How did Northern European farmers in the 17th and 18th centuries spend their winters?

by CowboyLaw

In those countries where no meaningful farming could be done during winter, what did farmers do after the harvest had been put up? I typically hear people talk about "mending tools," but frankly it seems like a few weeks would be sufficient to do all the maintenance that could be done.

Searocksandtrees

hi! you're asking about a particular time period, but you may find these posts of incidental interest as they may help paint a picture of wintertime life

What did commoners in agrarian societies do during the winter?
What did people in Scandinavia and other cold climates do during the winter months before modern technologies were available?
What was the average number of holidays per year during the Middle Ages? / What did a peasant do during the winter?
What did medieval rural peasants do all winter in northern Europe?
How have people in far northern countries coped with lack of exercise in harsh winters?
Winter in ancient times
How much did a medieval European peasant work?
What did peasants do during the winter?

brunovonpuppendorf

You still had to feed your animals, clean the stalls, and sell what you got from the harvest. As you can see there is a lot of work to be done even during the winter months. Hunting and building things such as tools were also some activities that were often done to pass the time.