We are now thinking about some building plans we have. We are going to fence in part of the back yard to make a "courtyard " of sorts. It won't we a elegant as this one...
Or as charming as this one...
More on the scale of this.....I WISH !
The back of it will be just behind this flower bed which is just outside the screen porch
This is a crude drawing of the layout. We are first going to fence it off with a three foot wood board fence. Three foot of dog wire fence will go on the inside of board fence. There will be two gates, one on the back leading to Hubby's shop and one on the right leading to clothes lines.On the outside against the board fence I will plant banana trees, cannas , elephant ears and hardy hibiscus that come back each year. That will be on the right side and back, growing tall to provide the privacy feel of a courtyard. On the left side where the pond is, I'm planting running roses on the outside of fence. I plan to put flower beds on all three of the inside fences with all sorts of flowers. Between the back door and the already existent flower bed, I want to square off a gravel patio for a table and chairs!
We also plan to build a chicken coop/yard. This is a picture of Joni's @ "The Old Centennial Farmhouse" blog. It is 8x16. I only want 6 laying hens, so 8x16 should be adequate.
Our coop will be located here against the side of Hubby's shop.
I hope to to get him to build me a couple of these cold frames....Okkaaayy he says
Now to the greenhouse by frost.... I'd like one like this
Or this....
I'd settle for this one too....
However I'm actually going to get this, framed, covered and a door to enter and exit!He's moving the cattle trailer to the barn.
Thanks for all the great visits and comments while I was knee deep in kids! I look forward to catching up with all of you today!!
Thanks for all the great visits and comments while I was knee deep in kids! I look forward to catching up with all of you today!!
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38 comments:
Wow, what extended and wonderful plans! Oh, I believe if the will is there, then the process will reveal itself..It is a fun thing to create and make a record of the progress...Best of luck...
~Margaret
Ooh, picture #3 gets my vote!! Gorgeous! I'd love to keep chickens....fresh eggs would be wonderful...except...well...I have to admit...I'm afraid of chickens. They are fine securely behind a pen, but if I had to get in with them....I'd freak!!
Oh it's lovely to have plans ...
Keeps one motivated.
Your courtyard sounds lovely, especially with the flowering hibiscus, and all.
We've talked about having a chicken coop, but not sure if we can, since we went from county, to now city limits....drat.
Glad you enjoyed your babies.
All of them ;)
How exciting! I can't wait to watch it all unfold!!!!!
Your little farm reminds me so much of mine. My next project is a green house.Also a Dove Cote.
Gads, Carol, you have so much energy!!
That sounds like a lot of work, but wonderful to make all those plans. All those photos of courtyards are lovely. How great that the pups are barking now and running around!
Hi, I love your courtyard plans! My sis, keeps saying I need one. You done great. When living in the country its hard to say where the back yard ends, well I guess it where the fence is for the sheep. I have the chicken coop, but not a top on it. Hubby promises to build me a new chicken house, he tore down my old one and added a pole barn, which he took over! I do have small coops up on legs separate from the pen. I have 17 new chickens, well two pullets, one hen with 5 baby chicks, and 9 bannies. A hen sitting, Then my adult flock. They are free range! Well no courtyard for me, until our home remodel is done, well I sure we will be working on it for years to come. I found us a place to get together! Its new, I hope to contact, everyone, some aren't blogging so maybe just a few we shall see, how is your time in August? Mine not in Sept., I go to surgery mid Sept. and First week to Destin, Fl. Let me know.
You have such beautiful ideas - and enough of them to keep you busy for quite some time! Love the farmhouse pic - I can see why you would want one like that! We have to see "in progress" pictures once you get started.
We built a courtyard at our old house and it created a sort of mini climate system where I could grow things that I couldn't elsewhere due to the protective nature of the area and I miss my courtyard so much. I hope you love yours as much as I did mine.
I just love planning new projects. Now finishing them, that's another thing entirely.
It'll be tons of work, but it's going to look great!
Loved your photos. I always read "Southern Living" magazine, look longingly at the lovely yards pictured there--but can't seem to dredge up the energy to do it myself!
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
How fun! Is it hard to raise chickens?
The courtyard idea sounds fun and it looks like you would have a great spot for it.
