I was never really that into gardening until I bought my first house. So I had no idea how many garden tools I’d accumulate in a few short years.
I quickly learned that garden tool storage took up a huge chunk of my garage.
Since gardening tools come in all shapes and sizes, it can be challenging to find the right place to store them in your garage.
In this article, we’ll cover a few of the best garden tool organizers that I use to store my garden tools. Feel free to combine a few, so you can get your tools more organized.
Potting Bench
A potting bench is a specially designed structure that gives you a space to pot small plants, manage seedlings, and make minor repairs.
Potting benches come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from simple and minimalistic to ones with more advanced features, such as a utility sink or a rack.
Many potting benches contain drawers or shelves, specifically for garden tool storage, such as hand shovels and gloves.
In addition, since you’re going to be spending most of your time at your potting bench, it’s a good idea to keep your long-handled tools nearby.
Mobile Tool Storage Caddy
A mobile tool storage caddy not only helps keep your tools organized but also helps you conveniently carry your tools throughout your garden.
Instead of going back and forth to the garage to grab a new tool, you can bring all your gear with you.
A mobile tool storage caddy has wheels that make it easy to transport around your garden, but they also has several storage features that make them perfect for storing tools as well.
For example, some have pockets for small tools and a container for long tools. Some even have a bucket for you to use for weeding.
Mobile caddies offer various extras, so look at different ones until you find one that’s best for your garden tool storage needs.
- Versatile, multi-purpose rolling caddy hauls tools where you need them
- Keeps tools and supplies organized in the garage or shed
- Includes 5-gallon bucket with fabric tool organizer
Hooks on the Back of a Door
Hooks on the back of doors are great to store garden tools efficiently, and works well for small and large tools alike.
It’s a great choice if you are looking for a cheap storage solution because they’re easily available at most hardware stores.
So, you do not need to go to a specialty garden store like you may need to with some other items on this list. However, make sure that you pick hooks that will hold the weight of your tools, or can manage different sizes and shapes of tools.
Wall Tool Rack
In my garage, I use a wall tool rack to store my garden tools off the floor. There are many types of wall tool racks, like Gladiator GearTrack or Rubbermaid FastTrack. Click on the links to check out my reviews of them!
They can hold large tools, small tools, or both. These systems can include a series of hooks or other features like slots and baskets.
Wall tool racks are particularly effective method for storing long-handled tools which makes them perfect for garden tool storage.
Personally, I use my Gladiator GearTrack wall storage system to hang my shovels and rakes. It keeps them from hitting each other and lets me store my lawnmower directly underneath.
Galvanized Garden Tool Storage Box
Rather than taking your small gardening tools out of a cabinet and carrying them to your garden, consider a galvanized garden tool storage box you can take with you.
Since it’s rust-resistant, a galvanized steel box can be kept in your garden. You do not need to worry about rust or other damage from the elements.
However, a galvanized steel tool box is best suited to smaller tools. A garden hoe or pruning shears won’t exactly fit in a small box.
Instead, use the storage box for items you want handy, such as a hand trowel, gardening gloves, and plant markers.
You can use it in combination with a mobile tool storage caddy to help keep everything close-by and mobile, too.
Pegboard
Classic and easy to customize, pegboards are a great way to store your tools while saving space.
They’re similar to a wall tool rack, however, the peg format provides more versatility. You can store anything from tools to garden twine to crafting supplies, and organize them exactly how you like.
A significant benefit of a pegboard is you can easily see all your tools at once, so you can see if anything is missing or needs to be replaced.
Pegboards often pairs very well with a potting bench, but they’re mainly designed for smaller tools. You’ll need another solution for larger garden tools.
Small Shed
If you have the space for it, a shed is great for garden tool storage. Even though we’re mainly discussing how to store garden tools IN your garage, having the option to store them outside appeals to as lot of people.
Sheds come in a few materials, including wood, metal, and plastic.
Each comes with its own pros and cons, so, your choice will come down to what most suits your needs.
