A Nor’easter blew in, and it brought me a shed. π
We have been talking about getting a small garden shed for a couple of years, and found this 8′ x 8′ one made by a young man in Casco, Maine. It was pretty amazing that we got the call that it was ready for delivery weeks early, and that it arrived in the dark the evening before the Nor’easter arrived.
Those of you who enjoy DIY would have pulled up a chair to watch this young man with only a head lamp for light get that shed off a trailer, use two jacks, and several round pipes and posts, to roll it around and get it situated. It was 37Β° degrees, but we watched the entire show in pure amazement.
As we age, keeping tools close at hand becomes important so we can continue gardening. I go get a shovel, ten minutes later I realize I also need a rake, and so it goes. This way, I will have my tools closer to my work areas.
The shed has been treated to turn gray over the next year or so which will match our barn, and it’s definitely not going to be a beautifully decorated ‘she’ shed like Nancy’s over at Two Trails One Road. This one is a ‘we’ and a ‘working’ shed. My husband enjoys working with me on the fruits and veggies, and I take care of the flowers.
I installed a 1/2″ rubber interlocking floor system yesterday, and from that experience I can say that the shed is square and well built. It was also nice to pay a hard working young man versus a large box store. This week we’ll have some fun putting up peg board and magnets to hold the tools that are currently in our garage.
My seedlings are doing well. The photo on the left is three of my four trays of tomatoes. They are pretty tall considering we’ve got several weeks left before they are hardened off. The Mexican Sunflowers, Japanese cucumbers, and Zinnias are looking good too.
The grapes, asparagus, sweet peas, and cosmos are in good form while the Crocosmia Lucifer, Dahlia, and Cannas are potted up to give them a head start.
Snow may have fallen a few days ago and is again in the forecast for later this week, but gardening season is here. This afternoon, I’m headed off to join some other Master Gardeners to dig, divide, and pot up plants for our 20th plant sale next month. Last week a friend and I cleaned up a garden at our local nursing home, and in a couple of weeks we will head over to join a team to spring clean the four small 1700’s kitchen gardens.
Hands in the dirt – it’s a good thing!
Hope you have spring weather with no ‘white stuff’ in the forecast. Enjoy a good week.
Beautiful, beautiful! Except for the white stuff, of course. All your seedlings are beginning to look like oak trees, ready to grow out in the world, and that shed is a masterpiece — kudos to that builder! Congratulations on your dirty hands — and with gardening friends!
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It’s a cute little shed isn’t it? It makes me smile just to look out the window at it. π I’ve grown a lot of plants from seeds over the years, but this year’s batch is really something. I certainly got my hands dirty today digging and potting – it was a two shower day. π
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That young man does beautiful work! I really like that shed. I understand the appeal of having tools close at hand. Even on a small lot, we like being able to get the tools you need with less walking.
Enjoy arranging your tools, Judy π
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I thought of you when he was offloading and leveling it. I knew you would find it interesting how he did it. I also thought of you when I was cutting the flooring, and realized it was perfectly square. We were happy to write the check. I bought some pegboard today. π
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Having it arrive and be set level and square before you step inside is a wonderful indication of quality. He must take great pride in his work.
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I never knew how wonderful it was to have a garden shed until I got one! You are going to love yours. Our snow melted quickly and it’s full speed ahead on gardening here! Have fun in yours.
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With all your outdoor projects, I can only imagine how valuable your shed is to both of you. That’s right – full speed ahead with gardening.
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Great looking shed! Your weather is stranger than ours. This is our first year in our new house so I’m still figuring things out. Yesterday there was a deer eating at the bird feeders. Definitely will be a challenge!
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Now that’s something I’ve never seen – a deer at a bird feeder. In our part of the country, they recommend bringing in bird feeders because of the black bears. You’re definitely going to have some stories to tell in your new neighborhood.
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I love your shed! It’s not only functional, it’s beautiful. You’ll be spending even more time gardening this year….if that’s even possible! Lol. Congratulations to the young craftsman. Good to know there are still people around who take great pride in their work.
Your plants are doing fantastic. I think they can’t wait to get planted outside to be closer to that garden shed!
