Awhile back my dearest darling decided she wanted to plant a garden. She went and purchased a wheel barrow, a few shovels and hoes along with other various garden utensils as well as bags of potting soil and containers of all styles and sizes…and then attempted to keep it all in my garage! Absolutely not!  So I needed to do a little of shopping myself and purchase a great set of backyard garden shed plans.

 I never realized how much knowledge you needed when creating such a structure. The one thing I did not consider was the load on the roof when it snowed. Please consider this if you live in a snow belt as snow is some really heavy stuff and most shed plans come with a fairly flat roof pitch and use small spec lumber which will collapse under the load.

 Also, sheds make for excellent targets from individuals looking to steal things to sell to pawn shops and flea markets etc. so get your self a great heavy door and solid lock.

 I would also recommend that you get a set of plans for a shed that is a little larger than you think because believe me, it fills up fast and when your wife decides she no longer likes gardening you will not have any room for anything else at all!

 Next, if it gets hot where you’re located you need to ensure the unit has roof venting because it can get mighty hot in there and possibly damage some of the shed’s contents. And please, don’t try and save cash by using cheap lumber that will quickly rot. Use pressure treated wood and then seal and paint it so it last many years.

 An outdoor garden shed is nice to have and worth the investment. Just ensure if you’re going to be building it your self you receive a great set of ideas since it will save you a lot of time and cash for certain.

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Outdoor Tool & Garden Shed Ideas is a post from: Wooden Sheds

You Should Choose the Right Gardening Tool for Your Garden

If you’re thinking about taking your gardening seriously and getting out there every day to increase the attractiveness of your garden, then you will want to get the right tools to help you in this. You might be tempted to go out to the store and just buy the nearest things you see, but you’ll be much happier if you put lots of thought into the styles and types of tools you’re buying. There are styles designed just for gardening, and you’ll be better off buying those.

You can find most of the tools you will need at your local gardening or home improvement shop. Usually the employees will be simply thrilled to assist you in finding the ideal tools. If you go to a shop that specializes in gardening, you can usually get some advice in addition to service. Gardening store employees are usually an untapped wealth of wisdom, and they are how I learned almost all that I know about gardening today.

If you are having a hard time finding the right tool or if you want to save some money, you might try looking online for the supplies you need. You’ll have to pay the shipping costs and wait an extra week or two, but often if you buy more than one tool, the total savings will be worth it. You should always buy from a reputable seller, though, and search around beforehand for anything negative that people had to say about their buying experience.

As far as basic digging tools go, you might already have all you’ll need. There are several types that you should get though, for different specific tasks. A round point shovel is good for digging holes for plants. A spade is necessary for all the more intricate work. A garden fork you might not use as much, but I have one in my tool shed and I’ve been thankful for it on multiple occasions. Having these different varieties of digging tools can help you to minimize the work you have to do. For example, if you try digging a big hole with a little spade then you’ll end up rather tired. The same goes if you are attempting to do more detailed work with a big clumsy shovel.

A rake is an absolute necessity. You most likely already have one, but I’m guessing it’s a lawn rake and not a garden rake. There is definitely a difference, and if you try to use a lawn rake in a garden then you will not be happy with the results. Same if you buy a grading or a contractor’s rake. You’ll want to look for a bowhead rake. I’ve found these are the best for gardening purposes. They will provide you the maximum control and accuracy, so you don’t accidentally tear up your precious plants.

As far as hoes go, I don’t believe any gardener should have less than 3. There are so many useful varieties on the market that I have a hard time recommending just one, and that’s why I’ll tell you all the ones I usually use. The one I use the most is the onion hoe, which is very lightweight and ideal for small cultivations and weeding. The Warren hoe is a larger model, with a pointed end. If you need to make a hole or dig out a pesky weed, this is the one for you. There are several other varieties, but I recommend starting with the ones I mentioned. As you progress in your gardening savvy, you will find the need for more types.

Most people believe that gardening just consists of a simple spade. But there are many, many tools with many more variations that you will use in your gardening career. Usually you can start with just a few different tools, but you’ll always find that you can use more varieties for special situations. It’s just a matter of recognizing when one tool could be more efficient than another.

You Should Choose the Right Gardening Tool for Your Garden is a post from: Wooden Sheds

Garden Tool Shed

Avid gardeners realize the importance of having a dry safe place to store all their tools that make the work of managing a garden easier. Beginner gardeners all start out just having a few tools such as shovels, rakes or a couple hand tools. Not really a problem for storing; most people lean them alongside the house or in the garage.

Over time the amateur gardener will notice that the sun, rain and snow are all taking their toll on his gardening tools. As your gardening expertise begins to expand so does the requirement for more tools. This is where the novice figures out that it’s time for a garden tool shed.

Having a specific place just for storing your gardening tools out of the weather and easily organized all in one place is an ideal solution. Now is the time to answer some questions since you have concluded that you need a garden tool shed. Are you interested in building a kit that comes with all the materials needed and you just supply some elbow grease? Do you want to buy a complete pre-fabricated garden shed and have it delivered? Whether you make it from your designs, build a kit or purchase the complete one; are you considering wood or metal?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of wood verses metal sheds? Aesthetically a wood shed beats a metal one hands down in appearance. Lets face it wood is rugged, pleasing to the eye and blends in well with most garden settings. There are some drawbacks to wood sheds; they require protection from the sun, wind and rain and they are chewing targets for every little mouse and rat in the area. If you don’t mind painting a wood shed every couple of years with a good quality wood preservative and replacing some chewed up boards periodically then a wooden one is probably the one for you.

