Garden Tool Storage


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April 29th, 2025


garden tools
To sustain your gardening tools and keep them in good condition for years to come, you should take the proper steps to make sure the metal tools maintain their durability and do not accumulate rust. Where and how you store your tools can make all the difference.  Whether you need a place to store your tools for the winter or want to clear out space in your garage, a self storage facility can be a helpful solution. The winter season can significantly age and, perhaps, damage your tools if they are not properly cared for.  Electric tools of all sorts, especially, should be attended to regularly.  Smart storage can save you the burden of purchasing a new machine since time or winter weather can quickly age tools that are not properly taken care of.  Moreover, a self storage unit can free up garage space during the winter so that your son does not have to park his car outside and risk being late to class because his car has frozen and will not start. Prior to storing tools, you should be aware of a few things when purchasing and caring for garden tools.  Below are some simple tips that can save you time and money in the long run:
  1. Price can make the difference between short-lived and long-lasting equipment.  Look for stainless steel tools as they do not rust.  Similar to cheap paint jobs, coated metal and carbon steel are sure to rust over time if exposed to humidity.
  2. Sharpen (first) and oil tools regularly as needed.  Make sure the tools are clean and dry before oiling.  Tools can be oiled with a towel or rag that is damp with oil as long as it is not damped with other chemicals or water.  Tip: WD-40 is oil based but should not be substituted for an oil to treat tools.  Mineral oil is preferred, but motor oil can also be used and is cheaper.
  3. Wooden handles that show wear-and-tear should be sanded down and rubbed with oil.
  4. Tools that have accumulated rust should be hosed down with water and scrubbed with a wire brush, steel wool or sand paper until the rust is gone.  This should be done before the tools are oiled.
  5. To save time, go ahead and also spray oil on screws, hinges, etc., whenever you need to take apart machines to sharpen blades.
Remember to wear safety goggles and gloves when working with sharp tools. Regardless of the location in which you store your tools, you may want to consider storing them in a sand/oil mixture, which can be used for years.  This can be done by using a five-gallon bucket filled with sand and a half gallon of mineral (or motor) oil.  Shovels, hoes, pitchforks, etc., can all be stored in this mixture.  These buckets may be used year after year as long as they are kept away from rain.  Simply add oil each year as needed. In addition to buckets containing a sand/oil mixture, other methods can be used to preserve your tools. Below are some more tips for storing your gardening equipment:
  1. Put clean tools in an empty plastic container, such as a trashcan.  Also, consider hanging tools up on a rack or installing brackets to hold and organize your equipment.  Hardware stores offer strong adhesives to hold tools that will not leave residue when you decide to remove the bonding agents.  Both of these methods will keep your tools off of the ground, away from dirt and bugs, and out from underfoot.
  2. Gloves should always be kept in a closed container so your hand will not get eaten by visitors when you put them on.  Consider using an empty coffee can, ice cream tub or a popcorn tin that can also hold random excess nuts and bolts that may be lying around.  Space bags that use vacuum suction to remove air can also be a nice place to protect gloves when storing them for a longer period of time.
  3. Special care should be taken to store larger machines such as lawn mowers and big power tools in accordance with manufacturer directions.
  4. Hoses should be drained before storage.  Also, roll up hoses to prevent them from getting cracked or being damaged during moves.
  5. Put chemicals and fertilizers in a locked case away from children and pets.
  6. Gardening tools should be kept in a cool, dry place, such as a garage or storage unit.  This will help keep your valuables away from humidity.
Overall, be sure to take care of your tools to ensure their longevity and efficiency.  Inspect your tools each season and take the proper steps, some of which are mentioned above, to keep them in good condition. Self storage can be an excellent solution when you want to free up space in your garage during the winter.  On the other hand if you need more room but want to keep your tools close at hand, you may want to consider putting your items into a portable storage unit.  Portable storage companies deliver a large box to your location, and then you pack your items in the storage unit at your convenience.  You can choose what size of a portable storage unit you want, and companies usually allow you to store the box at a location of your choice.  Either way, the portable storage company will haul the box away when you are ready.


