Gardening tools make our lives easier, but they may not last long if left outside. The hot desert sun and occasional rain is enough to rust and damage the wheel. Having a tool storage area in your yard is helpful for protecting your equipment.
Shaded and covered tool storage options are best for protecting your tools from the sun and rain. If you have the space and budget for a large shed, you'll have room to store other garden supplies like soil, compost, mulch and more. You can have room for a pot. However, even if you don't have a lot of space in your backyard, you can still protect your equipment. Below I list the different tool storage options and give some recommendations on where to find them. For more information you can read my article on the care of garden tools.
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large warehouse
This is great if you have the space and budget for it. The hood included in the kit can be made from reclaimed wood or metal and can be installed by a handyman in a day or two (depending on size). You can also make it from scratch, in which case you can use whatever you want. Prices vary widely, from several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the materials, size and labor required to assemble them. Companies like Home Depot will also build a shed for you if you buy supplies from them and pay to build it.
Larger sheds usually require some type of floor and foundation, which are sometimes included but may need to be installed by the homeowner. Some require concrete pads. If your warehouse is less than 200 square feet and has no electrical hookups, you do not need a City of Tucson or Pima County permit. Some exceptions may apply, so check your city or county building codes to be sure.
This type of tent is not portable. On the other hand, they offer plenty of storage space for tools, vehicles, carts, patio furniture, and many other patio items. You can also add shelves, pegs and different types of hangers to organize your gear.
In our climate, we usually don't have to worry too much about snow loads, but we do have to worry about wind. Especially with large sheds, make sure it's properly attached to a foundation (assuming you have one) so it doesn't blow over in high winds. You should also check the wind resistance of the cover to make sure it can handle the conditions in your yard. Any material you use will be exposed to strong sunlight and will require maintenance such as painting from time to time.
small warehouse
They usually have a simple roof and can be placed on a house or garden wall to reduce their footprint. Usually the size is the size of a closet. They can be made of metal, engineered wood or plastic resin. The advantage of this small shed is that it is easy to move if the layout of your garden changes. Prices vary depending on size, but typically range from $200 to $500. They can be human-sized, so they can walk (if they are big enough). The height is shorter if you don't need the extra height. I highly recommend getting one that allows you to install shelves and hangers to make efficient use of vertical space.
Other storage options
You can also use other tool storage solutions. Small tools can be placed in UV-resistant plastic containers to protect them from sun and rain. Large bins can be used to store trash, soil bags, and similar medium-sized items. After that, the tub can be stored in an airtight shelf.
Long tools, such as shovels and rockets, can be placed in a tool box and then stored in a covered area in the yard or under a roof. You can buy a tarp to cover it. If you are lucky enough to have a garage or other enclosed yard, tools can also be hung using wall hooks and pegboards.