No snow here, but cold again (furnace still on), and windy. I picked up the Creeping Phlox I wanted, but can’t put it out yet. Below 30 every night and stays there until midday. Sigh….
I can see you turning this area into a fairy garden! π€
Ginger
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Ooh, you gave me an idea. π Creeping phlox is a real plus in the spring. We have a fair amount of white in one bed, and it’s like a good friend who comes every year for a visit.
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The shed is beautiful and I’m not jealous of you having one. Nope, not at all envious of it. We had one at a house decades ago and it was so nice, useful, practical. Enjoy yours.
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Cute and practical, and I’m hoping to smile every time I open the door.
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Lovely shed! Very glad to hear that you all had a great time outside even in the cold weather. Enjoy the rest of the spring season and the week ahead.
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Thanks for stopping by, and I wish you a wonderful spring season as well.
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I love your new shed. That will make it a lot more convenient for you. Your vegetables are looking great. We got no snow the other day.
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Now, that’s funny – we got the snow, and you didn’t. π
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Well, βwhite stuffβ expected here tomorrow after several weeks of unseasonably beautiful sun and warmth. I give up!
I am admiring your sweet little shed. Perfectly made, and so satisfying to βshop local!β
Iβd be tempted to hang a cute little pair of curtains inside, even though they would spoil the simple, rustic lines. And then Iβd plop a metal weather vane on the roof. And then Iβd wonder why I didnβt just leave it alone! Iβm glad you have more sense!
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Too funny because I thought about the curtains and then thought about how dirty they’d get, and I definitely thought about the weather vane but wondered if I’d make the roof leak. I also thought of a sign, but decided it is cute the way it is. I just watched the local weather, and they’re still talking one or two chances of the white stuff. All I can think is ‘go the heck away’ and let us fill our window boxes and gardens with bright flowers.
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LOL – I so appreciate the idea of tools handy. I think I get all my steps just going back and forth all day.
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I like the steps too, but I spend a lot of time walking back and forth, and then of course there are those times that I forget what the heck I went looking for. π
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I have shed envy! Ours is falling apart, and we desperately need a new one. Someday… Those seedlings look fantastic. Welcome, welcome, sweet Spring.
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It is cute and well built. GEM Construction LLC, 453 Roosevelt Trail, Casco, ME, gemconstructionmaine@gmail.com. If we were closer I’d sure be glad to share seedlings. I have way too many so it’s a good thing the plant sale is next month.
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Garden sheds are so much fun. I’ve loved mine. You are smart to include peg board. I lined my 20′ X 20′ shed all the way around with peg board and it is really functional. Best part of the shed.
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I’m not sure a 20’x20′ building can still be called a shed. π I can only imagine how organized you could get with your gardening with that amount of space. Impressive. Hope your gardens are doing well and the pecan trees are still producing.
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Nice, new shed, Judy. It complements the rest of the garden well. It’s great that you ‘bought local’ giving your money to local talent. π
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We were pretty happy that we not only found the shed we wanted but that we could buy local which is always a good feeling.
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Judy, that’s a nice-looking shed, and I love the first picture with the snowflakes. Good for you for supporting a local entrepreneur. I’m sure the quality is much better than you would have gotten at the big box store. Enjoy.
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I think you’re right about the quality being better, and it was nice to support a local small business.
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Well, well, well! Thank you for the shout out!
I do love your shed! It will be perfect when you are gardening. And it looks well built.
Your seedlings are coming along beautifully… now we just need no more NorβEasters, right?
Happy Monday my friend!
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You have the best ‘she shed’ out there so there was no way I could talk about sheds and not mention it. π Yes – Nor’Easters need to go into hibernation.
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I would love to have a great shed like that … even if I had to share it π
We’ve had such a beautiful spring and even I have been in a gardening mode – as crazy as that sounds. I’m thrilled that plants I put in last year are coming back, and all the bulbs I planted last fall are getting ready to flower. Who says I have a brown thumb? π
I’m hoping we don’t get the weather that’s being forecasted mid-week. I do not want to see snow again for a long while.
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I think that brown thumb is turning green. π There is nothing like spring bulbs to make you smile after a long winter. Yes, snow can get the heck out of our forecast. Have you been able to get a shot yet?
