Organizing Your Garden Shed

 guest writer  No Responses »
Nov 122010
 
Guest writer:  Susan M Adams

The worst thing about gardening in my opinion is not my weedy garden, or a bed that needs replanting, but rather the fear I have about entering my cluttered dingy garden shed. What makes it worse is the last minute fall pile-in of tools, pots, extra bags of dirt, muddy hoses, etc. If a well ordered garden shed is conducive to efficient weeding, then I have to admit to less than perfect gardening efficiency.

For me, the thought of trying to find a dry pair of gloves and a rusty pair of clippers is enough to make me stay in and watch re-runs of Ellen all day. The only solution to my perpetual horticultural procrastination due to garden implement disorganization, is quite simply a garden shed organization.

But how do you go about organizing your gardening stuff? Well, it may be hard to do, but the first thing you need to do to get things orderly and organized is to totally unpack your shed. Take out the rolls of wire would only be useful for fencing in a horse and a few cows (unless you have livestock, then it’s alright), remove the 12 cans of designer stain that have long ago separated because you left them in the shed all winter and they froze. Throw out everything that can’t be used, give away anything that you haven’t used in a year.

Now that you have gotten everything out of the shed, it’s time for a thorough cleaning. Maybe even a fresh coat of paint on the inside will brighten things up and keep the spiders from weaving webs in every eave and corner. You can also use this time that your tools are out to fix up any problems, tighten the wheels on your lawnmower, and oil up any gears and hinges.

Before putting items back into your shed take the time to add shelves and or hooks. Although an assortment of three inch nails hung your father’s gardening tools, times have changed. In my opinion, those nails are an invitation for spiders to create string art in your shed. Go to your local hardware store and purchase some proper hooks. The hooks are inexpensive and sturdy and plastic coated. Proper hooks and shelving are a worthwhile investment.

Now you can put everything back into a better organized shiny clean garden shed. Knowing that everything has a place, and that you’ve gotten rid of the stock pile of broken tools and cracked pots, will make gardening such a easy chore now. Although it might seem like a lot of work to reorganize and fix everything up, it will be well worth it in the end.

About the Author:
check out garden sheds to read more about garden shed ideas.
Posted by Denise at 9:38 am  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , ,

What To Do With a Run Down Garden Shed

 guest writer  No Responses »
Nov 102010
 
Guest writer: John A Moore

Over time garden sheds need repair. I would say that a decent garden shed only has 12-16 years before it is in need of replacement or a good over-haul. The exception to this rule are perhaps garden sheds that were originally built like residential structures and treated the same over the years.

Many factors are involved in deciding whether to fix or replace your old garden shed, including your budget, how much you like your current shed (in good shape that is), whether it suits your purposes, and whether it suits your house style.

I was faced with this very question twice this past summer. My own garden shed was a crooked disaster and my mothers much larger garden shed leaked like a sieve. With my mothers shed the answer was simple. She had a very large shed with a loft. The walls seemed straight enough. It would be too much work and expense to tear it down and rebuild. Furthermore, it would have been a lot of work and it was too pretty to replace. We decided to tear off the roof and tear out the flooring over the joists and replace both. The total repair cost was $550.00

Our shed was a different story. Our shed was hidden around the side of our house and really out of view of the house or the back deck. It was approximately 3 feet by 8 feet and about 6 feet tall. Like my mother’s shed it had board and batten siding made out of wide planks. We knew both the roof and floor including the joists and sills were rotten. We thought we had a complete rebuild on our hands.

Our first step was to price out the cost of a building a replacement. We made a list of all of the material we would need and it came to $550 plus 13% tax. One of us a remembered seeing a really cute shed at 50% off in the same price range. We figured we might as well save the time and buy new if that was at all a possibility. After a bit of searching we learned that we could get a smaller ugly resin shed for $650 plus tax. The idea of buying new was shelved.

After thinking for a bit more, we decided that perhaps with a bit of extra work, we could save money and also save the old character, by recycling the siding, and building the structure new. As it turns out, this was quite a bit of work, but we saved over 50% on the original material estimate, and we ended up with a brand new old shed, which won’t start sagging for many more years. We are both quite pleased with the final look, especially saving the old aged board and batten siding.

In both cases we were dealing with homes that were over a century old and we felt that the sheds really needed to match the older aesthetic of the houses. In both cases we decided to keep the wood that was salvageable and rebuild the roof, floor, and in our case, the frame. We ended up with 2 very pretty sheds and I think we managed to keep both budgets as low as possible. There are many factors to consider when faced with a garden shed in need of repairs. Do your homework and figure out various budgets. The right answer for your garden shed will become evident.

About the Author:
Look for more interesting ideas about garden sheds at this garden shed website, where you’ll find lots of great information on backyard storage sheds.
Posted by Denise at 4:44 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , , ,

Plan your new Patio Design this Winter

 backyard design  No Responses »
Nov 082010
 

It is soon to be winter and most patios around the country will be sitting unused for a month to five months. So this will be the perfect time to be thinking about any patio improvements you might want to make for next year.

Upgrading or expanding your patio is not something you do on a whim. Take your time and look through magazines, online sites, and other resources to decide what improvements you want to make. I like to take a drive around my area and see what ideas others have used in their patio design, then add my own creative touches.

You may find ideas in your research to expand your patio and make it look better than a slab of concrete. By softening the edges and changing the shape you can create a new look to concrete. Change the landscaping around the patio to add layers, new color or blend the home and yard together.  By finishing the cement with texture, color and added stone you can have a unique inviting look that will match you landscape.