A metal garden tool shed will never have the natural beauty that a wood shed has but it will stand the test of time. Rodents can’t hurt it, and the worst weather conditions are not going to affect the appearance or deteriorate the structure. Storing mulch, grass seed and fertilizer is easy without little critters running around inside and it won’t have to be treated for termites. Gather your shovels, rakes, hoes and pitch forks together to see just how much space you’re going to need for your new garden tool shed.

You can learn more about wooden garden sheds, and get more information and articles at Wood Garden Shed

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Garden Tool Shed is a post from: Wooden Sheds

Garden Tool And Garage Storage Solutions For Spring Cleaning

As spring creeps upon us it’s time to consider what to do with all of the clutter we packed away as soon as it started to get cold. Many people have sheds and garages packed with things they’ll need to get out again: bicycles, garden tools, sports equipment and more. If you’re tired of going through this routine year in and year out, you need to find a storage solution that works all year round, where it’s not only easy to get all of the seasonal gear you need, but where daily and long term storage are exactly the same. While many people are content to just drive nails to hang things and be done with it, nails bend, poke you when you walk by them, don’t hold much and lead to an ugly looking storage space.

Pegboards are one of the most common garage storage solutions. A basic pegboard system is wood or treated cardboard with a series of holes. These holes hold hooks in any configuration you like, which can be used to hang your tools. Unfortunately, traditional pegboards have a number of problems. They grow, shrink and warp with as the seasons change. They can break or tear if they aren’t mounted properly, and the holes wear and rip over time. As a result, most people banish their pegboards to one corner of their garage, tool shed or workshop – hardly a solution that gets rid of the need to spring clean.

Fortunately, the pegboard concept can still work, but you need to have the right kind of pegboard. Metal pegboards don’t have the breaking and warping issues of their wood and cardboard counterparts. Like any other product, metal pegboards come in different levels of quality. One tough, high quality steel pegboard is Ironsides Storage Solutions’ Holey Rail™. The Holey Rail ™ is made of thick steel with peg holes that are extruded, not drilled. This means that the pegboard holes are molded into place, so they won’t compromise the integrity of the steel. As a result, this system can hold very heavy objects, including rakes, bicycles, large tools, bags and even plastic containers. The mounting will fail before the steel does, and if you mount it properly, that’s unlikely to happen at all. Combined with large peg hooks and reinforcing peg strappers, the Holey Rail™ serves as a permanent storage solution that’s also accessible.

A garage storage solution like this will greatly simplify your spring cleaning. There don’t need to be “summer” and “winter” storage locations for your bikes, garden tools or other seasonal equipment. You can confidently leave everything where it’s supposed to be for the long term. This steel pegboard rating is easy to mount as well, because it won’t bend between anchor points. Instead of having a small pegboard sitting just above your workbench, you can mount these across the entire inside of your garage or shed. Give steel pegboards a try. You’ll cut your cleaning down and put everything you need to enjoy the warm weather close at hand.

Garden Tool And Garage Storage Solutions For Spring Cleaning is a post from: Wooden Sheds

Sheds And Accessories For Garden Tool Storage

When using a wooden shed for garden tool storage or to store other items, there are a few concerns. Primarily keeping them safe and dry but also garden sheds can provide a workspace. Choosing the right wooden shed for your needs will ensure these criteria are met.

Choosing a Size

Wooden sheds generally range from the smallest, being around 4 x 4 feet to the largest, 14 x 10 feet and beyond for custom designs. If is purely for garden tool storage, the smallest of the range could be suitable but being able to work inside the shed will mean allowing additional space. Larger items such as bikes also mean that there needs to be enough space to store and retrieve them easily. If you also wish to work in the shed you need to allow room for the equipment and room to move.

Weather Proofing

It is essential that your garden tool storage provides complete resistance to the elements. Wooden sheds are generally made from tongue and groove panels which are treated to be weather resistant but may also have a felt covering which provides additional water proofing on the roof. Exterior wood panels are generally pre-treated with creosote or a similar protective layer but it is recommended that these panels receive annual treatment to keep the wood in top condition. Any metalwork included in the design should be galvanised to prevent corrosion. This should not need further treatment to remain weather resistant.

Security

Most sheds for garden storage will include a locking mechanism or ability to padlock the door. If you feel that the contents of your wooden shed is still potentially vulnerable one of the most useful shed accessories available is a battery powered alarm. Contacts can be fitted to doors and windows in order to trigger the alarm once armed. If triggered, the alarm will emit a 100db siren to alert you to the breech. If you are able to power an alarm from the mains, the power supply is not so much of a concern however ensuring that the alarm cannot simply be disconnected is essential. Regular testing (every month or so) of battery alarms should ensure that a battery powered alarm will alert you should anyone attempt to enter without you knowing. Security windows are elongated above eye level to prevent people from being able to see in or climb through while allowing light into the shed.

Other Accessories

As it is not always possible to get a mains power supply to a shed it is worth considering solar lighting which has a panel fitted to the roof which charges a small battery while not in use. The light is then ready to use when you need it. More robust locks can also provide an effective deterrent and certainly make it much harder to breech your shed should a thief decide to do so. Wired glass can also be used to replace existing windows to make your garden storage even more resistant to break-ins.

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Sheds And Accessories For Garden Tool Storage is a post from: Wooden Sheds