VIDEO: How to Winterize Your Chicken Coop with Summer Rayne Oakes

On a snowy, wintry day, Summer Rayne Oakes of Flock Finger Lakes takes us inside her newly built chicken coop to share what she’s doing to get it ready for winter. From smart coop orientation and ventilation tips to insulation strategies and warm-water routines, Summer walks through the small details that help her birds stay comfortable in cold weather. She also shows how she uses Espoma Organic Sani-Care® Premium Hardwood Bedding to create a deep, cozy floor layer that’s easy to clean and helps keep the coop environment drier and more comfortable all season long.

8 Winter Coop Tips Summer Swears By

 

1) Start with the right coop orientation

If you’re building a coop from scratch (or choosing where to place one), Summer recommends thinking about prevailing winter winds first. In her location, cold winds typically come from the north, so she designed the coop with no open windows on the north side to help block drafts.

Takeaway: Positioning and window placement can make winter management easier before you even add insulation.

2) Use windows for ventilation, not warmth

It’s tempting to button everything up tight, but Summer reminds us that humidity control matters just as much as temperature. She aims to keep coop humidity under about 70%, since damp air in freezing weather can contribute to frostbite risk on combs and wattles.

Takeaway: In winter, crack windows strategically to keep air moving without creating harsh drafts.

3) Insulate to reduce temperature swings (but don’t heat the coop)

Summer insulated the coop walls and ceiling to help limit dramatic hot-to-cold shifts. The goal isn’t to create a tropical coop, it’s to keep conditions steadier.

She also notes an important point: heating the coop can backfire if birds step outside into much colder air, creating stress and condensation issues.

Takeaway: Insulation can help stabilize the space; birds are built for winter, but they do best in a dry, well-ventilated environment.

4) Build a warmer, softer floor with deep bedding

Because concrete floors get cold fast, Summer builds up a generous layer of bedding. She uses Espoma Organic Sani-Care and piles it 6–10 inches deep so the birds have a warmer, softer place to settle in.

Why Sani-Care?

• Easy to clean: makes daily and weekly maintenance simpler

• Comfort-focused: helps create a more cushioned, cozy floor layer

• Supports a drier coop: deep, fresh bedding helps manage moisture so the coop feels more comfortable

5) Add extra “snuggle zones” with raised beds

Summer repurposed pet beds as raised sleeping areas and added bedding on top, giving chickens and ducks the option to get up off the cold floor. Some birds choose corners, others prefer the beds. The point is: let them decide.

Takeaway: Variety in roosting/sleeping spots helps the flock settle where they’re most comfortable.

6) Use safe lighting and avoid risky heat sources

Summer uses a standard LED light and avoids heat lamps, noting that heat lamps can be a cause of coop fires. If she ever wants a small bump in warmth, she considers a safer alternative that gently raises the temperature without intense heat.

Takeaway: Prioritize fire safety in winter setups. Warmth is never worth the risk.

7) Block wind in the run with panels (without sealing it airtight)

To cut wind where birds spend their time, Summer adds poly panels to the run. She intentionally leaves small gaps so there’s still some airflow.

Takeaway: Wind protection + ventilation is the balance. You’re aiming for calm air, not stale air.

8) Keep water available and flowing

Summer shares her setup for keeping water accessible in freezing weather, including insulated lines and a system designed to reduce freezing. She also brings warm water as a treat, especially on extra-cold days.

Takeaway: Winter hydration takes planning, but it’s one of the biggest quality-of-life upgrades you can make for your flock.

Learn more about other Espoma Organic Products at Espoma.com

Learn more about Flock Finger Lakes here:

Website: flockfingerlakes.com

Instagram – @flockfingerlakes

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X – @flockny

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The Other Project We’re Starting…

Our big renovation project isn’t anywhere close to done (it just started this week, and Sherry’s sharing peeks over on Instagram in stories) but I’ve already embarked on another project that I’ve wanted to tackle for years: digitizing all of our old photos! It’s arguably less exciting than our renovation, but I’m genuinely eager to tackle this long-overdue project. And since we’re not the only ones who suffer from photo clutter, I plan to document my process for anyone else who is also interested in digitizing their photos. So I’ll be testing out a few digitization methods, and sharing tips along the way.

Continue reading The Other Project We’re Starting… at Young House Love.

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VIDEO: Planting Spring Bulbs in Containers 🪴🌷 with Summer Rayne Oakes

When the garden beds are resting, container gardening keeps the joy of planting alive. In a recent video on her Flock Finger Lakes channel, Summer Rayne Oakes shows how she extends the season by layering spring-flowering bulbs in containers, tucked inside her chicken and duck run. Using Espoma Organic Potting Mix and Espoma Organic Perlite, Summer creates a well-draining, root-friendly environment that helps bulbs overwinter successfully and burst into bloom come spring.

 

Summer’s Top 3 Tips for Planting Bulbs in Containers

1. Start with a High-Quality, Well-Draining Soil Mix

Healthy bulbs begin with the right foundation. Summer uses Espoma Organic Potting Mix as her base because it’s lightweight, rich in organic matter, and formulated specifically for container gardening. It holds just the right amount of moisture while still allowing excess water to drain away—critical for preventing bulb rot during winter storage.

