Organize Your Garden Stuff

Photo by Salomé

For most of us it's still to early to get out in the garden but there's still somethings you can do to get ready for the growing season.

Put a shelf in your garden shed, or in your garage for only garden related books. This way, when you need to look something up, you can easily find it.

 Paint your smaller hand tools with a bright orange, yellow, or red rustoleum paint. This will make them easy to see when you set them down in the grass or among your flowers.

 If you live in a rural area you might be able to find an old 'one holer' that is not in use anymore, this would make a great potting shed.

 Store your seed packets in empty rectangular diaper wipe boxes. Another method of storing your seed packets is to fill a binder with photo or sports card plastic see-through pages. These work well for the smaller seeds.

 Fill a bucket about half full of sand, pour a quart of motor oil in it. After you've washed your tools run the blades into the sand. This will allow the oil to coat the blades of your tools and keep them from rusting. Wipe off the oil before using your tools.

 Store your long handled tools such as your hoes, rakes, and even the ax in an old milk can. The can will hold a dozen or so tools upright.

 Another method to store your long handled tools is to stack cinderblocks on their sides and then insert the tools into the holes. The cinderblocks are heavy enough they won't fall over.

 When not in use store your empty pots inside each other. This will save space and keep them from blowing around.

 An old dresser from a yard sale or someone's discard pile can be used for a potting bench. You can store your smaller hand tools in the drawers.

 Attach an old matchstick holder to the side of your potting bench. This can hold the plastic ID tags for your plants.