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Home / Gardening Products / Garden Tools / Organizing Garden Tools & Supplies (How-To Guide)

Organizing Garden Tools & Supplies (How-To Guide)

By Amy Andrychowicz | 12 Comments

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How To Organize Garden Tools & Supplies (How To Guide)
How To Organize Garden Tools & Supplies (How To Guide)

Organizing garden tools can be difficult and awkward! If your garden tool storage has gotten out of control, now is the time to clean it up. In this post, I will show you the best ways to clear the clutter, and keep your garage or shed tidy.

Organizing Garden Tools & Supplies (How-To Guide)

But, because of their odd shapes and often bulky sizes, it can be hard to figure out how to organize garden tools and supplies.

Before I set out on a mission to get my act together, I used to just haphazardly toss everything into the garage when I was done with it.

Not only does this look terrible, it was also very frustrating to hunt for the items I needed each time I wanted to work in my yard.

Well, no more of that cluttered and ugly mess for me! I was determined to figure out the best ways to store garden tools and equipment, and keep them tidy all the time.

So, if you’re tired of a messy garage or shed crammed full of disorganized garden equipment and supplies, then this is for you!

Here’s what you’ll find in this guide for organizing garden tools…

Table of Contents

  • How To Organize Garden Tools
    • Storing Long Handled Garden Tools
    • Organizing Garden Hand Tools
    • Storing Bags Of Soil & Fertilizer
    • Organizing Garden Pots
    • Keeping Garden Gloves Tidy
    • Storing Power Equipment
    • Taking Your Organized Garden Tools On The Go
  • Tips For Keeping Your Garden Tools Organized
  • FAQs
    • Can you leave garden tools outside?
    • Should you store garden tools in sand?

How To Organize Garden Tools

In this section, I will give you tons of tips and ideas for keeping all kinds of garden tools, equipment, and supplies in an orderly fashion.

From neatly arranging short or long handled tools, to figuring out how to store odd shaped items like pots or power equipment, or bulkier items like bags of soil or fertilizer, you’ll find it all here.

My super messy garage before organizing garden tools

My super messy garage before organizing my garden tools

Storing Long Handled Garden Tools

Long-handled tools (like rakes and shovels) are the worst to organize, so I’ll start with those. Depending on your space, you have a couple of options.

If you have the floor space, then a small standing rack would be perfect for your garage or shed. If that’s too large, then get one that fits in a corner.

You can also store long-handled gardening tools by hanging them on the wall. I use this heavy duty hanger for mine.

Storage rack for long handled garden tools

Storage rack for long handled garden tools

Organizing Garden Hand Tools

Though not as awkward as their long-handled counterparts, hand tools can also be tricky to keep nicely organized.

But the good news is that there are several options for storing them. Here are a few of my favorites…

  • Repurposed pocket organizer – Do you have a hanging pocket organizer that’s just collecting dust? Use it for your hand tools or other small items. Simply hang it over a door or on the wall, then fill the pockets. It’s amazing how much you can fit in there.
  • Storage bins – If you would rather store them on a shelf, get some heavy duty bins. I like to either put it all into clear storage bins, or use a piece of tape to mark what’s in each one, so I know where everything is at a glance.
  • Hanging pegboard – Use a regular pegboard to hang your garden tools on the wall to organize them. You can get a full kit, just buy a variety of pegs, or use pegboard cups to hold all of your small items and accessories.
Organizing small hand tools by hanging on pegboard

Organizing small hand tools by hanging on pegboard

Storing Bags Of Soil & Fertilizer

Half used bags of gardening supplies, like fertilizer and potting soil, are always so awkward to store.

Rather than piling the open bags in a corner somewhere, I like to use buckets to keep them tidy. Not only will they fit better on the shelf, they are stackable.

Buckets with tight fitting lids will also prevent bug problems, and keep any dust or odors contained. Plus, it’s easier to use them without spilling or making a mess.

Keeping leftover potting soil in sealed buckets

Keeping leftover potting soil in sealed buckets

Organizing Garden Pots

Another big space waster is empty pots and planters. It’s nice to have extras on hand when you need them, but they can really clutter up the space.

To store extra pots and containers, first stack them as neatly as you can. Be sure to nest smaller sizes into the larger pots so the stacks are as short as possible. Then, put them on a shelf.

I like to organize mine in storage crates because it’s easy to see what’s inside, and they sit nicely on the shelf.

Plus, you can put small pots and drip trays in the crates too, without worrying about them crashing to the floor when things get shifted around.

Storing garden pots in crates on a shelf

Storing garden pots in crates on a shelf

Keeping Garden Gloves Tidy

Just like socks, garden gloves tend to disappear, leaving you with a bunch of mismatched oddballs.

But, when you get into the habit of storing them properly after use, it’s amazing how easy they are to keep track of.

I like to organize my gloves by rolling them in pairs, just like you would your socks. Then I toss them into a stackable bin on my way back inside.

That way, they’re easy to find, and I never have to waste time digging for a matching pair.

Neatly organized garden gloves in a container

Neatly organized garden gloves in a container

Storing Power Equipment

Small power equipment (like leaf blowers, edgers, hedge trimmers, etc) takes up a ton of space when strewn about on the floor. So, try hanging them instead.

We installed a wire shelf, and then got some large S hooks to hang our garden power equipment.

