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    Home » DIY » Outdoor Projects

    A Sink in the Garden

    By: Jane · Updated: 2 Feb, '13 · This post may contain affiliate links · 38 Comments

    Sharing is caring!

    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.

    Sink in the garden 014

    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.

    Garden sink 034

    By Tuesday afternoon, our neighbor Johnny had constructed the bench.

    Garden sink 038

    At this point, the sink was ready to go in, so Leo's brother Jim came over to do the plumbing.

    Garden sink 032

    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.

    Garden sink 046

    In this picture, the sink is in and Leo and Jim are putting the finishing touches on the plumbing.

    Garden sink 047

    Johnny is putting in the sprayer and it WORKS!

    Garden sink 049

    Here you can see the old fixtures.

    Sink in the garden 006

    Yesterday I cleaned and scrubbed the sink and put it to work.

    Sink in the garden 010

    I pulled and washed some carrots and

    Sink in the garden 002

    and picked some fresh spinach.

    Sink in the garden 003

    It is so much easier to wash off the produce outside.

    Sink in the garden 016

    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!

    Sink in the garden 018

    And speaking of the garden I thought I'd show you how rapidly the tomatoes have grown.

    Sink in the garden 020

    You know what this means, don't you? Fresh tomato sandwiches in a few weeks!

    Garden sink 041

    We'll have squash in a day or so.

    Sink in the garden 022

    We've been eating salads a lot lately!

    Sink in the garden 031

    The broccoli is almost gone.

    Sink in the garden 032

    And we had some little, red potatoes last night for dinner. And guess where I washed them?

    Sink in the garden 030

    At my new garden sink, of course!

    Sink in the garden 015

     

     

     

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    Comments

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    1. francis c moore

      October 22, 2022 at 8:38 am

      Love your garden and your new/old sink. What a good idea.

      Reply
    2. Allison

      April 04, 2014 at 3:11 pm

      Where is the drainage going from your sink?

      Reply
      • Leo Windham

        April 04, 2014 at 3:24 pm

        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.

        Reply
    3. Cheryl Austin

      May 09, 2012 at 9:59 am

      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!

      Reply
    4. Mary

      May 07, 2012 at 7:54 pm

      Brilliant~ I'm green with envy! Your garden is thriving too 🙂

      Reply
    5. liz

      May 07, 2012 at 11:57 am

      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!

      Reply
    6. Jean Windham

      May 07, 2012 at 9:43 am

      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

      Reply
    7. Pam

      May 07, 2012 at 8:51 am

      Such a great idea. And your garden look wonderful. I think I'll have a big old salad for lunch today!

      Reply
    8. [email protected]

      May 07, 2012 at 8:49 am

      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!

      Reply
    9. Mrs. Jones from the Circus

      May 06, 2012 at 8:22 pm

      I love the idea of a sink at your potting/garden table. That is just perfect!! I clicked over from Southern Hospitaity

      Reply
    10. Debbie

      May 06, 2012 at 7:38 pm

      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 🙂

      Reply
    11. Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      May 06, 2012 at 6:38 pm

      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

      Reply
    12. Ginger

      May 05, 2012 at 11:34 pm

      I love, love your garden and I love, love your garden sink. Such a neat and productive idea.
      Thanks for sharing, Ginger

      Reply
    13. Kathy

      May 05, 2012 at 6:47 pm

      What a gorgeous garden!

      Reply
    14. for the love of a house

      May 05, 2012 at 11:47 am

      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

      Reply
    15. Sheila

      May 05, 2012 at 7:38 am

      How did you handle the sink drainage? I love this!

      Reply
    16. Carlene @ Oganized Clutter

      May 05, 2012 at 7:33 am

      I am jealous of your great new sink and your wonderful healthy, well tended gardens!

      Reply
    17. Judy

      May 04, 2012 at 10:15 pm

      Love this ideal and would really like to have one for my potting bench. Enjoyed my visit. I also am very jealous.

      Reply
    18. Ann

      May 04, 2012 at 9:27 pm

      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!

      Reply
    19. Melanie

      May 04, 2012 at 3:08 pm

      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!!

      Reply
    20. Gail

      May 04, 2012 at 11:17 am

      All I can say is "WOW"! What a garden! You two put us to shame. LOVE your sink.

      Reply
    21. Barbara F.

      May 04, 2012 at 9:25 am

      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

      Reply
    22. Jen

      May 04, 2012 at 9:24 am

      LOVE IT!!! It is wonderful!! Lucky girl!

      Reply
    23. Anne

      May 04, 2012 at 8:39 am

      That is so fabulous!! and what a garden you have! I'd be envious but I know how much work it is...

      Enjoy!!
      xox

      Reply
    24. Terri

      May 04, 2012 at 7:38 am

      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!!!!!

      Reply
    25. Dolly Sarrio

      May 04, 2012 at 7:23 am

      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..

      Reply
    26. [email protected] Designs

      May 04, 2012 at 7:23 am

      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!

      Reply
    27. Anita

      May 04, 2012 at 6:53 am

      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.

      Reply
    28. PAUL NELSON

      May 04, 2012 at 6:25 am

      Looking good my friends

      Reply
    29. Bj

      May 04, 2012 at 6:08 am

      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

      Reply
    30. Helen

      May 04, 2012 at 2:26 am

      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

      Reply
    31. Laura

      May 03, 2012 at 10:31 pm

      Oh dear...
      I really want plumbing in my garden shed.
      How wonderful for you!
      Your garden looks fabulous!

      Laura
      White Spray Paint

      Reply
    32. Jana

      May 03, 2012 at 9:15 pm

      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.

      Reply
    33. Nancy

      May 03, 2012 at 8:52 pm

      You think of everything, I am so impressed!!

      Reply
    34. Amy

      May 03, 2012 at 8:43 pm

      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

      Reply
    35. Diane

      May 03, 2012 at 4:44 pm

      Jealous!

      Reply
    36. Shirley

      May 03, 2012 at 3:21 pm

      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

      Reply
    37. deb

      May 03, 2012 at 1:38 pm

      Love it!!

      Reply

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