Betsy Sweeny
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The First Project I Tackled at the McLain House

9/29/2020

32 Comments

 
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Why Worry About Gardening?
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​I closed on the McLain house on May 28th, 2020.  Spring was inching into summer, and I had a whole season of work ahead of me.  So, what was the first project I tackled? Window repairs? Raccoon eviction? Waterproofing? None of the above.  The first project I tackled at my 3,400 square foot, three level, ivy covered monster of a house wasn’t even about the house.  It was about gardening
And not just any garden.  Pretty, raised, painted garden beds.  I wanted decorative finials on the corners, and to feel like Ina Garten in the Hamptons, picking heirloom tomatoes, instead of regular Betsy picking mint because it’s the only thing that grows, in East Wheeling.
And while those romantic gardening fantasies were an influence, why I really chose to make container gardens my first project instead of countless other, more pressing tasks, was because I wanted to make a statement.  I wanted people in the neighborhood to walk by and see something was different.
This was important to me because The McLain House is in East Wheeling, a neighborhood that has historically been underserved and underappreciated. It’s a neighborhood that suffered the effects of Urban Renewal, and the decimation of community in favor of roadways in the mid-century. It’s a neighborhood where historic homes have fallen into disrepair, and raze or repair orders have become all too common.  My own side yard once contained a historic Italianate brick home that raised countless generations.  Sometime in the mid-2000s that home was demolished, leaving an empty lot, later parceled in with the McLain house.
I wanted my neighbors to know something different was beginning to take place.  The empty lot beside my vacant house was empty no more.  And it is a yard, with mowed grass and garden beds, not an empty space owned and cared for by no one.  This was no longer a short cut from 14th to the alley, it was a place where someone was doing something (although you’re still welcome to cut through my yard anytime and stop and say hi). 
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How I Made Them
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The dirty little secret about container gardening is that its not *that* cheap. Buying dimensional lumber and soil and plants and so on can easily turn a simple project into an expense on par with an actual weekend getaway.  I don’t know about you, but I’d rather spend my extra cash on weekend trips with cocktails and a hot tub, not compost and treated lumber.  Disclaimer about this approach: you do get what you pay for.  I got attractive, functional garden beds that will not be featured by any woodworking magazine anytime soon.  If cedar that will last forever and hand chiseled joints are your jam, that’s great.  I however, want cute, manageable, and a project I can actually finish and not agonize over.
So first, I found some salvageable wood.  I am extremely fortunate that my boyfriend also bought an old building in Wheeling, that just so happened to have been a cabinet shop, where salvaged materials are abundant.  But if you are not in that position, simply begin wood hoarding, and you’ll soon have your own supply.  Seriously, dumpster dive, look for people gutting houses, you name it, people are always throwing away perfectly good lumber.  Take it, hoard it, thank me later.
 
I managed to find sixteen pieces of six-foot-long by about 10’’ wide boards, and a handful of square-ish pieces to nail to. The process was simple: Stack two boards, screw into a square vertical piece on the interior used for support, then repeat until you have a square.  Once I had a square, I added some decorative finials from woodpecker supply to the corners, painted the entire thing with the heaviest white exterior paint I could find, and called it a day.  One of the two beds got a divider running down the middle initially for support, but later I found this helped keep plants in their rightful spots.
Once the paint dried, I took the beds to the house, picked a spot where they’d be visible but out of the way of mowing, and plopped them down.  I put newspaper down to deter weeds, then a good layer of sticks and miscellaneous vegetation, and then some compost.  Luckily the back patio had several years of decomposing leaves available, so that was shoveled up and dumped in.  This filled the beds about 1/3 of the way, and a truckload of dirt from a local landscaping company was enough to fill them the rest of the way, and top with mulch.  I got my plants locally, from two wonderful organizations, Russell Nesbitt Services and Grow Ohio Valley.
Russell Nesbitt provides lifestyle opportunities to adults with disabilities, and their seasonal greenhouse provides skills training and employment opportunities for the individuals they work with.  They grow the best starter plants, maintain a greenhouse in downtown Wheeling, and the proceeds go directly back into the organization’s programming.  I bought tomato, pepper, brussels sprouts and herb starters from them. 
Grow Ohio Valley is a local nonprofit organization rethinking the way we approach food justice and access to fresh produce and local groceries.  They opened the Public Market last October, brining fresh, local food to downtown Wheeling and addressing a food desert.  I purchased Zinnia and mixed wildflower seeds there.
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The Harvest
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Now, looking back over the past three months, I can’t say everything I planted was a success.   I still contend with an enormous groundhog that lives under the mini house, and feasts on my tomatoes.  I was able to enjoy fresh herbs all summer, making Mojitos right in the backyard with my mint.  On several occasions I brought fresh floral arrangements as hostess gifts, and nothing made me happier than knowing my friend Jenna down the street picked herself a bouquet one day while she was out walking the dog.  One day my neighbor Donna, who has lived on 14th street for nearly 50 years, told me she remembered the old Italian couple that owned the McLain house in the 1960s and 70s, growing huge, elaborate gardens that fragranced the whole neighborhood.
And that is why my container gardens are so important to me.  They brought life back into a long quiet space.  Friends picking flowers, neighbors remembering their neighbor’s grape vines.  It’s about people in a neighborhood that often gets brushed off, seeing that their community is special, and that a piece of it will be tended with care. 
32 Comments
Debra
9/29/2020 06:29:39 pm

