The weather has been amazing this week so I've been spending as much time outside as possible.
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| I've even managed to dry some washing on the line! |
My workshop and carpentry tools are pretty well organised. I know where everything is in my workshop, other than a pencil or tape measure which I can never find when I put them down! Everything has it's place and has somewhere to go where it's protected from damage. In this way I can also see if something is missing.
Cut to the garden and it's a different story. My garden tools haven't exactly been looked after over the years. When the weeds are running wild its hard to even find where I've left them at times! Although it pains me to admit that...
So this year I thought I'd get a bit more organised. Trouble is shed space is a bit limited at the moment so no room inside.
But I did think it might look quite cool if I hung them on the outside. Not as much protection as if they were inside, but the overhang from the roof will shelter them from the rain. Also it keeps them organised and it's easy to see if any are missing.
There's even space for the kids tool under mine and there's plenty of room for expansion as the kids get bigger and need bigger tools.
Here I have shovels, spades, forks and rakes (hoes to be added yet) The kids spades are pretty cool, they're ones that ground workers use when digging trenches, anything more "childlike" and my children just break them, they're pretty good at digging when the mood takes them!
The other side of the door houses my large rake, which I use with bit of hose pipe on the end to mark lines on my beds, also a sieve and a peasants hoe, which is great for breaking new ground.
One thing I was worried about was the forks getting pushed off the hooks. I remember being and school and the tools being stored in the outside toilet, some lads were playing around and one fell off and went straight through a boys foot.
So for the forks I made a simple toggle out of a spare ratchet strap. Should be easy to put on and off by hand but won't be knocked off accidentally.
Hopefully this will keep me a little more organised this growing season.
How do you store your garden tools?
we have a new metal shed coming to set it all up. off to see a garden tractor tomorrow. its old but we will see if it works! what I have though and I had to put it in my car is a large deep bucket with sand nearly to the top and mixed in a lot of plain cooking oil. cheapest I can find. And after each use I stab the spade or fork, shears what ever into the sand and oil. Seems to keep them in good order my gran used to do this in the home garden at the farm. It made a quick job of cleaning them. less rust.
ReplyDeleteI tend to lean towards the stainless steel tools if I'm buying any now but I have heard of that lol sand box idea before. Never done it though and I'm sure some of mine would benefit from it. Look forward to seeing your garden tractor, hope it's easier to start than mine! I swear mine nearly broke my arm one time!
DeleteI'm guilty of just throwing tools in a pile, or worse yet just out in the yard :/
ReplyDeleteBig surprise I can't find anything, ever.
Same here with garden tools. Not sure how long I'll keep this up but I do walk past the shed on the way to the house so I'm hopeful I'll bring them back!
DeleteLooks very good, no shed for us but stored in our greenhouse so weatherproofed.I have a border fork and spade, nice stainless ones so not heavy but do the job very well.
ReplyDeleteI used to keep some tools in the greenhouse, but then in the middle of summer it would just be so full and I was always worried about the kids going in there to grab something and smashing the glass. If I get my polytunnel this year I'll be less worried about my undercover growing space breaking round the kids, might even put a sofa in there for lazy spring days!
DeleteI have a dustbin in the corner of my shed and I put all my spades, forks and long handled tools, it works for me and keeps them tidy. Lots of my tools belonged to my mum, so I need to ensure they are safe.
ReplyDeleteMy mum has a serious amount of gardening tools as she collects them and has some just for display purposes only! But I have none with sentimental attachments yet so probably one reason why I'm so bad with them. I like my new spade which has a lot longer handle than the other ones, makes it easier to stay upright.
DeleteOn the inside of our garage wall, on large slide on hooks.
ReplyDeleteI'd much prefer these to be inside. This year I'd love to apply for planning permission to change my tin shacks into a useable garage.
DeleteOrganized chaos with me. Mainly keep them in an old grass box off a ride on mower in my tunnel and in a shed. I often find my tools, especially secateurs lying around the gardens and plot or in the tunnel. Do you not have any long handled shovels or pikes? Yours all look the t shaped shot handled variety. Its the Celtic long handled variety in Ireland. I use either and especially the Azada hoe.
ReplyDeleteI have many other tools, I have a long handled spade somewhere but never got on with it and I have a muck fork but it's too sharp to keep on the wall here. I'm terrible with secateurs as well, And balls of string!
DeleteWe have a summer house built on a high plinth with three steps leading up to the veranda and door. When the joiner made it he set it up higher so that I would be sitting within the trees, great for bird watching. So there is a natural gap under the summer house and I keep my tools there, it is very dry and they are safe from theft and small children. Small hand tools I keep in a large dustbin with kindling and other bits. I do like your idea of hanging them though and I am sure you will find it so handy that you will put the tools back after use. Love Andie xxx
ReplyDeleteThat sounds amazing! These aren't safe from theft but if they've stole these it means they've left everything else alone I guess.
DeleteKev, that's brilliant! Dan just has nails to hang the garden tools on. It pretty much works, but I like your idea better.
ReplyDeleteI used to use nails, these tool hooks are so cheap though it hardly seems worth saving the money.
DeleteIt looks great Kev! but might I suggest turning your forks around to hang?- with tines pointing in. Less chance of accidentally being knocked off and safer. If you worry about dulling the tines on the shed, put a strip of rubber sheeting on the shed or a length of pool noodle? No harm, no foul, just an idea.
ReplyDeleteLove reading your blog!