Reclaiming the Greenhouse #2: Small Progress and Smelly Floors

This post is part of my Reclaiming series here at Bloom & Feather, where I slowly work toward turning our duck greenhouse back into a space that works for both the ducks and the plants.

I’m taking this project one small step at a time — improving systems, cleaning up the space, and figuring out what actually works along the way.

Here’s where things currently stand.

Small steps, one egg at a time.
🌿 Completed
🪶 In progress
🥚 Planned

🌿 Nesting & bedding system
🌿 Feeding & watering setup

🥚 New easy-clean flooring
🥚 Adding plant shelves
🥚 Rainwater collection system

Technically, I haven’t done much from my list yet.

On one rare non-raining day, I was able to get in there and begin the less glamorous part of the project — cleaning up the floor. I raked, shoveled, and removed a lot of the path gravel flooring that I had allowed the ducks to use as their personal bathroom. The upside is that this messy material actually makes amazing compost for my raised beds, so none of it went to waste.

Just doing that made the greenhouse smell dramatically better.

After that, I didn’t want the ducks to immediately undo the progress, so I used an old baby gate to contain them at night instead of letting them roam the entire space. I also ordered a set of nesting boxes that I think will be an even bigger improvement, but while I wait for them to arrive the baby gate solution has been working surprisingly well.

An unexpected benefit?
Egg collection has become much easier.

I also ordered new food and water bowls that will hang inside the new nesting boxes once they arrive.

Because I’m trying to stay budget-minded, that will probably be the extent of what I purchase this month. I have a few ideas for new flooring and changes to the pond, but those decisions will depend on how the nesting boxes fit into the space once they arrive.

I know my method of doing a little, waiting, and then doing a little more would probably drive some people crazy. But small, manageable chunks work better for me. It keeps the project from feeling overwhelming and gives me time to adjust my plans as I go.

And honestly, that flexibility is part of what makes this process enjoyable.

If you’re working on reclaiming a space of your own — a garden, a shed, or even just a small corner of your home — I’d love to hear what small progress you’ve made lately.