I will love following your renovations!

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Teresa
9/30/2020 03:44:46 am

We had a family of groundhogs in our garden too. They ate all of the greens, let them grow back a bit, then ate them again! We got a motion sensing sprinkler to scare them away, and it went off so often that We never had to water.

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Heather Cartwright
10/2/2020 05:29:35 am

I love this so much! Found you via YouTube and I love the vision you have not just for your home, but for your community. I hope your project gets all the attention it deserves!

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Fruga Lity
10/4/2020 07:53:33 am

Excited to start this journey with you.

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Jennifer
10/4/2020 02:58:11 pm

How fun to be "in on the ground floor" with your project! Looking forward to your updates. I hope you'll consider adding YouTube, you're very good at explaining your renovation ideas on video and it would help you support the project financially!

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Robert
10/4/2020 06:55:27 pm

Get onto You Tube girl !

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Liz B.
10/4/2020 09:28:23 pm

Hello! I found you though the cheap old house youtube video. I hope you update this blog to tell us how things are going. I, too, love old things and I’d love to see your progress. I agree that a garden is very important, especially when you have a neighbor that remembers the old days.
Also, I’d love some insight into getting into something like this. You said your boyfriend and friend have bought houses near by. I’m sure things are easier when you have other people’s support.

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Dorothy Britting
10/5/2020 10:16:14 am

I’m so happy for you & proud of what you are doing!!!

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Kat Garcia
10/6/2020 08:26:20 am

I just watched a YouTube video about you and your house. I love to see old houses being brought back to life. I hope to see pictures of your work as it happens. It's easy to see how beautiful if was when it was built. It will be wonderful when its finished. I'm working on my own old house with no money and no help. So mine will take years. But I'm enjoying the work.
If there are videos of your progress send me links. Good luck in all you do.
Thanks

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Cynthia Collier
10/7/2020 10:50:41 am

Yes, please take videos and share. Would love to watch your progress and learn from you.

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Kris
10/8/2020 06:31:48 pm

Any ideas as to what is next on the agenda as to making this "old lady" live again? Every time I pass an abandoned house, I always wish "the walls could talk". You've got one heck of a job on your hands girl!

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Catie Wyman Norris link
10/9/2020 10:30:47 pm

I soooo love what you are doing.... you create value where others would not. I want to buy this #$@% hole in Ojai, CA and create my dream warehouse and mfrg plant for my life giving products.....It's an acre with two run down homes, a huge warehouse/old garage type structure with an adorable lil retail shop with big Montecito type French windows that will have a cutest lil outside tables and chairs amongst the fountains, vines and earthy loveliness.... I will let you know how it goes..... thanks for awakening our dreams through yours Betsy... wishing you the best, Catie

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Maria
10/10/2020 03:13:53 am

Good luck with the renovations. You really should consider putting this project on YouTube, I'm sure many people would love to see it. Your groundhog reminds me of my moms garden and the pesky rabbits that are always eating her plants.

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Alaska Wagoner
10/13/2020 07:57:58 am

I'm with Maria! (Haha can't upvote comments here, so this will have to do!). Hope all goes well with the house this week!

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David Jerauld
10/10/2020 09:59:56 am

In the last few years, single operator saw mills have become very popular in many semi rural areas, such as Wheeling. They can be a source for very high quality but less expensive lumber. Do some Googling and you well may find a good local source of the quality lumber you need for a price you are able to pay.

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Tom
10/12/2020 04:35:21 am

I just saw you on YouTube about cheap old houses. That area looks beautiful. I actually look forward to your progress. The bones of that home are so beautiful and has so much potential. I can see why you bought it. As for the ground hog any terrier dog bread will take care of it. I would love to have that yard for my garden. My current yard is so small with to many trees. I would skip the boxes and plant grape vines, blueberry bushes. Tomatoes don’t need much just something to grow on. The amount you can grow there will give you enough to jar sauce for the winter. Chickens are also recommended. They are ease to take care of and their waste makes excellent natural fertilizer. Plus if you heard them to areas before planting they will turn your soil and eat the bugs. Good luck😊

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Jennifer Simpson
10/12/2020 07:14:05 am

I just watched the You Tube video about your purchase of an $18k old house. What a great story. I love how you can see the finished home in your mind’s eye. I decided to come check out your website so I could follow along on your project. Then I saw the words McLain House. That’s my son’s name, McLain! Spelled exactly the same. Good luck to you. I can’t wait to see your journey.

