12 Clever DIY Ideas for Organizing Garden Tools

PVC Tool Holder

Build this rack to store your tools on the wall. Use a jigsaw to cut a 1-1/4-in.-wide notch the length of a 2-in.-diameter PVC pipe. Cut several 3-1/2-in.-long, 1/8-in.-wide holes behind the notch. Use 1-1/4-in. drywall screws to attach these pieces to a 2×4 screwed to the wall.

Yard Tool Organizer

Create a simple long-handled tool hanger out of two 1x4s. On the first one, drill a series of 2-in. holes along the edge of the board. The trick is to center each hole about 1 in. from the edge. That leaves a 1-1/2-in. slot in the front that you can slip the handles through. Space the holes to accommodate whatever it is you’re hanging. Screw that board to another 1×4 for the back and add 45-degree brackets to keep it from sagging. If you wish, pound nails into the vertical board to hang even more stuff. No more tripping over the shovels to get to the rakes!

Garage Storage

Cardboard concrete-forming tubes are inexpensive ($10 at any home center) and provide a great place to store baseball bats, long-handled tools and rolls of just about anything, contributing to better garage organization. Rest the tubes on a piece of 2×4 to keep them high and dry. Secure each tube to a garage stud with a plumbing strap.

DIY Storage Ideas for Small Gardening Tools

Keeping small tools organized doesn’t have to mean building elaborate shelving or spending a lot. With a few simple materials—like a spare mailbox or basic PVC hooks—you can create practical DIY tool storage that keeps your gear within reach, whether you’re working in the yard or tucking things away in the garage.

Garden Tool Hideaway

A mailbox hidden behind shrubs near your garden provides a convenient home for tools. A small mailbox like this one costs less than $20 at hardware stores and home centers.

DIYers tend to accumulate all kinds of tools for all kinds of projects. The key to staying efficient, though, is to make sure you always have the right tools at hand.

Storage Hooks

Use budget-friendly PVC hooks to lift bulky items—like ladders, tree pruners and children’s bikes—off the garage floor and free up space. For heavier gear, consider using steel pipe to create a sturdier hook alternative.

Hang-It-All Hooks

Those plastic hooks that plumbers use to support pipes make convenient hangers for just about anything. They’re strong and cheap and they come in a range of sizes. Find them in the plumbing aisle at home centers and hardware stores.=

Repurpose Everyday Items for Garden Tool Storage

You don’t need custom-built shelves or pricey organizers to tidy up your yard tools. With a little creativity, everyday items, like a five-gallon bucket, an old golf bag or even a rake, can pull double duty. These clever alternatives to traditional garden tool racks make it easy to keep your gear organized and ready to roll, without taking up extra space.

Tool Bucket

A 5-gallon bucket comes in handy out in the garden—and not just for collecting weeds. You can load it up with all your gardening tools and carry them easily from place to place. If it starts to rain, protect the tools with the lid. But here’s the best part—it doubles as a portable stool when you need to rest or do some pruning. The only problem is that the lid can be hard to pry off. Solve that by cutting off all but two of the plastic tabs. The lid will go on and off in a snap.

Garden Gear Caddy

An old golf bag, especially one on a cart, is perfect for storing and hauling garden tools. Get them all to the garden in one trip and park them in the caddy shack when you’re done. Fore!

Simple Spiral Hose Storage

Here’s a handy tip for storing your spiral hoses so they don’t end up tangled. Just wrap them around the handle of a rake or shovel. The long-handled tool does double duty!

Preventing Tool Damage with Proper Storage

Tossing tools in a damp garage corner is a fast track to rust and wear. Simple solutions go a long way in keeping tools rust-free and in working shape. Purposeful storage isn’t just about tidiness—it protects your investment and saves you time on repairs down the line.

Wheelbarrow Rack

Hang up your wheelbarrow to free up floor space. Center a 2-ft. 1×4 across two studs, 2 ft. above the floor. Tack it into place, then drive 3-in. screws through metal mending plates and the 1×4 and into the studs. Leave about 3/4 in. of the plate above the 1×4 to catch the rim. Rest the wheelbarrow on the 1×4 as shown and mark the studs 1 in. above the wheelbarrow bucket. Drill pilot holes and screw ceiling hooks into the studs. Twist the hooks so they catch on the wheelbarrow lip and hold it in place.

Save Your Lawn Products

Leave a bag of fertilizer or weed killer open for long and it’ll soak up moisture from the air and won’t go through a spreader. Even grass seed could use an extra layer of protection from a moisture-wicking concrete floor. Place opened bags of lawn products in large resealable plastic bags ($1 at discount stores). The products will be free of clumps or pests when you need them.

Hang-It-High Helper

With this extension pole, you can hang objects in high, hard-to-reach areas. Attach a spring clamp to the end of an ABS or PVC drainpipe and use the end of the clamp as a hook to lift items on or off a hook or nail.

FAQ

Can I store tools outdoors safely?

Tools can be stored outdoors with proper protection. Use weatherproof containers or build a small tool cabinet with treated wood. Also, it will help if you ensure good ventilation and protection from ground moisture.

Sources:

• American Meadows: “Garden Tool Maintenance”