Farm Horizons
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Oct. 10, 2016
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Page 20
Photo by Jennifer Von Ohlen
Having known they wanted their formal garden to have a pergola, the Youngs planted vines in their yard early so they would
be ready for display once the pergola was added.
from which the Youngs were able to make 30 gallons
of wine last year. “It tasted so good, we drank it,” Brad
stated. “It was gone by Easter.”
On the southern end of the property is a decorative
vegetable garden, designed so that each row of produce
is a layer of a circle that starts at the center and expands
like a ripple to give it a frame. Near the garden is the
path of an overflow, which the Youngs garlanded with
pumpkin vines.
When choosing which plants to add to their garden,
selections are often solely based on how they will look.
The vegetable garden is located where pigs were once
kept, before the Youngs moved in, making the ground
quite fertile and the produce quite big.
Partying in the barn
Perhaps the project Brad is most excited to complete
is to finish remodeling the 50-year-old dairy barn and
granary so they can host more parties.
Two Halloween parties have already taken place in
the barn, but Brad has more visions in mind before it is
completed.
One of his ideas involves the barn’s previous roof,
which the Youngs replaced after receiving hail damage.
As the roofers were working, Brad asked if he could
keep the large metal sheets that were to be discarded.
He plans to use the sheets to cover the installation he’s
placing inside the loft, using them like wallpaper. He is
hoping to one day host a Christmas party there.
The Youngs have already collected several tables and
chairs for the space, and also set up a bar area.
“I’m a party guy,” Brad stated. During the remodeling, the Youngs installed a speaker system throughout
the barn that can be turned on with the flip of a light
switch.
When remembering their previous Halloween parties,
the Youngs said they used the speakers to get the barn
vibrating with scary sounds and festive tunes, such as
the “Monster Mash.”
One year, the guests arrived dressed like characters
from the ghoulish song and put on a performance, with
Brad playing the guitar.
“It was so much fun,” he said.
Moving back to ground level, the dairy stalls were removed and the area was spray washed before