by Jenny Barnett

Autumn is when the work gets real.
The days shorten, the air shifts, and everything around you, from the soil to the roofline, asks the same question:

Are you ready?

This is the season for sharpening blades, stacking wood, sealing drafts, and checking what held up and what needs replacing.
Because once the frost sets in, there’s no faking preparedness.

Whether you’re on a half-acre homestead or in a rental with a backyard woodpile, here’s your toolkit for fall readiness, the kind that keeps you warm, safe, and steady when the weather turns.

Tools That Earn Their Place

Here’s what we rely on every year, without fail:

1. A Good Axe or Hatchet

Whether you’re splitting kindling or clearing limbs, a sharp blade and solid hickory handle are non-negotiable. Keep it honed. Keep it dry. Store it where you can grab it fast.

2. Fireplace Tools That Work, Not Just Look Pretty

If you heat with wood or just love a hearth, your tools matter.

We use forged fireplace tools from Old West Iron — durable, handmade, and heavy enough to feel like they mean it.

Look for:

• A long-handled poker
• A well-balanced ash shovel
• Tongs that grip, not slip
• A sturdy stand that doesn’t tip when nudged

3. Repair & Maintenance Essentials

• Flashlights or headlamps with fresh batteries
• A multi-tool or screwdriver set
• Duct tape, wire, leather gloves, paracord
• Storm window latches and door seals

You never need these things until you really need them, so don’t wait until the wind starts howling.

4. Cast Iron Cookware & Simmer-Ready Gear

Cast iron does triple duty this time of year:

• Cooking hearty meals
• Adding warmth to the kitchen
• Serving as a backup when the power’s out

Keep your favorite Dutch oven, kettle, or skillet seasoned and close at hand.

Tie It All Together with Hardware That Lasts

Tools are only as good as the systems that hold them.

• Wall hooks for axes, brooms, jackets, and lanterns
• Iron brackets to shore up shelves or hang wood bins
• Latches and hinges that can handle cold snaps and shifting wood

Prep Your Property Before the First Freeze

Get ahead of winter before it sets in for good:

• Drain hoses and shut off outdoor spigots
• Clean gutters and downspouts
• Store or cover firewood
• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Check seals around doors and windows
• Oil locks, hinges, and tools to prevent seizing
• Restock pantry and medicine cabinet for storm days

You’ll breathe easier when the first cold front rolls in and you’re already two steps ahead.

A Ready Home is a Resilient One

There’s a kind of quiet pride in being prepared.
Not fearful. Not frenzied. Just ready, the way our grandparents were, with tools sharpened, pantry full, and fire laid before the sun goes down.

Stay sharp. Stay grounded. And let the season come.

— Jenny