Remember that some internal organization may be good to have within the shed. Things like a slimline tool rack or a pegboard, may compliment a shed nicely.
Toolbelt or Canvas Roll-up Pouch
Toolbelts and roll-up pouches come in several different shapes to suit different needs. Both are designed to be easy to carry, letting you to easily work with several of your smaller garden tools at the same time.
A gardening tool belt is simply a belt with pockets attached, similar to a normal handyman’s tool belt.
Canvas roll-up pouches have a similar concept, but organize your tools in a compact roll, instead of on your belt.
- 10 pockets for essential hand tools
- Compact and easy to carry
- Water-resistant waxed cotton
Reclaimed Buckets and Pots
If you prefer the rustic look, or just want an environmentally friendly way to manage your gardening tools, reclaimed buckets or pots are a great option to store your garden tools in.
Reclaimed buckets and pots work very well for small tools such as hand trowels, hand pruners, and garden forks. You could even use these for long items if you add an attachment to your bucket that can provide some additional stability.
However, tools may get damaged when put in a bucket together. Knives can lose their edge, or harder tools can damage softer ones.
Luckily, there are solutions to prevent this issue, such as adding leather or foam dividers to keep your items organized.
Slimline Tool Rack
If you don’t want wall storage racks for your larger garden tool storage, a slimline tool rack is the next-best thing.
Slimline tool racks are narrow enough to make it both practical and versatile.
It works particularly well for long-handled tools, and provides the benefits of a wall tool rack without taking up space on your wall.
Since a slimline tool rack is free-standing, it’s a great option if you can’t drill any installation holes in your garage walls.
How to Store a Lawnmower
Whether you have a gas-powered lawnmower, and electric lawnmower, or an old-school rotary mower, you need to store it properly to get the most use out of it.
The most important parts of storing a mower are that you want it safe from weather, dust, and somewhere to keep it dry.
There are several places you can store your lawnmower. Most people, including me, store their lawnmower in the garage, but a garden shed or basement are other alternatives.
However, lawnmowers take up a lot of space, so you need to be strategic in how you store it.
One big thing to consider is how often you need to access it.
For example, if you are storing your mower for the winter, you likely will not need to access it frequently. However, if you need to take it out every week or two, you want to store your lawnmower in a location where you can easily remove it and return it.
Once you know where you want to store your lawnmower, you may need to make some space for it.
A big part of this is effectively organizing the other tools in this area.
You may have a case where you want to take advantage of wall-mounted storage options for your other tools.
Electric or non-powered lawnmowers can be hung on a hook or placed on a shelf.
Never do this with a gas-powered lawnmower, however. It may cause a gasoline spill in your garage.
Storing Electric Power Tools
You’ll need to consider many of the same things when storing electric power tools as when you store your lawnmower.
Fortunately, most power tools aren’t as big, so space isn’t as much of a factor.
As with all electrical devices, power tools need to be stored somewhere away from the elements.
Additionally, they need to be stored safely, and out of the reach of children and pets. You will also want to keep any power cords organized to prevent tripping.
Cabinets or tool drawers are a great option, because it keeps your tools from encountering too much dust or liquids. Dust is bad for power tool longevity because it can attract moisture from the humidity in your garage, leading to rust.
Therefore, when preparing to store your power tools for any length of time, it is a good idea to clean off any surface rust with WD-40.
After that, depending on the tool, you may want to apply a little oil or grease to add another layer of protection.
If your garage is climate-controlled, even better.
Most power tools can withstand a certain amount of cold, but extreme temperatures can damage them.
Often, power tools such as drills come with their own storage cases. This is often the best place to store them.
Not only are they great protection, but they also make it harder for you to lose parts or attachments.
You can also store your power tools in a toolbox or hanging from a pegboard.
When choosing these options, you may need to take extra measures to protect against rust. For example, you can add anti-rust liners to a toolbox or use a dehumidifier.
