" If you build it, he will come."
Home, garden, and garage projects, share what you're working on.

I just a day or so building an auto opening gable vent for our HFGH, with the solar blanket on for the winter we needed to vent excess heat. I'll probably put together an article in more detail.

Very cool, Ric! What does HFGH stand for? Something something greenhouse!

What I really need is a bonsai bench, but without any tools, talent, time, experience, or materials, it's just a dream for now.

aw, ssg, you can always have the bench regardless of the other things. Live the dream!
Ok seriously. A table or bench outside for potting is so great. I love just brushing the spilled potting mix onto the ground.
I'll have to post my pics off the phone- new garage for Mark and blank slate for me around it.

Harbor Freight Greenhouse. We have a whole cult.

Sally, that's why I included garage in the opening comments.

Thanks for starting this thread Ric! Yesterday when I wanted to post about the Selma mansion restoration project, I wasn't seeing the home project thread - then realized the one I was thinking about for our group had been on DG and the topic likely hadn't come up yet here on ATP. I was thinking about creating a thread here for this topic near and dear to my heart, but I didn't take the time and just ended up putting it on the Neck of the Woods thread. So to you!

As always, lots of unfinished projects just waiting for attention at my place. Really hoping to get the back patio done this year. It has been on the to do list since we built the house in 1991 LOL. I think it is the last of the bigger type projects left to do, but I don't seem to have any problems coming up with more LOL.

Sally, really looking forward to the garage photos and what you end up doing with that blank slate!

SSG, ditto what Sally said - give that potting bench the ol' college try

Ric so thoughtfully reminded me to pay a pic of garage, not sure if I had



But most fun for me is the outside, presenting an excuse for more gardening. There is an area about 20 by 20 behind it. Could be mossy grass, planting along the wall, or do I put something in the middle of that also. and have paths around? Will be shaded a lot I think, but need to study more.

I love it! How much of this did Mark build? I was so surprised when he told me that he had taken down the huge mature tree in your yard by himself. Really impressive!

And DH wants to call the handyman to change one outdoor lightbulb. I'm not handy, either, so we're not a diy family.

But I'm seriously considering cobbling together that bonsai bench. I don't think it'll take much carpentry at all, and it's so much better to have the little trees elevated.

We contracted everything except Mark will run the electric line himself. And we have to fix up the lawn now, and get gravel in front of the garage. (We wouldn't have stomached the bill if a new driveway was included! so the driveway will come later. Isn't that the way with 50 yr old houses- fix one thing, and the next looks older and crappie r till it's done...etc...

My landlord Steve has decided that my big room, which used to be a porch, need better support underneath it instead od the pressure treated supports it has now. He has been cleaning out under the room, build a bench type storage area for my pots and gardening stuff under there. All the noid bearded iris were dug up and given away this morning so after all is done I will have another bed to make.

Too bad you had to give away your irises, but it sounds like you have a great landlord!

The irises were his and were in the way. He lets me do just about anything I want in the yards. He'll get out his rototiller and use it where I want a new bed and get as much mulch as I need. His front yard has gone from nothing but 12 inch high weeds (because he didn't mow) to a mess of a garden with no lawn. This year I am concentrating on the front by the mailbox along the road.

WOW!

Looks awesome, Robin, the neighbors must love having you there! How awesome is that, an enabling landlord!

He's very lucky to have you!! Looks great!

Great job RB, I think I remember some before pics or in progress.

Here's my finished porch from late last year. Took 5 months of do it yourself labor to get this completed. Many, many challenges but it was well worth it. I will get an updated picture to show how we have augmented this with flowers and such.

Craig, that is really nice! I like the dual stairs and that solid skirt underneath - is that stone? Had to laugh at wondering what the colored thingies were outlining the sidewalk before opening up the thumbnail LOL.

That looks great Craig.

That is one fabulous, grand porch. Well done!