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Dirt to Patio
Words by Mady St. George
The journey begins at the edge of the ornamental garden; a space that, not long ago, was nothing but dirt. As you walk the windy path, the air shifts to the sweet fragrance of seasonal blooms. Each plant represents a small victory: a seed that finally took root or a transplant that weathered a difficult season. The path is designed to slow your pace, inviting you to linger and enjoy the garden journey before reaching the final reveal.
This transformation took endless hours designing layouts on paper before a shovel even hit the ground. Followed by building garden beds from scratch, hauling endless wheelbarrows of soil and compost, and raking each bed under the punishing hot summer sun. Long, humid days were spent hauling heavy pavers, laying each one down with precision, our muscles aching long after the sun went down. This wasn’t a typical project for us; it was a feat of collective determination to see a vision through to the end.
The path eventually opens to our masterpiece: a stunning glass greenhouse surrounded by a hand-laid patio. It was once nothing more than compacted dirt, but it now serves as a permanent achievement. The greenhouse stands as a testament to what hard work can achieve, offering a peaceful, sun-drenched place to sit, reflect, and finally put the shovel down.
New Hampshire Preservation Alliance
Old House and Barn Expo
Sanborn Mills Farm will be at the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance Old House & Barn Expo this weekend, and we’d love to see you there! Join us Saturday, March 14 (9:30am–5:30pm) and Sunday, March 15 (9:30am–4:30pm) at Sullivan Ice Arena at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, NH. Stop by to learn more about our programs, meet our team, and connect with a community passionate about historic preservation, craft, and traditional building. For tickets, exhibitors, and the full schedule, visit the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance website.
Sanborn Mills Farm | 7097 Sanborn Road | Loudon, NH 03307 US
Learn to split, shave, and steam-bend a beautiful and functional three-pronged wooden pitchfork using traditional hand tools, perfect for beginners curious about green woodworking.
Learn the fundamentals of working with draft oxen—including plowing, planting, cultivating, and cart work—in this hands-on two-day workshop designed for anyone interested in traditional power on the farm.