Thats a nice looking coop!
Hey Carol,
Your plans are so neat. A courtyard sounds lovely. And chickens are fun,and productive. I used to be knee deep in them, and had turkeys and ducks and geese, and you name it, but gave up on raising them a few years ago. Now, I don't want the responsibility anymore. I just like to get out and enjoy myself. Haha. But I love to read about other people's plans.
Bet you miss your sweet grands.
Have a great day.
Renie xox
What a plan! I want a greenhouse too! A pond will be wonderful. A chickens! I wasn't exactly sure if you were pulling our legs on that one. But, I've actually always wanted to keep chickens. However, neighbors who try have a hard time keeping the predators out. Leads to sad endings.
Lordy, you do have big plans! And they all sound wonderful.
So jealous! We have a teensy little porch off our apartment, which doesn't lend itself to fixing up...but this inspires me to try and be creative. :)
Wonderful plan...I wish you luck and fun "working"..I always wanted chickens but I travel a lot so I would need a 'chickensitter' when I am gone..:)Have a lovely day..
Hi, What a great plan, looking forward to seeing it unfold x
Hey Carol - glad to see you in one piece after the family left. I am excited for you to get your courtyard. Sounds like some good and exciting planning. I know you will love having chicks.
Hi Carol!
I've missed you, and life in the country. I've been reading your back posts - trying to catch up. There sure is alot of activity on the ranch. The puppies have gotten so big! They were just born when I took the month off. I'm happy that all is well. Talk to you soon.
Catherine
Gosh, backyard plans look wonderful! The kids up the road have chickens so I buy my eggs from them. That was my least favorite chore when I was a child...gathering eggs. Invariably, there was one mean ole hen who just HAD to peck!
I do hope the reality eventually matches your wonderful dreams ...
June in Oz
By the way Carol - the fiction lover in you may even enjoy a peek at my other blog - a collection of my short stories and even a full length novel. Links to individual chapters on my side bar.
June in Oz (again)
WOW. looks like more than a couple of months' work.
But you don't have as much worry about when the North wind blows.
After this year's ice storm I'm weather-bit.
Grand plans, indeed. My husband built me a cold frame once, long ago, when I had more time for gardening and seed planting. Someday.... once again.
Sounds great! Wish we had enough land for a little chicken coop.
Your courtyard looks fabulous. I find it so rewarding to plan a project and see it through to completion. Courtyards have a special charm about them and are very relaxing. Good luck with your projects!
You have some great plans - sounds like a lot of work though and taking care of everything - but if that is what you like, go for it! I like the greenhouses you showed!
Carol, you have a lot going on here with your plans. How great to have a courtyard! And if you're going to have chickens, you need a coop!! Your puppies sounding off with their vocal discovery---so cute. Glad to read that you had a nice visit. <3
Sounds just peachy to granny.
Wow !! what a happy green acres couple you two are. Makes me smile. The little red retrievers have been born and I have decided to wait. My life just feels very unsettled still and as MLou reminds me I do have 4 pets. Three great cats and the fantastic Winnie Dixon. If you'd like to have a look at the sweet bundles of red here's the link.
Much love from us all ... and I have not forgotten your seeds I noticed this morning the seed heads are just beginning to turn brown.
grahamgolden.com/Current_Litter.html
It's been unseasonably cool here as well. Love the plans, they sound wonderful!
what fun projects you have planned! I love creating the feel of outdoor "rooms", with gates and arbors leading from one to the next. A greenhouse and chicken house,is high on my list! Have fun designing and building!
Hi Carol
You are so lucky! I have a postage stamp sized back yard so even the smallest cold frame looks divine to me! I'd love to keep chickens and have such a pretty patio.
It looks like you will be very busy ..but having fun!
Hope your cooler weather lasts. We are having our first day over 90 this summer, with matching humidity...ick
I love gardens and yards - even though I do not have a traditional one now - since we are perched on a mountain and everything is wild - and we want it that way - no plantings, only what grows here....some of it rare.
But, I used to have a yard and I loved lots of flowers and green - even though I hate to actually garden myself *laugh*
Oh my, your plans look wonderful... maybe not as grand as some others but definately inspirational fodder for a writer!
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