Well, I hate to admit it, but summer is over here in Illinois. The temperatures are dropping and we're expriencing a lot of rain. It is now time to prepare for the colder months and close up our summer items.
If you are like my friends, you have a shed or storage area that holds all of your summer ites: mower, pots, dirt, gardening equipment and so on. The best time of year to get this area under control is right now!
Remove all items from your shed and give it a good cleaning
Empty out your shed and either use a hose and a good brush or a low-powered pressure washer to clean out the debris, cob webs, etc. that has accumulated in your shed.
Review your gardening tools and replace where appropriate
While your shed is drying out, look through all of your gardening tools and replace any items that are broken or no longer operating correctly. Fall is a great time to replace your gardening tools because most lawn and garden stores hold awesome sales.
Review gardening chemicals and discard where appropriate
Lawn and garden fertilizers and weed killers only last for so long. I'd love to give you a difinitive answer on how long they last, but it depends on the brand you purchase. Many organic products will go moldy over the winter. Other non-organic products can last anywhere from 6 months to 3 years and still be viable for your yard. Check the manufacturer website for the longevity of the product. If yours has expired, discard according to your community's disposal rules. Don't buy now. Make a quick shopping list and post it in your shed.
Increase your space by installing shelving or other wall storage
Clutter can accumulate when you own a shed. Shelves are ideal for shed organization. Consider pre built shelving that is stand-alone, or install shelving with kits. You van find a wide selection of shelving options by visiting any Menards, Lowes or Home Depot. Don't have one in your area? Check out their sites online.
By adding shelving to your shed, you can get things up off the floor, giving you more room to move around inside your shed safely. Using the vertical space will allow you to store a lot more in the space as well.
Don't want to have shelves sticking out? You still have options! Check out the great wall organizers for tools available here.
Place like items together
After installing your shed shelves, organize like items together. How you define "like" can vary. Here are some possibilities:
- Group by type of gardening - flower garden, vegetable garden, lawn care, etc.
- Group by type of tool - pots, tools, chemicals, potting soil, etc.
By storing like items together on shelving, you save time and money; you reduce stress and clutter as well as now have the ability to find what you want in the shed when planting season comes around.
Share your tips and thoughts!
What do you do to keep your lawn and garden items in tip-top shape? Do you have a shed? What do you do to keep it clean and organized?
To your success!