Lawn and Garden Equipment


Most homeowners prioritize their home maintenance tasks based on costs, importance and urgency. Among the lowest on the list is often properly storing and maintaining garden and lawn equipment. Yet it's often one of the least time-consuming for the dividends it can pay off. One exception can be a new storage shed. If a shed needs to be constructed and the homeowner is a do-it-yourselfer, it may be a time-consuming project, albeit a welcome one for those who like such home projects. Patio boxes and similar types of smaller storage containers may provide enough extra space to store your tools; smaller-sized fertilizer, mulch and soil bags; barbecue equipment; and other similar items outside the confines of your home. Yet, if this doesn't offer enough extra room -- or you don't have enough room in a garage or don't have a garage at all, you may want to build an outdoor storage shed yourself, or hire a contractor to do the job. Check your local building codes and, if applicable, any homeowners' association by-laws that may affect the placement, size or style of your shed. Build a good foundation on a level area and ensure the door size of the model you choose can accommodate your largest pieces of equipment, such as riding mowers or snow blowers. Concrete and pressure-treated wood are the most common foundation materials for sheds. Storage structures are usually made from metal, wood or resin. A balance between the cost of the structure and the amount of space needed should be weighed carefully.  Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages, as listed below. Metal Advantages: Usually the cheapest to buy Disadvantages: Prone to rust, especially in humid climates Wood Advantages: Often the most attractive Disadvantages: Needs the most treatment and maintenance to look its best; most prone to rotting and insect damage; among the most time-consuming and challenging to assemble Resin Advantages: Most resistant to rot and rust; among the easiest and fastest to assemble Disadvantages: Among the most expensive.

Maintaining tools and equipment

Another important consideration related to storage is tool maintenance. Tools should always be cleaned immediately after use. Spray them with a hose to remove mud and allow them to air dry. For stubborn dried-on dirt or mud on tools, you may have to use a trowel or other metal tool. Just as rust is the primary enemy of metal storage units, it also attacks metal tools and parts. If rust is already on your tools, use sandpaper, steel wool or a stiff wire brush to remove it. To prevent rust on tools in the future, try this: Pour a quart of motor oil into a galvanized steel or plastic tub filled three-quarters with sand. Most tubs are at least 20 inches in diameter and 18 inches deep. If space is at a premium, then a smaller container will also work. However, decrease the amount of sand and oil used proportionally. However, try to keep the minimum depth of the sand at 16 inches to ensure the metal parts of shovels and other tools can be dipped completely in the material. After use and any necessary cleaning of metal tools, dip them into the oily sand. Wipe away excess sand and oil with a cloth or paper towel before storage. This will help prevent rust from forming. Another alternative is to spray a light film of oil on cleaned and dried tools after each use. Again, use a cloth or paper towel to remove any excess oil. Metal tools should be stored off the ground in a dry area to prevent rust. For smaller tools, a peg board with metal hooks works well. For larger tools, such as rakes and shovels, you can purchase wall-mounted multi-tool holders. This works well and means that no floor space is needed to store tools. Linseed oil can be rubbed into wooden tool handles to preserve them. An important final task before harsh winters is to remove, drain and store garden hoses in a garage or storage unit to increase the lifespan of the rubber and decrease the possibility of faucets bursting due to ice expansion.

Storing gas-powered equipment

Fuel can become stale in as little as 30 days. This is why gas should be drained from engines before long-term storage. Be sure to run the engine until all fuel is gone. During your last use of the equipment, such as a mower, before long-term storage, try to "time" your last gas fill-up and the amount you add to ensure you won't have much fuel left in the tank as you're about to complete your last use of that equipment. Another way to store a gas-powered equipment is to add fuel stabilizer to a full tank (or close to it) of gas before storage. This will help the fuel last for up to six months. However, it's important to run the engine for a few minutes after the stabilizer is added so it's distributed throughout the entire system. After long-term storage, if starting the engine is a problem, check the spark plug tip to see whether black deposits are there. If so, replace the plug. As always, it's good to check the owner's manuals for all your equipment to ensure your following the manufacturer's specific advice for maintenance and storage. By properly storing garden and lawn equipment, you can lengthen its lifespan, keep it in good working order and decrease the need and cost of replacing equipment. The advice on this website is provided as a courtesy for informational purposes only. "Storage Tips" are offered as-is and no warranty is expressed or implied. For more information, see StorageFront's Terms and Conditions.


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