Garden tools such as rakes, shovels, pruning shears, brooms and hoes require clean and dry storage solutions to extend their useful life. Other tools and equipment such as chicken wire, garden hoses, watering cans, gloves and wheelbarrows should also be stored carefully to promote cleanliness and discourage dirt buildup and infestation. Does this Spark an idea?
Daily Storage
After cleaning and drying tools, store long-handled items by placing in a clean dry garage or garden shed either handle down or handle up. A large collection basket such as a plastic rain barrel allows for a waterproof easily accessible storage area. Or place a garden storage bench at the back of the garage or a utility tool bin on the back porch to keep all the garden tools together, Your daily storage areas must be clean and dry.
Wall Storage
There are a number of commercially available garden tool storage systems that consist of weight-bearing hooks that attach to a grid or directly to the wall of your garage. The hooks are usually movable so you can place them to meet your particular tool height requirements. The wall rack systems are available at home improvement stores. Be sure to hang tools rather than let the bases touch the ground to deter rust and debris from gathering.
Seasonal Storage
During the winter months garden tools and equipment are susceptible to rust and rot through misuse and improper storage. Clean and dry tools thoroughly, then place tool end down into a plastic bucket of clean sand. The sand prevents moisture from corrupting the metal parts of the tool and the texture of the sand keeps pointed tools sharp. Add a little oil to the sand to lubricate hinged tools.
Specialty Equipment
Lean large items such as wheel barrows against a clean dry wall in the shed or garage. Never leave outside as they can rust quickly. Make sure a wheel barrow is empty before storing. Turn so the handles and wheels face away from the wall. Use a large, specially weighted hook if the walls of the garage or shed can hold the excess weight.
Store garden hoses on specially designed reels that attach to the wall. These reels allow you to wind the hose to prevent cracks or bends in the line. Reels are relatively inexpensive, come in a number of designs and have hooks and hardware for attaching to the wall. Alternatively, if the walls of your storage unit can't the weight, choose a reel without hardware that can lie on its side on a shelf or on a dry clean area on the floor.
Cleaning
Secure the tool in a workable position and hone the blades and sharp edges using a metal file (in the case of hoes and saws) or a piece of sandpaper (for shovels and shears). Wear thick work gloves to prevent accidental cutting. Wipe away debris and filings before spraying the blades lightly with lubricating oil. For difficult tools, take them to the local home and garden store and pay for a professional sharpening. Professional sharpening is a good choice for end-of-season pre-winter storage.
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