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Carlos J Guzman
10/12/2020 07:52:50 pm

I love your home. Such beautiful history.

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Jacky link
10/13/2020 09:29:15 am

I am looking forward to following along. Off to a great start!

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Max
10/13/2020 09:35:31 am

Awesome! Down the line a small greenhouse for tomatoes would be a great investment. Plenty of groundhog protection and will mean a great harvest!

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Elin Lindberg
10/13/2020 11:29:52 am

please make youtube videos :)

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Esther H. C. link
10/13/2020 11:42:49 am

What an inspiring journey! --Enjoyed your video and did wonder if more of these to show the progress of your endeavors had been uploaded? I command you for your spunk in undertaking such a laborious task.. (w/ many within the entirty of the whole project).. while I wondered if it wouldn't be even more cool, not to mention a relief, if you had many hands put into the accomplishment of the same. (I mean regular good folks from the community) -In fact, I'll send you all the positive vibes one can, so.. to that effect.. this wondrous goal you have can be met through such added support if it is an idea you think a good one..!! --I love your writings by the way; pleasant read..! A lighthearted approach with a flair of life/vitality that feels like a breath of fresh air!! --May God be with you, your loved one(s) and those to come too, in the future..!!!!! 🖼️🏡🚢🛴

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Camelia
10/13/2020 04:47:56 pm

I love this so much!! Wishing you the best of luck through your renovations! It's be so cool to be able to follow you on YouTube, do you plan on doing that?

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Victoria Myer Hrenda
10/16/2020 03:18:46 am

So excited to watch your house progress!

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Owen
10/17/2020 09:20:08 am

Hi I love what your doing. I as well have a love for old architecture no doubt its from growing up watching the many old buildings, my grandfathers brownstone, and other sites in NY. It awesome that you made history your major in school and your fulling your true passion in life, not many do. That’s truly AMAZING!!! I can’t wait to see the progress. I’m new into real estate going to buy a property to rehab and rent. I’ll be watching your progress as a resource to educate myself. Your a Rockstar go get 😁👍🏾😁👍🏾🎉

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Claire Wright
10/18/2020 02:13:56 am

Just watched the youtube video. Will be following your reno with interest from New Zealand!

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Isabella
10/21/2020 02:28:46 am

Wow I absolutely love the look of the garden. I can’t wait to see the rest of the renovation. You’re a great writer btw

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Sophia Strandberg-Henkel link
10/25/2020 05:53:21 pm

I bought a 1900 Queen Anne in Bay Area California, with my soon to be ex. I was unable to make any of my plans work, I had so many plans for my place, but alas things change, and our pretty home is for sale.

But my dream is still to buy an old home, mansion and restore it just like this. I am going to truly enjoy watching your progress. In hopes of following in your example in an appropriate place.

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david
10/30/2020 01:57:04 pm

Go on youtube pls. You are fun to watch

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Kathy McNeil
11/5/2020 07:42:12 pm

I’m a lifetime Wheeling resident. I grew up on 16th Street, in a house razed for the sports field that is there now. I believe our house was where the 10 yard line is. When I grew up in the 1950’s and 1960’s - East Wheeling was a great family neighborhood. We walked to school at Cathedral Grade and Wheeling Central, ands to friends houses all over the neighborhood. We Trick or Treated in houses and apartments. Up the street from you, on the corner, was a grocery store called “Ross’s”. We stopped there daily for penny candy. The city bus stopped in front of our house and we had access to the rest of the city. It was a wonderful family neighborhood ripped apart by Interstate 70 construction. Thank you for being on the cutting edge of rebuilding East Wheeling. I’m excited to see the progress.

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Ian
11/9/2020 01:29:32 pm

I found your video showing your house renovation, entirely by a coincidence. I was really smiling watching you. I love to see an improvement and I love the history. I believe you would change this house entirely. It seems you have a good taste and you are really talented. Besides you are really femine and good looking. I love your voice. I am not sure if it is your accent or your way of speaking. Anyway, just wanted to send greetings from Europe for cheering me up.

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julie devine
11/16/2020 09:25:15 am

beautiful home .i cannot wait to see home completed

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    Hi there,  I'm Betsy.  I'm a historian, dog-mom, yogi, and preservationist.  Join me as I navigate the field of cultural heritage, and rehabilitate my home in historic East Wheeling, WV

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