The shelf gives us extra storage space on top, makes it easy to find what we need, and keeps the equipment out of the way when not in use.

Hanging garden equipment in my garage

Hanging garden equipment in my garage

Taking Your Organized Garden Tools On The Go

Once you have all of your garden tools organized, you’ll want to make it easy to keep them that way.

So, during the busy growing season, I like to keep my most used items in a portable carrying container.

That way, I can take them outside with me, and I don’t have to spend time putting everything away when I’m done.

If you have a spare 5 gallon bucket laying around, then a bucket organizer would be perfect. Otherwise, try using a portable caddy, or get yourself a cute carrying bag.

Garden tools organized in a portable caddy

Garden tools organized in a portable caddy

Tips For Keeping Your Garden Tools Organized

Taking the time to organize your garden tools is one thing. But keeping them that way? Well, that’s a whole different story.

So below I will give you some tips for sticking to your organization plan, without losing your motivation (or your mind) in the process.

  • Take the time to organize your garden tools and equipment in the fall before storing them for winter. That way, everything will look clean, and be right where it belongs come spring when the busy growing season starts.
  • It’s best to have a designated space for storing garden equipment and supplies. That way they don’t get lost in the clutter of everything else in your shed or garage.
  • Keep everything in a place that is on your way to and from the garden. That way, you’ll be more likely to put them away when you’re done.
  • If you live in a cold climate, you may find it easier to store garden tools in an attic or other out-of-the-way spot during the winter. Or better yet, swap them out for your winter equipment to keep a cleaner look.

FAQs

Do you still have a few questions about organizing garden tools? Here are some of the most common ones I see. If you can’t find an answer here, ask your question in the comments section below.

Can you leave garden tools outside?

It’s not a good idea to leave them outside. Leaving them outdoors will cause the metal to rust much faster, and wooden handles can rot or fade in the sun.

It’s best to store garden tools in a cool, dry location so they will stay in good shape, and last for many years to come.

Should you store garden tools in sand?

No, I do not recommend storing garden tools in sand. The reason is because if there is any moisture at all in the sand, it will rust or destroy them.

Organizing your gardening tools means that it will be much easier to keep everything tidy, so you can always find what you need. So get creative, and you’ll find garden equipment and supplies storage systems that work for you.

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Share your tips or solutions for organizing garden tools and supplies in the comments section below.

How To Organize Garden Tools & Supplies (How To Guide)

About Amy Andrychowicz

I live and garden in Minneapolis, MN (zone 4b). My green thumb comes from my parents, and I've been gardening most of my life. I’m a passionate gardener who loves growing everything from vegetables, herbs, and flowers to succulents, tropicals, and houseplants - you name, I've grown it! Read More...

Comments

  1. Staci says

    August 7, 2016 at 7:47 pm

    We use frosting buckets that we get from the grocery stores and Sam’s. Most of the time we can get them for free. We use them for organizing garden items and making grow buckets for fig trees.

    Reply
    • Amy Andrychowicz says

      August 11, 2016 at 9:37 am

      Great idea, I love using buckets top store stuff too! Thanks for sharing your tips.

      Reply
  2. Sahana says

    March 13, 2016 at 10:45 pm

    Great ideas ! I always roll the socks but have never thought to do the same with my gardening gloves.

    Reply
    • Amy Andrychowicz says

      March 15, 2016 at 9:15 am

      You’re welcome! 🙂

      Reply
  3. sara says

    March 11, 2016 at 7:39 pm

    I need to organize my garden stuff desperately. My garage is a total mess!! Thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply
    • Amy Andrychowicz says

      March 15, 2016 at 9:11 am

      You’re welcome, have fun getting it all organized!

      Reply
  4. ramona cagle says

    May 5, 2015 at 3:21 pm

    I keep small tools in a container filled with sand to which I have added some motor oil. They never rust and I always know where they are. it is not even necessary to clean them after use.

    Reply
    • Amy Andrychowicz says

      May 5, 2015 at 8:25 pm

      Just make sure the sand never gets wet, because your tools could end up rusting. But I’m guessing the motor oil helps to prevent that.

      Reply
  5. Pamela says

    April 17, 2014 at 12:49 pm

    The cat bins are a great idea for storing soil and other stuff and keeping it dry. We grow on a roof so we don’t have a shed or any in door space for storage (I wish!), so we’ve been using tough containers that last well with the weather and keeping water out.

    Reply
    • Amy Andrychowicz says

      April 17, 2014 at 7:20 pm

      Good idea! Any type of heavy-duty bucket with a tight fitting lid should work great for storing your supplies outside like that. Even better if you can find a protected spot to put them.

      Reply
  6. Richard Murphy says

    April 7, 2014 at 9:45 pm

    Great article. I just don’t know how long I would be able to keep it that organized 🙂 At one point I had over 1000 empty pots and containers. I love the milk crate idea for the smaller ones.

    Reply
    • Amy Andrychowicz says

      April 8, 2014 at 6:52 pm

      Wow, that’s a lot of pots! I don’t let my collection get that large, I’m constantly giving them away. 🙂 But keeping everything organized certainly can be a challenge, especially during the busy gardening season! Having a dedicated spot for everything is a HUGE help. That way, you can easily put things back where they belong when you’re done using them.

      Reply

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