[HowlingFarms]

Hello all,

I’m looking for ideas on what to use a 12ft x 14ft concrete slab for. It was originally used for the previous owners dog run. It’s fenced in and has 4x4” posts holding the fence.

It is about 10ft away from our outdoor wood boiler so it’s pretty smokey in the area during winter.

I was originally going to put a greenhouse on the slab, but winters are so harsh here that it wouldn’t be used year round. And it wouldn’t really be needed in the summer. Maybe an open greenhouse idea with raised beds?

I am looking for ideas on how to utilize this pad!

Thanks!

 

[Bearfootfarm]

It is about 10ft away from our outdoor wood boiler so it’s pretty smokey in the area during winter.

If it's smoky at ground level maybe you need a taller chimney.

 

[HowlingFarms]

Well that wasn’t very helpful. But as an FYI, the chimney is 12ft tall and the smoke is only at ground level when the winds shoot out of the north fast enough to cause a down draft.

However, even though the previous owner had their dogs living in the space, I would not see it fit for animals simply because of the proximity to the boiler.

 

[crehberg]

Wood storage for wood boiler maybe? Frame it in with roof?

 

[alleyyooper]

So winters are harsh there, where Alaska?

You have a wood boiler just run some plumbing inside the green house to heat it. could also be used earlier in the spring as a place to start plants for the garden possible even sell a few annuals for people.

Ya it would Make a nice place to put raised beds also now weeds could grow from roots left in the ground.
Lady bee keeper I know linded up her hives on such a slab left when a old barn was torn down. Made it nice to work during MUD SEASON.

Al

 

[HowlingFarms]

Wood storage for wood boiler maybe? Frame it in with roof?

Did consider that. We have the wood piled just to the right of the boiler, but it is just in dirt and wood tends to freeze to the ground. The slab would be a nice platform if all else fails.

So winters are harsh there, where Alaska?

You have a wood boiler just run some plumbing inside the green house to heat it. could also be used earlier in the spring as a place to start plants for the garden possible even sell a few annuals for people.

Ya it would Make a nice place to put raised beds also now weeds could grow from roots left in the ground.
Lady bee keeper I know linded up her hives on such a slab left when a old barn was torn down. Made it nice to work during MUD SEASON.

Al

We are in Michigan. Do you think the bees would mind the occasional smoke? We are wanting to do chickens and bees in the future. I thought about having chickens there but again, was afraid the smoke would bother them, but also they wouldn’t like concrete to peck at. Lol

Bees though become docile in smoke, just wonder if they’d move away during the winter months when the boiler is running?

 

[Bearfootfarm]

The smoke won't be good for any animals of any type, aside from bacon and sausage.
If you build an enclosed shed it won't make much difference though.

I'd put the bees as far from the boiler as possible, and nowhere near the chickens that would see them as snacks.

Put down a couple of long 4X4's, some small logs or some pallets to stack your firewood on and it won't be freezing in the mud.

The pad could easily be covered with a 12 X 20 "carport" that would be easy to enclose completely.

 

[geo in mi]

If you lived in Indiana, it would become a basketball goal. The three point shot originated in Indiana, you know, from kids having to shoot underneath the barn beams in the hayloft after supper---long, low-arcing shots... Maybe you could develop a new shot--through the smoke, over the boiler--nothing but net!

geo

 

[GTX63]

I'll 2nd or 3rd the wood storage. Getting logs off the dirt and undercover so close to a wood burner just makes sense to me.

 

[alleyyooper]

I agree with GTX 63 on the wood storage. Michigan ah, afraid the boogie man will get you if you were to put that in your profile so people could see it when talking about bees?

In the winter the bees are clustered up inside the hive fanning their little wings to keep the center at about 94F. they unlike humans work for the common good and move from the real warm center to the bit cooler out side of the cluster always takeing their turn in the center.

Most boilers only smoke when fresh wood is installed in the fire box Unless it is green wet wood. That smoke only come to the ground during high pressure and a wind some times that I have ever seen.

