Nine Tools Every Garden Shed Should Not Be Without

by Dave Donovan

Garden sheds can sometimes end up being a catch-all for all of the stuff you don't want in your garage, but if you want to have a successful season of gardening or landscaping, you need to clean out the clutter and keep your gardening shed just for your gardening tools. Having a clean garden shed will make it easier to find your tools and with the proper tool for the job, you'll get your jobs finished in a fraction of the time. Here are nine essential tools that should be found in every garden shed.

Shovels – What gardening shed is complete without a variety of shovels? From digging shovels to flat-pan shovels to garden spades, each type of shovel is made for a specific job. Having good quality shovels and using the right one for the job will help reduce the wear and tear on your body and make the job infinitely easier.

Rakes – Rakes are must-have if you live within sight of a tree. Even in the middle of summer trees will lose their leaves and if you want your lawn looking preen, keep a rake in your shed to clean it up from time to time.

Pruners – Pruners are essential for the gardener. All season long you can find little twigs and branches that need cut back, so having a set of pruners in your shed will certainly help your landscaping maintain a tidy appearance.

Hand Spades – When planting bulbs or smaller plants, you don't want to use a shovel. For this job, a hand spade works perfectly. Keeping an assortment in your garden shed will help make planting an easier task.

Lawnmower – You don't want your yard looking like an overgrown field, do you? A lawnmower is a must! From gas and electric models to self-propelled or riding lawnmowers, there is a lawnmower available for everyone. And, for those living the green lifestyle, they still make the old-fashioned push mowers!

Wheelbarrow – Cleaning up the yard can produce massive piles of debris, especially after a big storm. Having a wheelbarrow will help you cut down on the time it takes to clean up and they're great for moving the shrubs or trees you are planting or transplanting!

Weed trimmer – Having a weed trimmer is ideal for cutting the grass that can't be reached by your lawnmower. Plus, most weed trimmers can pull double-duty as an edger when you can't afford to own one outright.

Saws – There are a large assortment of garden saws available at your local hardware store. Having at least one kind of hand saw in your garden shed is a good idea for tackling the branches that are too thick for pruners but too small for a chainsaw.

Chainsaw – A chainsaw can come in very handy when you have large items that need cut up, like very thick branches or fallen trees. It will make quick work of the job and help save your back!

Dave Donovan is a freelance copywriter living in Atco, N.J. An electrician for 15 years, an injury forced him to pursue his true passion - writing.