If you’re a gardener and your growing space is limited, you know how frustrating it can be to store all of your tools and supplies. And with some of the more unusual gardening tools on the market, it can be downright impossible. But there’s hope! Here are five garden shed ideas for small home gardens that will help you take control of your unwieldy storage situation.
1. Think about what you want to store in your shed
Before you start buying anything, think about what you want to store in your shed. Will it be gardening equipment, tools, or other household items? Knowing what to put in your shed will help you narrow down your storage needs.
Whatever is in your shed, you’re going to want to keep it away from pets. Do not spray pesticides or fertilizer directly into your gardening space. Using a spray bottle can be messy and not very appealing. Instead, invest in a fish tank-style container or a plastic trampoline to keep your dirty tools out of your kids’ reach. The cotton balls that adults use for cleaning and dusting can also be placed in any container that you choose.
With small gardening spaces, it can sometimes be hard to provide your plants with enough light. You may need a light kit, but the most important part of any small garden shed is your power inverter. With the right setup, you can power your lights from your shed. It will arrive nearly empty, not needing the large batteries to power even the lowest wattage bulbs.
Always keep a freshwater fish tank or water system stocked with freshwater and saltwater fish. Snail tanks provide ideal tanks for freshwater tanks and easy-care saltwater tanks can be maintained by the average person.
If you are planning to buy a garden shed, there are two things to keep in mind. First, how convenient is it for you to have your garden tools all in one place? If you have a garage, a large storage shed located inside or out works best. Second, if you have more space for your garden or a lot of plants, you may be better served investing in a smaller, more affordable shed. Smaller sheds can contain less equipment and cost significantly less than a larger one.
2. Use vertical space to maximize the space in your small garden shed
The key to maximizing space in a small garden shed is to use vertical space. You can do this by hanging items from the ceiling. You can use hooks to attach items to the ceiling. Avoid using nails, as they can become a tripping hazard. Another way to use vertical space is to install a large shelf on an interior wall.
Hanging baskets are clever and versatile for small-space garden storage. You can hang up lettuce seeds or other seasonal greens. Or you can put dry goods in the baskets, including herbs, spices, seeds, and bulbs. Attaching hooks eliminates the tripping hazard in this case. A frame makes it easy to hang larger items.
A common area rug can be a big help when it comes to small home gardens. This rug can easily be hung from the ceiling and configured into easy-to-clean storage containers. You can use the rug as a support for plants, herbs, or any other containers you put inside. This rug is also easy to wash and reuse.
An old milk carton works as a great container for herbs, cilantro, and other greens. These plants love water, so plan to water often when you use the milk carton. Putting plants on the surface of the carton allows light to reach the leaves and allows air to circulate.
Dry goods such as herbs, dried fruits, and spices can be stored in any shop. Just make sure the items are purely dried, and don’t include oil, wax, sanitizer, or wood chips.
An old plastic closet door can be hung to create a small storage area in a space that barely fits a bed. Just be sure the door seats flat and is not caved in. Dry goods and plants can be stored inside, too.
The Steel Buildings that go beneath the garden planter and over the water pump make great lids for your seeds and sensory! Many energy efficient heat pump plans allow you to dry your seeds or herbs in the planter at home.
3. Organize your tools, water hoses, and other supplies for easy access
Organization is key, especially when you’re working with a team. If your team has a lot of tools, water hoses, or other equipment, store them and label them in a way that makes some sense. For example, if you have two types of shovels, label them “shovels” and keep them in one place.
And if you have a lot of plants and garden supplies, label your trays and buckets by category, then sort the larger items based on price and condition. This’ll make it much easier for anyone on your team to find the right supplies at the right price.
A flower bed is one of the best spaces to fill with plants in a small space, but sometimes it’s hard to determine which plants will do best. One of the easiest ways to determine which plants will do well is to scroll through your garden supply kits. A lot of these kits give you a list of similar plants, often paired with color diagrams.
You can also use your favorite herb or spice books to identify and research which plants will add the most flavor to your food. Once you’ve discovered a plant or two that you think will grow really well in your garden, preparation should be a breeze.
This simple structure will also help to organize your plant and food storage. Choose an area of your home that’s big enough to devote at least a small kitchenette. Make sure the shelves you choose can hold up to a couple of gardens worth of produce. And I like to use a homemade terra cotta pot that holes are punched all the way through. This way, I can store three to four harvest containers underneath each basket. Once we find the right pots we enjoy having three to four pots full of food at all times.
If you already have some permanent storage around the house, this might be the perfect place for hanging valuables and small souvenirs you want to touch or view from afar.
Also read: “Top 5 tips for the renovation of a neglected garden bench“
4. Don’t forget the accessories! You might need some extra shelving or storage containers
And when we say storage, we’re not just talking about the storage in your office. You’re probably going to need some storage containers for your home too. When your work life is running smoothly, the last thing you want to worry about is where to put your extra pens and folders.
Depending on the specific item, you may need different sizes. Since a hammer might take up a lot of space for a medium sized garden shed, a small one might be required. Another factor is if you’re going to be storing the item outdoors or if you really want to keep it hygienic. To help you decide, you can check out this list of how big an item should be. You can also look up how many cubic inches it takes up, which will tell you how many cubic inches you can get per cubic foot.
A stainless steel Dutch oven called a “krisboxen” can be quite pricey when you get that big. But it’s a useful tool if you want to do some spur of the moment cooking on a chilly morning or bake a loaf of bread for your new neighbors. You can get them used for free online or from thrift stores and bakery supply stores.
Our most basic option, but for beginning gardeners, the Accessory Box is worth having. We recommend a 12- to 18-month supply for a single gardener. Using your existing tools can save money in the long run and avoid owning something new.
We have a full article on how to build DIY tools or you can check out our show on DIY Basics. This shed will help you store seeds or start small plants indoors during the summer. Although you can find plans, it gets so complicated that it’s better to purchase the actual plan of a smaller or larger planter to fit your storage needs.
At The Home Depot, you can get one of the following options for 38 and 46-inch T5 planters.
5. Make sure you have enough ventilation and light in your shed to keep things dry and pest-free
One of the most common problems new gardeners face is keeping their garden dry and pest-free. You can keep your garden dry by ensuring that there is enough ventilation and light. You should also make sure that the space is well-ventilated so that the air can flow freely in and out of the shed.
Every gardener knows the importance of choosing the right container for their garden. Sometimes the best garden containers are those that are really cheap, or you might have to spend a little extra for a higher-quality product. You don’t want to spend hours searching for the right garden container, though, are you?
If you live with a roommate and can’t find a good-looking container you can trust, then consider baking. Baking containers are super versatile, and they can either be recycled after your garden is done, or composted the next time you have a yard cleanup. You can even purchase “baking” containers, which are like outdoor containers, and naturally they hold water and keep pests out.
Check out these nine ideas for the best-looking and easiest-to-use container you can find:
Shelters that store food and gardening supplies are convenient and can help you save space in your home. Using them takes a little extra planning, and they do save a great deal of money in storage space. Look for a style with a safe-lock feature and drainage in mind, and keep your tools as organized as possible. Place all your tools and supplies in drawers or drawers with hooks and shelves, or select a space-saving option like a pegboard.
Garden supplies are easy to clean up. Look for containers or shelves that have tight-fitting lids so you can fit all of your fresh produce in without a spill or a mess. If you have a large backyard, consider upgrading to storage containers with shelves that allow you to hold a lot of food at a time.
