot water outside multiple times a day or chipping ice out of bowls.
If you’ve got animals spending time outdoors this winter, take a look at their shelter situation too. A windbreak or extra bedding can help them stay comfortable when temperatures drop. And it’s always smart to stock up on extra pet food—winter storms can make supply runs difficult, and outdoor animals often need more calories to stay warm.
Taking care of your animals’ basic needs now means less worry and less work for you when the cold weather hits.
Tip #4: Prepare for Rodent Invasion
We’re not the only ones looking to stay warm this winter. Mice are also moving indoors, and they’re looking for the same cozy spots you are—your equipment cabs, storage areas, and seasonal buildings. The good news is you can stop them before they become a real problem.
Fresh Cab is an excellent rodent repellent that works great in agricultural equipment and truck cabs. It’s specifically designed for enclosed spaces where you need protection without the risks that come with traditional poisons.
For areas where you want a more aggressive approach, we carry mouse and rat poison in several different forms depending on where you want to place them:
- Bait packs – Perfect for tight spaces and areas where you need discrete placement
- Bait blocks – Longer-lasting option for outdoor use and larger infestations
- Bait stations – Secure, tamper-resistant options that keep poison away from pets and children
Don’t forget about your seasonal buildings either. Cabins, RVs, and storage sheds that don’t see much use during winter months are prime targets for mice looking for a quiet place to set up camp. A little prevention now beats dealing with damaged wiring, chewed insulation, and unwelcome surprises come spring.
Tip #5: Create a Winter Prep Checklist
With everything we’ve covered, it helps to have a simple checklist you can work through at your own pace. Here’s what we recommend tackling before the first hard freeze:
- Equipment: Winterize pumps with RV antifreeze, service tractors, store tools properly
- Family gear: Check everyone’s winter clothing sizes and condition, shop early for replacements
- Pets: Set up heated water bowls, improve outdoor shelter, stock extra food
- Rodent control: Place Fresh Cab in equipment, set up bait stations in key areas
- Home basics: Seal drafts, service heating system, stock ice melt and emergency supplies
The key is starting now while you have time to address any issues that come up. Waiting until the first snowstorm hits means you’re shopping with everyone else and paying premium prices for whatever’s left on the shelves.
Take it one step at a time, and you’ll be ready for whatever winter brings.
Farm City Supply is Here For You
At Farm City Supply, we know the future of farming still comes down to having the right tools, good seed and feed, and advice you can trust. That’s why we focus on keeping supplies affordable and making sure you’ve got what you need to get the best yields out of your fields. And when questions come up about pests, crops, or what works best in our Minnesota soils, we’re here to share what we know.
For us, it’s not just about running a store, it’s about standing alongside local farm families and helping them succeed for generations.
We stock all the winter essentials we’ve talked about today—RV antifreeze for your equipment, quality winter gear for the whole family, heated pet bowls, and rodent control products that actually work. Our team knows these products inside and out and can help you choose what’s right for your specific situation.
Please contact us with any questions you have.
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