Goodbye, Garbage Shed – Hello, Fresh Start!

Much of the shed is emptied and down

Out here on our future homestead, every summer brings its own kind of project. This time? It was the “junk shed” next to our house—an old eyesore we’ve been meaning to tackle for years. It was one of those sheds you’re almost afraid to go by because you don’t know what’s going to come out. It became our "forest junk drawer" of sorts. 

Dumpster to throw trash in

We rented a dumpster for $635 (worth every penny), rolled up our sleeves, and braced ourselves for two full days of cleanup. I’ll be honest—it wasn’t glamorous. The shed was packed floor to ceiling with almost 10 years worth trash, drywall, old windows, and who-knows-what. 

Did I mention it was hot? Not just “July in Michigan” hot—it was “why did we choose these two days” hot. My husband and son powered through, taking frequent breaks in the shade and using cooling towels like champs. I mostly supervised, offered moral support, and made sure the cold water was flowing.

Shed pulled down by tractor

By the end of Day 2, the shed was down, the dumpster was full to the brim, and we could finally see the ground where the old shed was. The transformation was incredible. What was once a cluttered mess is now a wide-open, clean space. It’s almost… peaceful.

The old shed is gone

Eventually, we plan to put up a lean-to style wood storage area there, but that's probably a next-year project. For now, I’m just enjoying the view and the satisfaction of one less “someday” project hanging over our heads.

Sometimes progress looks like a giant pile of trash and two sweaty days in the sun. But around here, that’s just part of our homestead journey.