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I’m smiling – in spite of a forecast for snow tonight and tomorrow – because I’m seeing more tulips opening this morning. They are such hardy little plants π and a well splash of colour!
Happily, I was able to get the first vaccine shot almost 2 weeks ago. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a bit of relief, because it is a complete shit-storm here. I did a rough calculation, and in the past 148 days (ie since the last week of November), we’ve been in lockdown under a stay-at-home order for 125 of those days. Ontario has done an abysmal job of controlling the spread of the virus and I’m afraid this has become our new ‘norm’ π
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I love your shed! I’m sure you will love having it. I’m constantly going in and out of the garage to get the tools I need. Of course, then I have to take them all back! Unfortunately, our yard is too small for a shed.
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I have to keep our garage door down because of squirrels and chipmunks so I’m constantly going around to the side door, in and out, getting one thing at a time. That doesn’t count the trips I make when I forget what the heck I was going after. π
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What a great thing for the wind to bring, Judy! Here we just get dust and the fallen bougainvillea leaves fly everywhere. π¦ That shed is not only useful but attractive. Although I’ve already mentioned my gardening trials here, I’m proud to say that my Spanish lavender plant is doing well and my six red romaine lettuce plants in the long planter are doing well also. Small victories. π
Happy Monday!
janet
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Small victories are good especially when they result in fresh salad. You go, girl!
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Small is the operative word but so tasty and with a few drops of amazing balsamic vinegar on top it reaches new heights of deliciousness. π
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Your new shed is very cute. And I do like the idea of spending your money with a young man who’s working hard to build a business instead of a huge conglomerate. It sounds like you definitely got value for money too.
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We were very happy to get a well built shed while helping a young man keep his business going in our neighboring state. Some times it is the small things in life that bring a big smile.
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You will love your new shed, it looks great. I’m with you about having to keep the garden tools you need close by, I spent my life going back to get what I want. (our shed is full of things like a lawn mower and a golf buggy etc.)
Your seedlings are doing very well, and you do so much for the community, Judy, really wonderful to do things like cleaning up a nursing home garden..my mother was in a nursing home for a very short while, and she absolutely loved the pansies right outside her room.
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Thank you for mentioning your Mom because when I’m working there, I’m always wondering if the plants bring a smile. I am grateful to be able to do that little bit to maybe improve their day.
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I’m sure the flowers do bring on a smile!
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You found a craftsman. I expect the shed will be a wonderful addition to your garden.
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As much as I love having a garage, I love this little shed. π
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Getting our own snow squall this morning. Lilacs in full bloom. Gotta love winter that won’t give up and good for you in supporting small business!!
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We’ve been following Kansas weather through family, and you guys have had your ups and downs as much as we have. Lilacs – now there is a plant that brings a smile and a delicious smell. Enjoy.
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Looks like a fine tool shed from a local craftsman. Your tomatoes are far ahead of mine!
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These tomatoes are doing better than any previous year. I have to make good notes for next year. I’ve never had any to take to our plant sale, but these guys will be good to go.
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I would have loved to been able to watch him put the shed together with that headlamp light. It must have been really interesting to watch. Stay warm! – Marty
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Yes, you would have. One slender mid 30’s guy, two jacks, pipes and fence posts and he rolled it off, left, right, and forward. I wouldn’t have believed it was possible if I hadn’t seen it. I think some might refer to both of us as nerds, but I can accept that. π
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How very … “New England”! Love sheds and this will bring you much delight. We live in the Boston area and haven’t gotten out in months, of course. Last Friday we began a journey to visit my brother in MD – not expecting to drive in 1.5 hours of snow on our way down! Not fun. Love the spring sun now.
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Hope you had a good family visit. If I’m going to be at home ‘most’ of the time, at least I have a shed to keep my gardening tools handy. π That snow we’ve had this past week can hit the road as far as I’m concerned. π
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It looks so cute!
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I love it, and it is so well built. I don’t normally smile when I hand over a check, but I did this time. π
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Love the little garden. A great idea to start a shrubbery and herb garden in a shed.
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Thank you.
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