Regardless of whether you’re starting or finishing your gardening season, organizing and storing garden tools may seem like a chore.
However, getting your garden tools organized and stored may be simpler than you imagine with some ingenious strategies. Whether you have a spacious garage or a small shed, there are solutions available to meet your needs.
Let’s see all the smart ways you can organize garden tools to ensure that everything you need is easily accessible.
Cleaning and maintenance
Before you start organizing and storing your garden tools, it’s really important to ensure that they are clean and well-maintained. This step goes beyond simply keeping your tools looking nice; it’s about maintaining their functionality and prolonging their lifespan.
To clean most of your garden and yard tools, you can use warm water and a wire brush.
The warm water will loosen any dirt and grime stuck to your tools and you won’t have trouble removing them with a brush. For stubborn dirt, you can use some elbow grease and your wire brush. A wire brush can be especially handy for tools with rust and dried soil. After everything has been scrubbed and cleaned, leave the tools to air dry.
Once your tools are dry, take a moment to examine each one. Check for any signs of wear and tear, like cracks in wooden handles or dullness in metal components.
The blades of tools like shears, pruners, shovels, and so on, should be sharpened. So use a sharpening stone to keep their blades nice and sharp.
For tools that have moving parts, like secateurs or garden loppers, apply a drop of oil to the joints. This will ensure they operate smoothly and help prevent rust.
Make the most of vertical space for storage
Making the most of vertical space can significantly enhance your garden tool organization. Many of us tend to overlook the storage potential offered by walls and doors.
You can use pegboards, a slatwall, hooks, shelving, and other vertical space options. The adaptability of pegboards allows you to customize your storage, to add or remove hooks and bins to accommodate tools of all sizes.
Slatwall is sturdier than pegboard. This allows you to store heavier items such as shovels, rakes, etc.
You can also install hooks on the walls to hang larger tools, hoses, and extension cords. Simply choose heavy-duty hooks that can withstand the weight of the tools.
The last option that can help you maximize the vertical space is shelved. The shelves can go pretty high up, and on them, you can store bulky equipment or seasonal things that you don’t reach for often. Storing items up high frees up valuable floor space, allowing more room for other gardening activities and additional tool storage.
Creative ways to store your garden tools
When it comes to ways to store your garden tools, you have to be creative and think outside the box. Let’s see how you can neatly store and organize your garden tools and equipment.
PVC pipes or concrete-forming tubes
With just a bit of creativity, you can come up with great storage solutions for long-handed tools such as shovels and rakes. For instance, you can use PVC pipes, cut a wide notch in them, and screw them to the wall. Pipes mounted like this can hold your tools upright and organized nicely.
In the same manner, you can make the most of concrete-forming tubes. Simply, mount them on the way and use them to store different types of tools.
Wooden pallet
Similarly, if you have some wooden pallets lying around, don’t throw them away because you can transform them into garden tool storage.
Cut the pallet to size, mount it on the wall, and organize your shovels, rakes, and other tools however you want. This rustic approach is not only functional but also adds a unique touch to your garden space.
Deck box
The deck box is meant to store cushions, patio furniture, pool toys, and accessories, but also your garden tools. A deck box is an excellent choice for storing larger items like watering cans, bags of soil, and gardening boots.
Built to endure outdoor conditions, these boxes are perfect for outdoor storage and can also serve as seating, offering a practical and space-saving solution.
Toolboxes or bags
Smaller garden tools such as hand shovels, rakes, pruners, gloves, and so on can be stored in toolboxes or bags. The best part about this storage solution is that it’s portable. This means that you can easily transport all your small garden tools from one side of the garden to another. Additionally, many deck boxes feature compartments and pockets, making it simple to keep everything neatly organized.
Garden tools organization strategies
Think of garden tool organization as a puzzle. Every item has its own spot, and when everything falls into place, the bigger picture comes together beautifully. Let’s dive into some effective strategies that ensure success.
Heavy items should go lower
To keep things safe, the best would be to keep your heavy tools and items lower. They will not only be easier to grab but you will also reduce the chances of accidents this way.
Make groups of similar tools
The easiest way to start the tool organization process is by grouping similar items. This helps you quickly locate what you need when you need it. For instance, store all your cutting tools together in one area and your digging tools in another.
Use bins and storage containers
Bins and containers can be easily stacked on top of each other or placed underneath workbenches to save space. So, make sure you make the most of them by storing small and miscellaneous items that don’t hang well.
Use labels
Labels are a great organizational tool, helping you keep track of where everything belongs and making it easier for others to tidy up correctly. You can opt for basic sticker labels or go for a more creative approach.
Bottom Line
By applying these strategies, you can keep your garden tools stored and well-organized, making your gardening tasks more efficient and enjoyable.
