This is going to sound really crazy, but a few years back I was actually suffering from outhouse envy! Never heard of it? Probably not, but I declare it to be a real affliction.
Perry, Ohio is a fairly rural community. Two traffic lights and not a single fast-food restaurant. That rural enough for you? But it’s not really what I’d call out in the sticks. We’re only 30 miles, give or take a mile to two east of Cleveland.
But when Pam and I moved into the first house we owned, right across the street were two old farmhouses. And each one had an honest-to-goodness authentic outhouse. Sitting on our front porch we could see both of those outhouses.
So one evening as we were just kicking back and relaxing I said; “I think I’ll build an outhouse.” And immediately Pam said; “Oh no you’re not!” I said; “I think I will. Probably only take me a week in my spare time.” “You are not building an outhouse!” said she. “You’ll like it.” Said I. “I’m going to call it a shedhouse. It’ll be a little potting barn.”
So the next day I came home with a truck full of lumber and started sawing and hammering away. My next-door neighbor Millie sees me out in the driveway working away and doesn’t give it too much thought at first.
But as my shedhouse starts to take shape the curiosity gets the best of her and out the door she comes. Jim and Millie are from Oklahoma and she knows an outhouse when she sees one.
“Mike what are you building?” she asks. So I ask her, not in a sarcastic tone, but I want to know if it resembles what I want it to resemble; “Well . . . what do think it looks like Millie?” She says; “It looks a lot like an outhouse, but I know you’re not building an outhouse!”
So I tell her it’s a surprise and she’ll just have to watch and wonder. Finally, when I got it done Millie absolutely loved my “Shedhouse” that I used as a little potting barn and she said; “You’re really quite creative.” To which I reply; “Yeah, in a dangerous sort of way.”
I love love your outhouse. My neighbor would have a heart attack if I had one. I especially
like the pink and the organisation of it.
Thanks Jean, you should build one.
I would like to get the plans and list of materials needed to build A similar Potting Shed Disguised As An Outhouse.
Please help.
David
David,
There are no plans but we do have a step by step video somewhere. It might be in our University, I don’t honestly know, Duston put that together with material that I created over 16 years. http://backyardgrowers.com/ultimate-growers-shortcut/ Try googling shed house????? That’s what I called it at the time.
Question regarding crape myrtle, newly planted last year,did grow. I did not prune the old growth last year. Should I go ahead and prune the dead ends which has seed pods on them. Is it ok to do the pruneing now in the spring?
Carol, sure you can prune now if it needs pruning.
I’ve taken quite an interest in outhouses and porta-johns for the past 26 years. This potting shed is very impressive!! For the past 9-7 years I’ve been ponderiing some alternative purposes that privies could serve since using them as an “outdoor toilet” is forbidden.
My ideas are to make them a part of an indoor bathroom and utilize for storage.
really love your potting shed outhouse idea. that is really going to look great on our new property. we out grew the one we are on 2 acres. Would love to do something like that with my chickens in mind. A shed like that for all their feed, scoops, hay, and maybe a little area for the babies to be in. not sure what or how I would do it yet but I know it would look great next to the chicken coops. I have several different breeds and hatch the eggs to sell chicks.
Decatur. texas
I can’t believe it. The whole time I lived on the family farm I used the old, filled in outhouse as a toolshed. Everyone thought I’d lost my mind! Of course, mine was basic compared to yours. All I had was a series of hooks to hang the tools from and the bench held odds and ends.
Mike, your version is nothing short of brilliant. The string storage is genius. I always end up leaving the garden twine out in the garden and it gets ruined. The potting bench is great!
I agree you’d make a terrific neighbor. My husband is an engineer and I have a feeling you two could get in a lot of “trouble” together!
I think everyone should move next to Mike, he would be a fun neighbor
Mike:
You are truly an inspiration to gardeners everywhere. What a unique and very useful idea in your outhouse garden shed. Wish you were my next door neighbor.
Mary McLuckie
You never cease to amaze, Mike! How I wish I could convince my suburban neighbors to allow me to put one up! Functional, to say the least. Do you have it anchored to footings for those super windy periods?
Mike,
I must admit that is the best outhouse I have ever seen! Keep up the good work!
Thanks for another neat tip Mike.
And I thought the outhouse I built 30 years ago was good. It even had a fan and heater in it, with a padded seat, insulation, and a linoleum floor. Although mine was for a different function, yours is much better for its purpose. I will make one when I move into my new house.
I really like the consept of using the outhouse for storage and potting area. Where do you put the potting soil in at. We have limited yard space so this would work real well for use. Again thanks for sharing this info.
Well you know, I remember the outhouse on my Aunt and Uncles farm, so I know what you mean. I didn’t know this was a true affliction. But this outhouse shed sure is a cure!
Thank you for being so creative!
I wish you lived closer to us, or maybe us to you. You’d make a great neighbor. Anyway, I love your outhouse. Not sure if the trailer park regulations would allow me to have one of these, but I just might check on it. What a great idea!
Thanks.
When I click on the ling the videos are not there lately. I hate to miss them.
Thanks
Hey Craig,
What internet browser are you using… Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome? Let me know and I’ll look for a solution for you. Sometimes certain browsers don’t support videos from Youtube like AOL. Sometimes it’s just a security setting that needs to be changed in your browser.
Let me know and we’ll get you fixed up.
Thanks,
Duston