Muck About

Greenhouse Retreat

Sometimes you stumble upon something that just brings a warm smile to your lips.  That’s what this simple rustic greenhouse, made out of mostly recycled materials, did for me. This building was constructed by Sam Agnew of Sam’s Workshop in Port Orchard, Washington, who builds them for his clients.  Having built my own, I prefer these charming structures to the purchased manufactured, cookie cutter, aluminum style greenhouses, which are void of personality.  Even better, is the character that seems to magically spring from repurposed pieces artfully crafted into something useful for the garden.  What could be more useful in the garden than a greenhouse?

Windowsills, trays and shelves inside are all made out of recycled wood.

Red Pig Tools

Finally, they’re online!  Here in the Northwest is this gem of a business that makes hand-forged garden tools.  Although you can’t order their long handled tools, you can certainly find every other tool available through mail order.

These tools make great gifts for gardeners.  My first introduction came when Lisa Albert wrote about them in her article "Dig This!"  I had the chance to visit them in 2006 and bought a wonderful shovel from them.  I wanted to buy almost every tool they offered, knowing it would be hard for me to visit them again.  Their country store is four hours away, located out in the middle of nowhere--Boring, Oregon.  Of course, with 1000 tools to select from, that would have put a serious dent in my pocketbook. I envied those who lived in Oregon and their easy access to quality, hand-forged tools.

I am tickled to see them online and I already see a few too many tools I want.  They promise to add more to their online presence. I’m doomed!

Red Pig Tools