If you throw your garden tools outside against a fence or wall, they won’t last longer than a couple of seasons. The following tips might help you to take care of your tools and use them for years to come.
Gardening tools of all types should be stored in a cool, dry place. As we all know, moisture is the worse enemy for your tools. It’s the main cause of rust and rot on your tools but the sun can also cause handles to warp and crack.
Outdoor power equipment is also quite sensitive to the elements and should never be left exposed to the sun or rain. Plastic cables an rubber grommets can break down under the sun and exposed metal and sensitive engine parts can make it difficult to start.
How to clean and care for your tools
Storing tools in the garageGarages store more than our cars, and for some have become de facto workshops and closets that stockpile everything that is unfit to keep inside the house. Gardening equipment and tools fall into this category, but you need a proper way to store them so they don’t get damaged or cause a tripping hazard.
You can easily make use of whatever wall space you have to keep your tools of the ground. Most gardening tools have a hole in the end of the handle so it can be slipped over a nail in a stud. If there’s no hole, just drill one.
You can also buy clips and brackets that are designed to keep tools secured against a wall. Install a garden tool hanger to store multiple tools on each hook. If you wish to slowly expand, you can install hooks yourself and expand as your amount of tools increase.
No space? Try a shed
A shed is a good way of storing all your gardening tools in one place. Rakes and shovels stored in your garage can get bumped, fall on your car or yourself. When these are safely stored in a shed, they are out of the way but still easily accessible.
If you’re not sure how to build one, there are hundreds of DIY plans for sheds available online. Youtube is also a popular resource for shed builds.
You can also purchase shed kits in wood, steel, or plastic that can be assembled in a weekend. These are available in a variety of sizes and price points.
Once you’ve got your shed built, use the same hanging tool method to keep your tools high and dry. Make sure you place your shed in an area that won’t get flooded and consider placing it on a raised platform.
