Wood Bins Turned Into Garden Cottage

Wood Bins Turned Into Garden Cottage BUILDINGS Houses Two wooden octagon grain bins once held grain Now they are filled with laughter clinking wine glasses and the calming sound of a front porch water fountain in the midst of a colorful garden     The 1950-era bins are the focal point of Dakota Sun Gardens a rural Carrington N Dak getaway for people conducting informal business meetings garden or birding clubs or groups who just want to spend a relaxing evening or afternoon in the country and meander through 30 flower beds on the farm by owners Bruce and Merleen Gussiaas     It started when Merleen heard about a free 1 100-bushel bin on a radio ad that an elderly owner wanted to give away Not far from the man s farm the Gussiaases found a second 800-bushel bin for $100 The 14-ft wide structures were sturdy and hauled easily on trailers for the 75-mile trip home     Bruce says the bins were built in the 1950 s and were provided by the government for a nominal fee The bins were delivered in sections by train Farmers used metal straps to put the fir walls together and the floor came in sections The cedar roof also came in sections and was commonly covered with tarpaper     Bruce wanted to preserve the natural state of the bins as much as possible After cleaning out pigeon droppings he found that the floors were in decent shape He placed the bins on a cement slab cut out sections of wall on each bin and added connecting walls They re open to the pond and gardens     There was enough wood from the cut bin walls to replace the few rotten floorboards as well as fill the space between the bins     Windows from an old schoolhouse bring in light from the front and the grain doors also add light and ventilation Bruce used mostly salvaged items to finish off the cottage His main costs were concrete metal roofing and the two cupolas he purchased on eBay One was made in the 1780 s and the other in the 1860 s     Furnished simply with comfortable chairs and tables the couple kept their grain bin cottage natural and rustic     The Gussiaases grow and sell rhubarb honeyberries black chokecherries and other fruits and are licensed to make wine which they sell locally and through their website      Women who see the grain bin cottage all want to have one Merleen laughs I m glad we were able to preserve a piece of history     Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Dakota Sun Gardens 955 73rd Ave N E Carrington N Dak 58421 ph 701 674-3316; www dakotasungardens com

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