Woohoo! We now have a sink in our garden! Ever since we started our vegetable garden three years ago, I have wished for a working sink inside the garden. And this week my dream has come true with the help of Leo, his brother Jim, and our neighbor Johnny.
A few months ago, Leo and Jim found an old sink at a junk pile. It's a really old cast iron porcelain sink with double drainboards just like the one that was in the house that I grew up in. And it was in remarkable condition to be so old.
We patterned our combination potting bench and sink after my sister-in-law Jean's potting bench that you can see here. Monday, Leo and I went to Lowe's to buy the treated lumber to make the bench.
By Tuesday afternoon, our neighbor Johnny had constructed the bench.
At this point, the sink was ready to go in, so Leo's brother Jim came over to do the plumbing.
Here's the back of the sink. We were planning to put new fixtures on it, but we couldn't get the old ones off so we just put a new hose and sprayer on it.
In this picture, the sink is in and Leo and Jim are putting the finishing touches on the plumbing.
Johnny is putting in the sprayer and it WORKS!
Here you can see the old fixtures.
Yesterday I cleaned and scrubbed the sink and put it to work.
I pulled and washed some carrots and
and picked some fresh spinach.
It is so much easier to wash off the produce outside.
I removed the carrot tops, took a few steps, and threw them into the compost bin. So much easier and less time consuming. I'm so happy to have my new (old) sink in the garden!
And speaking of the garden I thought I'd show you how rapidly the tomatoes have grown.
You know what this means, don't you? Fresh tomato sandwiches in a few weeks!
We'll have squash in a day or so.
We've been eating salads a lot lately!
The broccoli is almost gone.
And we had some little, red potatoes last night for dinner. And guess where I washed them?
At my new garden sink, of course!
Allison
Where is the drainage going from your sink?
Leo Windham
Hi Allison,
I dug a French drain ditch inside the garden. It's all fresh water with no chemicals.
Thanks for visiting the cottage at the crossroads.
Cheryl Austin
Love the sink!!!! I want one, too. I showed this to my hubby last night; now just to get him to build one for me!
Mary
Brilliant~ I'm green with envy! Your garden is thriving too 🙂
liz
Love the potting table and sink - I also was wondering where the water is going, but with all of the soaker hoses, I am guessing that you are recycling it out to the garden.
I also like how you did your raised beds with the 4x4 corner posts. The ones I built a few years ago warped with the heat last year and I've been looking for solutions and I think you just provided me with a great one. And the corner posts are much cheaper that getting those metal corners. And it would also be easier to make them taller. Thanks for the ideas!
Jean Windham
Oh the garden sink is just perfect. I know you and Leo are so proud. I cannot believe the guys found this old sink in the woods. What a find. The garden is really coming along and I can hardly wait to have a tomato sandwich soon. Congrats. I wish I was there to build me one too. Jean
Pam
Such a great idea. And your garden look wonderful. I think I'll have a big old salad for lunch today!
[email protected]
I never thought of having a garden sink before but it makes so much sense. I am so impressed with all of your veggies. We have been reading books and just hoping to get a few things this year. I must say my husband and I think this gardening thing is addicting!
Mrs. Jones from the Circus
I love the idea of a sink at your potting/garden table. That is just perfect!! I clicked over from Southern Hospitaity
Debbie
You lucky girl! I would love to have that sink in my house! Your garden is looking great! You guys really know how to live 🙂
Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage
I am coveting this - what a fabulous old double drain sink! I wanted one for my kitchen but it was way too big! Love that you used it outside! And your garden - I want some of this red skinned potatoes right now!
Kelly
Ginger
I love, love your garden and I love, love your garden sink. Such a neat and productive idea.
Thanks for sharing, Ginger
Kathy
What a gorgeous garden!
for the love of a house
ohmygosh Jane!!! I can not believe how mature your garden is already!! Wow. And I love your garden sink.... so cool!
Happy weekend to you and Leo!
xojoan
Sheila
How did you handle the sink drainage? I love this!
Carlene @ Oganized Clutter
I am jealous of your great new sink and your wonderful healthy, well tended gardens!
Judy
Love this ideal and would really like to have one for my potting bench. Enjoyed my visit. I also am very jealous.
Ann
Oh my gosh. I just can't imagine. You and Leo continue to amaze me with all you do. The sink is to DIE for. I'm stunned at the tomato plants. What are you going to do with all of those tomatoes? They look absolutely gorgeous and I agree with one of the above commenters. Jealous!
Melanie
Now I love the look of that sink!! It must be so nice to have a sink in the garden, I can only imagine! Fresh tomato sandwiches yum!! One of my favorite things about summer!!
Gail
All I can say is "WOW"! What a garden! You two put us to shame. LOVE your sink.
Barbara F.
Jane, I am so jealous of all the handy men you have there!!!! Your veggie garden looks fantastic. I can't wait to see all your recipes for the veggies. xo
Jen
LOVE IT!!! It is wonderful!! Lucky girl!
Anne
That is so fabulous!! and what a garden you have! I'd be envious but I know how much work it is...
Enjoy!!
xox
Terri
OH WHAT A WONDERFUL IDEA!!!!!!!!! and I had an AWWWWW.... "moment" when I saw the sink... My precious Grandmother's house on the farm in Ga. still has that exact sink in her kitchen..... those things just keep on going........ 🙂 thank you for sharing Jane!!!!!
Dolly Sarrio
Jane I really like your new sink. They did a great job on that. You and Leo have the greenest thumbs everything looks so beautiful..
[email protected] Designs
Oh Jane..what a treat to have a sink in the garden.....I have seen those sinks at antique fairs and they go quickly for the same purpose as yours....Your garden is gorgeous...I just love seeing the progress!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Anita
What a fab idea!! I would love to have one of these outdoors and we thought of it but haven't done it yet. Yours is gorgeous, and that is exactly the same sink we had in the old farmhouse. We sold the farmhouse and had it moved off our ranch. BTW, that thing weighed a ton.
PAUL NELSON
Looking good my friends
Bj
Jane! I just love love love your sink. That is just amazing and so handy. I am having sink envy 🙂
Your garden is so great too. You certainly have the green thumb!
Hugs,
Bj
Helen
Jane, I'm as green as your colander. I couldn't resist, but seriously, your sink is going to be handy for so much besides veggies. Your descriptions are so perfect...makes me feel as if I've been there. Thanks for sharing, Helen
Laura
Oh dear...
I really want plumbing in my garden shed.
How wonderful for you!
Your garden looks fabulous!
Laura
White Spray Paint
Jana
Your new/old sink looks great but my goodness, look at those tomatoes. They look wonderful. Just seeing yours makes me long for some fried green tomatoes. Can hardly wait until mine are growing those little jewels.
Nancy
You think of everything, I am so impressed!!
Amy
Hi Jane. So nice to meet you.
I love your sink in your garden. What a great idea..so functional...and it looks great!!! And, you garden is fabulous!!!!
So happy I stopped by tonight. God bless you, Amy
Diane
Jealous!
Shirley
Jane, me parece estupendo tener un fregadero en el jardín, muy ágil para el rápido lavado de legumbres y hortalizas. Los felicito, y me encanta como crece todo en la encrucijada. Saludos
deb
Love it!!