It’s that time of year, you’ve harvested your crops, moved vacationing houseplants back inside, and mulched your garden beds. The Winter months are ahead and proper lawn and garden equipment storage will allow you to use them again in the Spring with little or no additional effort. If you don’t have a place on your property that is ideal for storing this type of equipment, a self-storage unit is a great solution! Lawnmowers and gardening equipment can take up a lot of space when being stored, so if you don’t have spare room in your garage or shed, don’t choose to leave them out. Rent a self-storage unit and have proper lawn and garden storage space. Keep reading for lawn and garden storage tips.
Garden Tools
Keep your gardening tools in the best shape for next season. Before storing gardening equipment, make sure to follow these tips:
Rinse and Dry Tools: Tools such as rakes, shovels, gardening forks, and other hand tools should be properly cleaned after use, and then dried before placing them in your self-storage unit. If your tools are excessively dirty, be sure to clean them with a stiff-bristled brush. If your tools have any rust you can use sandpaper or steel wool to get the spots off.
Sharpen Tools: If you have any tools that are dull, be sure to sharpen them before placing them in storage. If you don’t have the proper equipment to do this, you may be able to take the tools to your local hardware store and have them to it for you. Doing this before storing gardening equipment, ensures your tools will be sharp and ready to use for next season.
Restore Handles: Check for any cracks or splinters in the handles of your gardening tools. If you find any cracks or splinters, use a piece of sandpaper to smooth the rough areas. Be sure to replace broken handles before storing gardening tools. This will ensure you don’t injure yourself on sharp edges, and of course, allows your tools to be ready for use next season.
Oil Tools: Before storing gardening tools you should coat the metal parts with a light oil or spray them with WD-40. You should also protect the wooden handles by applying linseed oil. This will help keep the tools fresh and protected while the tools are in your self-storage unit.
Once you’ve gone through the proper steps for storing gardening tools, they should be stored in a dry location, such as a garage, shed, or self-storage unit. You can use buckets to hold smaller tools and a hanging rack for your larger items. If you decide to keep your smaller tools in buckets, be sure to have sand mixed with oil in the bucket in order to help protect your tools against rust.
Lawnmower
One of the largest pieces you have to worry about when storing gardening equipment is your lawnmower. This piece of equipment is a bit more inconvenient when it comes to space. If you don’t have a dry place to store your lawnmower during the Winter months, think about renting a self-storage unit. Always read your owner’s manual for specific instructions on storing your lawn mower, trimmer or other small, gas-powered machines. If you follow the proper lawnmower storage tips, your lawnmower will be in great condition for the spring. Keep these tips in mind:
Drain Fuel: Before storing a lawnmower in a storage unit you should drain the fuel. This is will allow the engine to last longer. If fuel is left in your lawnmower the alcohol can degrade plastic and rubber parts. If fuel is left in your lawnmower if also attracts moisture, which can cause rust. You should never store any equipment with combustible contents such as gasoline in a self-storage unit.
Disconnect the Battery: Be sure to disconnect the battery as well as the spark plugs so that the lawnmower cannot accidentally start.
Clean and Sharpen Blade: The blade should be cleaned of excess dirt, grass or leaves, and then removed and sharpened or replaced if needed. This way your blade is clean, sharp, and ready for next season.
Change the Oil: Follow the manufacturer’s directions in order to properly drain and change the oil. You can also replace the air filter if needed at this time.
Clean the Mower: You should clean the frame of your lawnmower, and underneath with a hose. Once your mower is clean and dry you can replace the spark plugs and get ready to place your lawnmower in storage.
Now that you have taken the steps to prepare for lawnmower storage, it should be placed in a dry and protected area unit next season.
Sprayers and Hoses
Before freezing temperatures hit you should get your garden sprayers and hoses ready for storage. Store your sprayers and hoses the right way with these tips:
Garden Sprayers: Using a sponge or brush be sure to wash your sprayers inside and out with soapy water. Once you’ve got them all clean be sure to rinse with clean water and spray through the lines to rinse them. Make sure the sprayers dry thoroughly before placing them in storage. You should also keep the chemicals you use in the sprayers away from freezing temperatures.
Storing Hoses: Don’t let your hoses get ruined in cold temperatures. Storing garden hoses for Winter is important in order to keep them usable for the next season. Be sure to remove nozzles and drain your hoses. Let the hoses dry, and mend to any leaks once they are dry. You can use electrical tape for a cheap, and quick fix. Once your hoses are drained, dry, and ready for storage, you can coil them up to keep them from kinking. Be sure to keep your garden hoses stored out of the elements during the Winter months. Place them in your self-storage unit with your other gardening and lawn equipment for proper protection.
Renting a self-storage unit to store your gardening and lawn equipment for the Winter is a great solution when there is no room to store it at home. Storage for garden and lawn equipment is important in order to keep your items protected, and ready to use next season.
