Amazing how putting plants in any space suddenly gives the area an instant breath of life. You put life, you get life back. That's how it felt when we moved plants in to our newly built shed and suddenly it's become a very nice place to hang out in.
Our Shed O'Fun is almost finished with just the final connections for the electrics still needs doing as well as some painting on the door and exterior wood. Both can wait for awhile when weather is much more favourable. It is however finished enough that we have put in some fish over a week ago (to also help kick start the filtration) as well as moved in some plants last weekend.
Before I proceed further a quick recap on how we got there starting from where we left off from our last update:
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| Hardwood decking left over from our koi project was used to edge the quarantine pond |
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| Insulation and lining applied on the sides as well as old carpet and blankets on the base |
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| Twinkles had to inspect of course! |
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| Pond liner in, it was time to fill up with water! |
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| New flooring applied over the decking to keep the heat in much better |
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| With the pond filled it was time to disinfect the entire system with Potassium permanganate |
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| Little bistro set in as well, which I'm thinking of painting orange later in the year |
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| Filtration all up and running |
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| Internal woodwork painted |
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| Shelving up, ready for pond supplies and plants |
First were a few small koi which will also start the maturation of the filter:
Then the plants:
With both fish and plants in the space now feels full of life, both literally and figuratively, and is a very nice place to spend time in. We usually hang out here for an hour or so after work, admiring the plants and looking at the fish with the radio on.
We're still waiting for the arrival of the heating tubes that will go here but for now we're using a greenhouse heater to give some supplemental heat. Heat retention is very good and is comfy inside even when the fan heater only goes on every so often.
More plants will be moving in over the next few days and will feature them on a separate post soon!
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
I'm always amazed by how nicely you finish your projects. Seriously, I've been in people's houses that looked less finished. Really impressive.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great place for plants. It looks like the translucent panels let it a ton of light.
That's lovely to hear Gerhard, many thanks! :) the polycarb panels let in so much light, even the succulents in the middle shelf gets lots of light from different sides.
DeleteLove those colorful drip trays! Twinkles is such a cutie!
ReplyDeleteSplashes of colour are such fun aren't they Alison? :) Twinkles loves the space too!
DeleteWhat a great spot to hang out! I've recently been obsessed with building some kind of shed on-site to putter about in. I can't really justify a greenhouse but a shed seems reasonable for storage and respite when it gets too hot out. Now I just have to convince my "local builder" of the value of this plan...
ReplyDeleteShed sounds like a great idea Kris, a space to putter and stow away things too. Perhaps no translucent panels though if you want respite from the summer heat. Go for it :)
DeleteAre those your recent online purchases or have you been buying even more plants knowing you'd have this space to fill?
ReplyDeleteThey were our recent plant purchases Loree from last year. Have to say there was that element too of having more space to fill hence the incentive to indulge :))
DeleteHello Mark and Gaz,
ReplyDeleteWell, your Shed O' Fun looks to be living up to its name! A home from home already. It is a wonder you can be prised from there once you have settled in.
It all seems very high tech to us with every detail considered for the fish and the plants. How you cosset them all! No wonder everything thrives so well under your care. Wishing you both many happy times in the shed!
Thank you Jane and Lance :) we hope so as it's already a nice cozy place to hang out in even if the weather is adverse outside. The set up isn't that complicated although experience with the main koi pond did help
DeleteI agree with Gerhard, really nice details on this "shed"! You may have said in a previous post, but what are the dimensions of the floorspace here? (not including the pond)
ReplyDeleteThanks Alan! With regards to the dimension I'll get back to you on that one (will have to ask Gaz) :)
DeleteWell done looks very cozy! It is such a multi-functional space! I love the plastic bowls you have re-purposed as saucers for the pots.
ReplyDeleteGlad you like those bowls Lindsey! Inexpensive and looks fun :)
DeleteWhat a fabulous space!! And yes, orange, perfect...
ReplyDeleteThanks Janet! And I have thing for orange at the moment :)
DeleteYou two are project guru's! And I love to see your progress. Orange would be a great color for the bistro set. I also enjoy how much color you add to your projects because I am all about color. Those cute plastic trays in variety of colors are very cool.
ReplyDeleteThanks Candice! It's still a rather functional space but it's nice to add some splashes of colour in it, makes the place cheerful :) glad to know you're into bright colours too!
DeleteYou described the place so well that I could imagine how nice it must be to be there after work :)
ReplyDeleteIt is Lisa, thank you :)
DeleteLooks great! Fish are mesmerising to watch, aren't they? I love your idea of using those plastic bowls (I think that's what they are?) as saucers. Adds a nice touch of colour :)
ReplyDeleteThey are Amy, could easily just watch them for hours :) yes they are plastic bowls, children's bowls sold in packs and much cheaper too than intended pot saucers
DeleteYou always do such a beautiful job of everything! This does look like a cozy place to hang out. You've created a lot of interesting places to hang out in your garden and home! I am always impressed and I hope you find great joy in what you've created.
ReplyDeleteThank you Peter :) It's a joy to hang out in it!
DeleteOrange bistro set to match the fish - stylish! I was just saying how much I'm inspired by Ikea on another blog when here's a good case in point - their bowls make perfect little pot trays. Mine jolly up my kitchen herbs and I love the splash of colour they give to your shed. Sounds a lovely place to relax of an evening.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing what you can do with some of the things you can buy there Caro, not to mention good prices too! :)
DeleteI'll echo the compliments regarding your amazing ability to see a project through including the finishing details. Twinkles obviously appreciates all the new spaces you make to investigate!
ReplyDeleteThanks Denise! Twinkles is delightful like that, inquisitive with every new space discovered. Come to think of it all cats are :)
DeleteAnother project completed! You have much to be proud of, and I like your sentiment "You put life, you get life back." I think that is true of gardening and our existence in general.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Debs, just love the very essence of that line :)
DeleteAs Peter said, you do beautiful work. Orange for the bistro set, definitely.
ReplyDeleteNew Koi? Cool!
Thanks Gail! Can't wait to get painting!
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