To further improve drainage, she blends in Espoma Organic Perlite, which keeps the soil loose and airy. This extra oxygen around the bulbs encourages strong root development and helps containers handle fluctuating winter and spring conditions.

2. Layer Bulbs

One of Summer’s favorite techniques is layering bulbs by size and bloom time. Larger, later-blooming bulbs like tulips and daffodils go deeper in the pot, while smaller, early bloomers like snowdrops are placed closer to the surface. This creates a succession of blooms from early to late spring—all in one container.

Planting bulbs a bit closer together in containers also creates a fuller, more impactful display, making pots look lush when they come into flower.

3. Protect Containers While Letting Them Chill

Bulbs need a cold period to bloom, and Summer’s chicken and duck run doubles as a cold greenhouse thanks to added panels. Containers stay protected from harsh weather while still experiencing natural temperature changes. A light soil topper can also help discourage curious critters from digging, especially when overwintering bulbs in shared garden spaces.

Let’s Get Growing

Layering bulbs in containers is a simple, rewarding way to extend the gardening season and enjoy months of spring color. With Espoma Organic Potting Mix and Espoma Organic Perlite, you’re giving bulbs the well-draining, nutrient-rich environment they need to thrive—naturally.

*****

Learn more about Flock Finger Lakes here:

Website: flockfingerlakes.com

Instagram – @flockfingerlakes

YouTube –Flock Finger Lakes

X – @flockny

Facebook –Flock Finger Lakes

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VIDEO: Planting the Last Bulbs of the Season with Garden Answer

As the season winds down, Laura from Garden Answer takes on her final bulb planting of the year, sharing practical planting and bulb-care tips along the way. In this project, she plants more than 300 Thalia daffodils alongside a mix of spring bloomers, including Persian Pearl, Snowdrops, and Lilac Wonder—showing how late-season planting can still deliver impressive results.

Laura walks us through her process, emphasizing the importance of proper bulb depth, spacing, and soil preparation. These foundational steps help bulbs establish strong roots before winter, setting the stage for healthy growth and vibrant blooms in spring.

To support early root development, Laura incorporates Espoma Organic Bulb-tone at the time of planting. This organic, slow-release fertilizer is specially formulated for bulbs and helps:

• Encourage strong root growth before dormancy
• Support bigger, more vibrant spring blooms
• Feed gradually over time for long-term plant health
• Reduce the risk of burning young roots compared to quick-release fertilizers

By combining proven planting techniques with the right nutrition, this end-of-season bulb planting shows how a little extra care now can make a big difference when spring arrives.

Learn more about Garden Answer: 

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How to Care for Ferns 🌿 | Growing Joy with Maria

Many plant lovers have killed Boston ferns and sworn off ferns as houseplants, but little do they know that the secret is adding the right ferns to your collection and not the wrong ones.

This blog is inspired by Episode 243 of Growing Joy with Plants Podcast, where Maria talks about fern care, varieties that grow indoors, and simple ways to keep them looking their best.

Why Ferns Are Worth Another Try

Ferns have been around for millions of years, and they date back to prehistoric times. For a plant to survive decade after decade, it needs to be resilient, so it has adapted to changing environments and climates.

In fact, there’s a funny meme where the top picture is a fern growing out of a crack in a rock on the sidewalk, completely neglected, and is thriving, and the bottom photo is a fern indoors, in a pot, completely brown and shriveled. 

How to Care for Your Ferns

Best Light for Ferns: A great thing about ferns is that they’re a low-light-tolerant plant. They grow on the floor and in the shade. This makes ferns the perfect houseplant because we only have so much valuable real estate in our window sills, and most of our homes tend to be low-light.

How to Water Ferns: Your ferns do not want to dry out. Evenly moist soil is what is going to make ferns happy and avoid those crispy brown edges. Use glazed ceramic, plastic pots, or self-watering planters to ensure evenly moist soil. To extend your soil moisture by a few days, add a layer of sphagnum moss on top of the soil to slow down evaporation.

Choosing the Right Potting Mix for Ferns:
Soil plays a major role in fern success. Ferns need a potting mix that holds moisture while still allowing excess water to drain away. Starting with a high-quality mix like Espoma Organic Potting Mix helps maintain evenly moist soil and supports healthy root systems. Pairing the right soil with containers that have drainage holes makes watering more consistent and stress-free.

When planting or repotting ferns, mixing in Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus into the soil can help roots establish more quickly and reduce transplant stress, giving ferns a strong start in their new container.

Ferns need humidity: Any of the ferns that have super delicate, thin fronds (maidenhair ferns, heart leaf ferns, and some Boston ferns) are going to need high humidity (60% to 80%). ​​Put them in a terrarium or under a glass cloche, or keep them near a humidifier.

How to fertilize ferns: Ferns don’t need a ton of fertilizer, which makes Espoma Organic Indoor! Liquid Fertilizer the perfect liquid plant food for it. It’s super gentle and should be used when you see new growth on your plants.

