The garden in winter is an inhospitable place for equipment, especially petrol and electric tools, which could be destroyed by rain and ice. When you have shed storage at your disposal, it pays to look after it properly.
A trusty garden storage shed is tailor-made to store all your gardening tools, from heavy-duty equipment such as lawnmowers and wheelbarrows to hosepipes, garden shears and smaller hand tools.
Your mechanical equipment could seize up if left outdoors over winter, rubber and wooden handles will be damaged by freezing weather and metal items will rust. Before putting tools away, lubricate any metal parts with a rust preventer.
All outdoor furniture should be stored to protect it from the elements, whether it’s made from plastic, wood or metal. Treat wooden furniture with a preservative before storage and use a lubricant on metal furniture to help stop rust.
If you have any outdoor toys for the kids, such as small slides, see-saws or a Wendy house, these too should be stored away during cold weather.
Store your bicycle in the shed, whether you’re just a summer cyclist, or whether you use it all year round and need to keep it dry overnight.
If you have an open fire, store logs in the shed. This will not only prevent them from getting damp, but it will also stop creepy-crawlies from infesting them.
Correct storage solutions
Never dump all your gardening tools and other items in the shed in a huge pile! This will just mean more work when you need to get something out again. The most efficient way of storing items such as tools, logs, empty plant pots and other small items is in plastic storage boxes with lids.
A sturdy garden storage box made from a resilient material such as HDPE, polypropylene and other heavy-duty plastics is your best bet. Providing a robust storage solution, this will protect your items from extremes of temperature, varying humidity levels and impact damage should the UK suffer a major storm this winter.
Buy storage boxes in different sizes and take a few minutes to label them with details of the contents. You’ll thank yourself when spring arrives and you’re getting everything out again, or if there’s a mild winter day when you want to potter in the garden.
Preparing and maintaining a shed for winter
On a dry day, prepare your shed for winter. Start by cleaning it, inside and out. Throw out anything you no longer need to clear some space and take junk to the recycling centre.
Wash the outside, no matter what the shed is built from, using soapy warm water, a bucket and sponge. Cleaning dirt off now will help prevent mildew from forming later.
If you spot any holes, repair them now, as rain and cold weather will only make them worse. If your shed is made of wood, treat it with a preservative on a dry, mild day.
Don’t leave anything around the base of a wooden shed, such as dying plants that are turning to mulch when it rains. This will increase the chances of rotting your shed and it may not survive the winter if the wood gets damp.
Look for signs of rust on metal fittings, such as hinges and door handles and window locks. They may clean up with a stiff brush. However, if there’s serious rust, replace them, preferably with galvanised steel alternatives.
Keep the shed pest-free, as the last thing you want is an infestation of rats or mice. Don’t leave anything in the shed that they can eat or nest in. Set up humane rat traps, just in case.
Keeping your shed secure
Check that the shed windows are not cracked and that they’re securely fixed into the frames. Also make sure you have sturdy locks on the windows and doors to deter would-be burglars.
Did you know a massive 22,500 Brits fall victim to shed burglaries in the average year? Opportunist thieves tend to target sheds when it’s easy to gain entry. Surprisingly, despite the latest police data showing how many homes are targeted, 17% of householders don’t have a home insurance policy that covers thefts from their shed.
The most commonly stolen items include lawnmowers, BBQs, pressure washers and chainsaws. Replacing a lawnmower can cost up to £700, while a BBQ will set you back between £150 and £800, a pressure washer costs up to £450 and a chainsaw up to £400.
Keep your shed secure and fit an automatic security light that will illuminate your garden as a deterrent, should anyone enter after dark. It’s worth noting that some insurance companies will only agree to cover sheds that are kept locked. Always read the small print in your policy.