Harsh winters in Michigan, totally funny. You want harsh winters move to Minnesota or even Wisconsin.
My daugther in wisconsin last week was E mailing me About snow waist high at the end of her drive nearly evey morning from the snow plow going by. That was at below zero temps also. Kids missed 3 of the 5 days of school due to the snow amounts and the below zero temps. of the 2 days of school there were 2 hour delays both days.

No way Michigan winters are harsh thanks to being sandwiched between the great lakes that happen to help keep our temp moderate compaired to the states west of us.

Now near the great lake shores we do get a good amount of lake effect snow. Some whine and complain about that but can't really be all that bad or they would MOVE.


Al

 

[pjigar]

It would be a good platform for bees and you can fence it in if you have bear problem. Bees don't like smoke but they don't fly in winter either so you will be fine.

I personally would build a honey house on it or any utility building that needs a nice floor.

 

[HowlingFarms]

So far, looks like wood storage is the winner. The wife likes that idea to reclaim the grass and such around the boiler. We don't have a need for a carport since we have an attached garage and a 30x40ft pole barn.

I do love the idea for bees, however, the wife thinks it's too close to where the kids play. Sheesh! You'd think the kids could play somewhere else on the 10 acres. lol

Harsh winters in Michigan, totally funny. You want harsh winters move to Minnesota or even Wisconsin.My daugther in wisconsin last week was E mailing me About snow waist high at the end of her drive nearly evey morning from the snow plow going by. That was at below zero temps also. Kids missed 3 of the 5 days of school due to the snow amounts and the below zero temps. of the 2 days of school there were 2 hour delays both days.

No way Michigan winters are harsh thanks to being sandwiched between the great lakes that happen to help keep our temp moderate compaired to the states west of us.

Now near the great lake shores we do get a good amount of lake effect snow. Some whine and complain about that but can't really be all that bad or they would MOVE.


Al

Well, we're in the river valley (near Muskegon and Little Muskegon) and have lake effect snow almost daily. Currently, -7 outside and still a foot of snow on the ground on our property. We had 16" over night just last week. As for school days, our kids have had close to 15 days missed due to weather already. The school says the kids will be in almost to July now.

 

[alleyyooper]

Is 8 below here, no lake effect snow so. Kids here have year round school so may be miss a week off in the time off they set.

Al

 

[Fishindude]

1. Build a wood shed on it.
2. Build a storage shed on it.
3. Build a big raised bed in the middle of it, leave fence and you will have a raised bed garden the critters can't get to.
4. Set up grill, smoker and a picnic table on it for a bar-b-q area.

 

[AmericanStand]

I’d go with 4 above.
Set up a yard entertainment center on it.

Then wait for a need to come up that really NEEDS that slab.

 

[AmericanStand]

By the way you can probably move the slab if it would be handier somewhere else.

 

[oldtruckbbq]

Hello all,

I’m looking for ideas on what to use a 12ft x 14ft concrete slab for. It was originally used for the previous owners dog run. It’s fenced in and has 4x4” posts holding the fence.

It is about 10ft away from our outdoor wood boiler so it’s pretty smokey in the area during winter.

I was originally going to put a greenhouse on the slab, but winters are so harsh here that it wouldn’t be used year round. And it wouldn’t really be needed in the summer. Maybe an open greenhouse idea with raised beds?

I am looking for ideas on how to utilize this pad!

Thanks!

I'd turn it into an outdoor kitchen with smoker and grill. And no, it doesn't have to be just for spring/summer. Put longer corner posts and a roof over all or part of it and you can use it year round. Smoking meat can take longer in winter (unless you have a welding blanket to put over your smoker), but you don't have to wait until summer for pulled pork, brisket, and ribs.

 

[ydderf]

you could build a 2 story 12x14 mother in law house.open room for storage on the bottom bedroom above.

 

[Bearfootfarm]

We don't have a need for a carport since we have an attached garage and a 30x40ft pole barn.

A "carport" doesn't have to be used as a carport.
That's just how they are marketed.

It's just an easy to erect metal shelter that is often cheaper than buying materials and building one yourself.

 

[Fishindude]

By the way you can probably move the slab if it would be handier somewhere else.

I'd like to see this attempted and keep it in one piece.