Don’t be afraid to prune ferns: Ferns are like a pet that needs to be groomed occasionally. No matter how humid your home is, you’ll have fronds that turn brown, and you should feel free to remove them. 

Which Ferns Are Difficult to Grow?

Maidenhair ferns and Heart Leaf ferns are challenging to grow. They need so much humidity to grow and such evenly moist soil. They don’t leave a lot of room for error.

Which Ferns Are Best for Beginners?

Bird’s Nest Fern – The leaves are thicker, more succulent, more hearty. The leaves stick out horizontally and cover the soil, so it’s harder for the soil to dry out.

Rabbit’s Foot Fern – This is a super fun fern that has fuzzy rhizomes that grow on top of the soil that look like little rabbit’s feet.

Boston or Lemon Button Fern – This is one of the hardier ferns. It’s very resilient, so if it does get dried out and turns brown, just cut the entire top off, and it’ll just grow back.

Staghorn Fern – Because they’re “epiphytic” and grow on trees, they are a little bit more tolerant of drying out than other ferns. These are commonly mounted on wooden boards, but you can grow them in potting mix.

Troubleshooting Common Fern Problems

Browning on every frond – likely a humidity issue (or underwatering). 

Yellow leaves – usually a sign of overwatering. Make sure your pots have drainage holes, and the soil isn’t staying super wet.

Brown spots – could indicate low humidity or sensitivity to water minerals (use filtered water or distilled water). Fern spores also look like small brown spots, so they could be an indicator of a happy plant!

Balding (patchy, thinning appearance) – likely means the fern needs more light.

Are You Ready to Try Growing Ferns?

Moist soil and humidity are the name of the game. Keep ferns where you’ll see them every day. Use the right pots. Remember, these plants have survived for millions of years. They’re tougher than they look!

Recommended Espoma Organic Products for Fern Success

Choosing the right products can make fern care much easier. These Espoma Organic essentials support healthy roots, consistent moisture, and gentle feeding so your ferns can thrive indoors or out.

Espoma Organic Indoor! Liquid Fertilizer
A gentle liquid plant food ideal for houseplants like ferns. Use during active growth to provide nutrients without the risk of burning.

Espoma Organic Potting Mix
Designed to retain moisture while still draining well, this mix helps create the evenly moist soil conditions ferns need.

Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus
Best used when planting or repotting, this microbial-rich formula supports root development and helps reduce transplant stress.

Espoma Organic Holly-tone (for Outdoor Ferns)
For in-ground or outdoor ferns that prefer slightly acidic soil, Holly-tone provides slow-release nutrition and supports long-term soil health when used according to label directions.

*****

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30 Non-Material Gift Ideas

I recently read that Ina Garten likes to give “disappearing gifts.” By this, she means consumable gifts that don’t take up room in the recipient’s home (maybe just some room in their stomachs). She noted that material gifts often come with an unintentional burden on the recipient to find space to use, store, or display an item. The easiest way avoid that? Give someone something that isn’t a thing at all! So here are 30 ideas for gifts that won’t take up any space at all – from experiences and edible delights, to subscriptions or meaningful charitable donations.

Continue reading 30 Non-Material Gift Ideas at Young House Love.

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VIDEO: One Last Autumn Stroll 🍁🍂 with Summer Rayne Oakes

Fall always feels like the quickest season in the garden, and in her final autumn tour at Flock Finger Lakes, Summer Rayne Oakes invites us to slow down and savor what’s left before winter fully settles in. As she walks the property, you’ll see how the gardens she’s been nurturing with Espoma Organic Fertilizers and Potting Soils have grown into layered, living spaces that carry beauty even as the blooms fade and the days grow shorter.

A Farewell Walk Through the Pollinator & Herb Gardens

The tour begins on a crisp morning among the pollinator and herb gardens, where most of the leaves have already dropped, but the seed heads still stand tall. Summer lets them remain for the songbirds, creating a soft, textural landscape that feels both wild and intentional. From there, she moves to a front garden bed, gently tucking in Virginia bluebells beneath a freshly prepared layer of mulch and rich soil, imagining how their spring flowers will weave into the story of next year’s garden.

Soft Light on the Pond, Meadow, and Grasses

In the video, Summer moves down to the pond and meadow, where goldenrods, asters, sedges, and native grasses catch the low autumn light. The seed heads shimmer, the pond sits quietly in the background, and you get the sense that the garden is exhaling after a full season of growth. A visit to the compost pile reminds us that all of this beauty is supported by what’s happening beneath the surface: wood chips, sawdust, clippings, and plant debris slowly transforming into the soil that will feed future plantings.

The Meadow House gardens

At the Meadow House gardens, the mood shifts to one of hopeful beginnings. These beds are still young, yet already filled with perennials, bulbs, and containers that will be tucked away for protection as temperatures drop. You can almost imagine how full and lush it will all look when spring and summer return.

Reflecting on Five Seasons of Growth

Summer reflects on five years of tending this land and how much has changed in that time—tiny trees now casting shade, shrubs filling out, meadows finding their own rhythm. It’s a gentle, grateful goodbye to fall, and a quiet nod toward all that’s still to come.

*****

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