Slate is a great way to modernize a patio. A slate patio can be a beautiful choice. Just make sure the pieces are put together in the right way. Slate will add a look of elegance and style to your patio and come in a wide variety colors, sizes and textures. Slate is one of the more expensive choices in patio flooring, but if you plan on using your patio often for entertaining, it could be one of your best options.

And something as simple as changing patio furniture or adding shutters, a trellis or porch boxes can create a new atmosphere. You may also want to link the adjoining room in the house to the patio with color or a rug. This creates a flow from indoors to outdoors and the feel of more space.

Adding lighting to your patio will add that finishing touch, and create a relaxing atmosphere. There are many different lights and styles to choose from.

Benefits of patio lighting are the added safety, making it easier to walk around and illuminating steps and other objects in the yard. Lighting will extend the time that you spend on the patio. And by linking lighting from the patio into your landscape or walkways, you will again extend the feel of the patio to include your backyard.

And if you live in a town, you may want to add a screen, trellis, or fencing for added privacy. Tall plants such as potted bamboo or tropical plants can also create a living wall for privacy.

So take the time this winter while things are slow, to come up with ideas for your patio, and you’ll be ready to give new life to your patio area when spring begins. My patio has needed redone for years and I have already started new plans and designs.

Posted by Denise at 9:30 pm  Tagged with: , , , ,

Quick Fall tips for a fresh new Outdoor Look

 backyard design  1 Response »
Nov 072010
 

In the fall after the plants die back and the leaves fall off the trees you often have a week or two to do those jobs you have put off or overlooked during the summer rush.

These odd jobs often only take a few hours and the difference they will make in your home are amazing. You may have to schedule a few around the weather if you live in a more unpredictable area like I do, but the effort will make a big difference in the curb appeal of your home and in any spring chores you may have.

Simply repainting the trim of your home, the doors or the shutters, will give the home a fresh look.

You can make your home more inviting by simply adding a walkway outside your house. If you already have a straight concrete walkway, smarten up it up a bit. Prepare a little garden bed edging along each side for next year. That way you will have a garden bed ready for the spring and a fresh manicured look. In the fall there are many shredded tree beddings available. Place solar walkway lights on each side or the walk.

If you do not have a walkway and want to create one, wood chips and stone make a fast and easy pathway. Winding paths have a more relaxing and inviting look, so if possible create a wandering look to your door.

Yard ornaments add to any yard and they do not have to be complicated. A birdhouse or feeder will add interest to any landscape. An outdoor lantern light mounted on a pole will add light and cast inviting shadows, and a beautiful array of fall flowers that withstand cold temperatures will add color to the home. A simple lawn ornament or garden art will make your home stand out from that of your neighbors.

Its not too late to add flowers, plants, and bushes to your backyard design. Fall flowers will add the final color in your yard. Perennials will create texture and color throughout the year, depending on your selection and bushes will have the opportunity to settle in, rest and then develop roots in the cool months of spring. With shrubs remember to water them until the growing season in over. And protect them against harsh winds their first year.

Depending on your climate you may be putting away your outdoor furniture or replacing it with hardier furniture made of metal or weather resistant materials. New lighting or lanterns will perk up a porch or patio in the cool winter weather. You may also want to consider a new garden statue for the porch or wreath for a wall or door.

With many of the plants in a dormant stage these small changes will brighten your home.

Most of these tips will only take a few hours of half a day. And this week I will be adding shrub, redecorating the porchs and adding a walkway to my home and garden areas.

Posted by Denise at 7:38 pm  Tagged with: , , , ,

Recreate your Backyard with Garden Accessories

 backyard design  No Responses »
Nov 052010
 

Another step to recreating your backyard landscape is accessories. Home and garden areas benefit from the addition of benches, small decorative fences, fountains, garden art and more.

The accessories you select should go well with the plants. For example if your overall feel of the yard is country, old farm collectibles, wagon wheels, picket fence and water pump will add to your home. And you may enjoy a classical style but if you have a house full of toddlers you may have to settle for mini garden statues and a small patio fountain.

Most garden areas have decorative containers and statuary. They blend in and add to any décor. Your selection will be based on your style of home, neighborhood and family.

Planting Containers

Containers are essential to most gardens. Containers allow you to fill in blank spots when your flowers die back. They are also a wonderful way to garden in a small space or to add color to your porch. They also give you the opportunity to change the look of your yard and patio area but simply moving containers or adding new ones.

Containers also give you the opportunity to be creative. They can be arranged in curves, placed by driveways, layered or used on terraced hills. And in small space garden area using containers vertically will add privacy and make better use of your limited growing space.

They can be artistic in nature or rustic. The wide variety available will make decorating your home easy and unique to your personality.

Garden Statues

There are two basic rules when it comes to garden statues.

1.  If you are using large statues (3 foot or taller), then 1 per area of your garden will make your garden look good.

2.  If you use small statues then you can put them in groups to get maximum impact. At least three seem to add balance to your area. I like to vary the size of the pieces to create more interest.

And finally, many people use garden art in their landscape design. You can decorate your garden in your own way with a wide selection of one of a kind collectibles that range from mirror to handmade art. If you have a one of a kind piece, make sure it stands out on its own.

One item many people use in a garden area is handmade hypertyfu containers. They are fun to make and are definitely one of a kind.

When adding accessories just remember to have fun. Using that principle the home and garden areas will show your personality and make your living area a great place to relax and enjoy.

Posted by Denise at 10:39 am  Tagged with: , , , , , ,
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