Sunday, September 5, 2010

A shed of my own

As I write this beside the open window I am giving thanks for the cool air.  It was a good weekend for getting started on my long list of fall projects, even though the gnats and mosquitos were out in force.  My husband put on his gloves and began pulling the ivy and vinca that we've let get incredibly out of hand.  In the process of helping him with it this afternoon I started thinking about the well house in the corner under the big pine.
Because it's surrounded by almost knee deep ivy and vines, I've always thought of this shed as a snake pit or a home for raccoons - and I've not even opened the door in five years or more.  But today I started thinking that it has the potential to be again what it once was -  a great garden shed.  (Unfortunately I never saw it in its days as a garden shed - but the story goes that the best gardener in town owned our property before the house was built.)  So I decided to take a peak inside.  (Sorry - no inside picture for this post.)  It's much roomier than I remembered - the well tank doesn't take up the entire space after all.  There are some shelves and some pegs.   There's a window.  And there were no raccoons or snakes that I could see.  
I think I could move my potting bench to the end or to the side after the ivy is cleared away.  Repairs and lots of cleaning, but how nice to have my own gardening shed!  And we may even get the well working again.
 
It has history and character - I do love that.  I'll keep you posted!

I can't resist signing off with a butterfly picture.  The butterflies are all over the lantana these days, especially in the late afternoon.

13 comments:

Sherri B. said...

Please do keep us updated on your new project..how fun! I would so love to have a well, such a safe feeling knowing you have your own water.
Have a great Labor Day.

Floridagirl said...

Beautiful tiger swallowtail! How wonderful it would be to have a garden shed! I can see a lot of potential for that space. Sounds like you have a lot of fun ahead of you! That ivy can really be a nightmare, can't it?

Karen said...

Oh, that is a wonderful building! I hope you can make it into your own garden cottage...how neat that would be. And the pine tree looks HUGE, how old is the shed? I hope you let us know what happens next!

Anonymous said...

good looking shed Ginny and definately worth working on...keep us informed!

Lona said...

I love old sheds and barns with the weathered boards. I see it has great potential for a potting shed.Dig right in Ginny LOL! Wasn't the weekend weather beautiful?

Anonymous said...

Dear Ginny, What a wonderfully romantic gardener's bothy tucked away under the pine tree. How I should love to own something similar. You MUST bring it back into commission whilst keeping that beautiful unrestored look and feel to it.

Both Vinca and ivy can so easily run away from one and require ruthless treatment and an eternal vigil. Such is life!


Thank you so much for leaving a comment on my latest posting, to which I have replied, and for becoming a 'Follower'.

Chloe m said...

A structure to be envied! I hope it gives you many hours of joy. I ended up using my greenhouse as a shed.

Carol said...

Ginny, How enchanting! I love the photos as your shed is now... I look forward to seeing how it will develop with the clearing of vines and such. That looks to be a beautiful Pine! Your Tiger Swallowtail is gorgeous lit up that way. Thank you so for you lovely touching comment on my new post. ;>)

thyme2garden said...

Thank you for visiting my blog today! And wow I'm glad I came back to see yours, because this garden shed looks like it has so much potential! It would be so lovely to fix it up and use it as a functional garden shed.

Anonymous said...

You shed is worth the work. I think it is a great structure with loads of character. There is so much you can do with it, probably inside and definitely out. I see it with loads of flowers all around. Romantic with all the old wood.

Amy said...

What a great place with lots of character. I bet you will love having the space for all your gardening needs. That butterfly photo is very pretty with the sun shining through the wings.

Meems said...

Oh, Ginny,
It's perfect! And so full of character with history to allow your mind to wander of what has taken place in its previous life. Funny how our creativity kicks in when we garden. Those tall pines are a wonderful setting for your new space. Do let us know how it evolves. A potting shed is one of the missing pieces in my garden... but I have dreams.
Meems

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

What a neat shed and it has so much potential. I can hardly wait to see how it turns out after a good bit of TLC.

Thanks for picking my post about our anniversary.

FlowerLady