Garden Organization Tips to Get Ready for Spring

Before the busy spring planting season gets here, it can be a good idea to get your existing gardening tools and supplies organized and ready to go. Not only will you be better prepared by getting this task done early, but you'll also have a chance to buy anything that needs replaced or replenished. Plus, it can be a great way to spend a dreary late winter day, allowing you to dream about the warmer days of spring to come. If getting your gardening supplies organized is on your list of things to get done, here are some tips that can make the job a bit easier.

Sort and Itemize

Sometimes by the end of autumn, it's tempting to just toss all the gardening supplies in the garage or gardening shed and forget about them until spring. If this is the case with your gardening supplies, chances are things are currently a jumbled mess. Before you can get organized, it's necessary to sort and itemize everything you already have. If you find any empty boxes or bags, toss them out. You should also discard anything that is too old, such as seeds from several years ago if they have not been stored properly. In the future, be sure to store leftover seed in an airtight container in a cool area of your home, so that they will last longer. Untangled any garden hoses, and sort out your pots by size and shape, nesting them so that they take up less space. If you find any gardening supplies that are still good but that you simply do not use, donate them to somebody else. Once you have everything sorted out, you're ready to start organizing things.

Keep Constantly Used Items Handy

There are always a few tools or supplies that you seem to use constantly. Make things easy on yourself by storing these items in an especially convenient location. For example, if you have a favorite shovel, don't bury it in the tool rack. If you use your plant food every time you plant some new seedlings, keep it in the front of the cabinet. This will make your gardening efforts easier and less stressful.

Store Large or Heavy Items Safely

Some gardening supplies and equipment can be quite large, heavy or even sharp. In the case of equipment such as shears, lawn mowers or trimmers, make sure to store them in a safe location. Heavy items should be stored on the floor, so that you do not have to lift them off of a shelf over your head. Keep sharp blades pointed downward, and keep the rake tines turned towards the wall. Hooks and racks can be attached to the garage or garden shed wall, giving you a great place to safely store many gardening tools. While you are sorting your tools, check to make sure they were clean when you put them away. If they were wet or dirty, they could have rusted over the winter. Clean, lubricate or sharpen your tools if necessary. Once everything has been cleaned, sorted and organized, you'll be ready for the spring gardening season to arrive.