Overhead storage for garden tools
Rakes, shovels, brooms and other long-handled tools seem to be in the way no matter how they’re stored in the garage.
Here’s a rack that works: Cut two pieces of plywood about 12 in. x 48 in. and drill matching 2-in. holes in each, spaced about 6 in. apart. Mount the racks on crossties below your garage roof rafters.
Garage organizer
Cut an old hose into 7-in. pieces, slit them, and nail them to the wall to make good holders for handled tools in the garage.
2-minute tool rack
One way to get rid of clutter in your storage shed or garage is to screw 16-in. scrap 2x4s at a slight upward angle to each side of a wall stud. They will hold a wide variety of yard tools.
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!
Lawn tool carrier
An old golf bag with a cart makes a perfect holder for garden tools. The large wheels make it easy to haul the tools over long distances and rough terrain.
Wheelbarrow rack
Hang your wheelbarrow on the garage wall 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, into the studs. Leave about 3/4 in. of the plate sticking 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.
Propane tank carrier
When you take your 20-lb. propane tank to be filled, does it always roll around in the trunk of your car? To solve the problem, stick it in an old milk crate. The crate’s wide, flat base keeps the tank stable.
Garden tool hideaway
A mailbox near your garden provides a convenient home for tools. A small mailbox like this one costs less than $10 at hardware stores and home centers. King-size models cost about $25.
Bulb Storage Solution
Tender bulbs that must be overwintered indoors are hard to keep organized. These include canna lilies, freesias, caladiums, gladioluses, dahlias and tuberous begonias. Keep track of who’s who by storing them in egg cartons, with each bulb identified on the top of the carton. The cartons even have ventilation holes that help prevent rot and mildew.
Hose caddy
Here’s an easy way to store unwieldy garden hoses without strangling yourself. Coil them up in a round laundry basket or bucket. Then hang the basket or bucket on the garage wall or slide it into an obscure corner.
No-tip garbage cans
There really is a simple way to keep those garbage cans from getting blown or knocked over. For each garbage can, all you need are two 3/4-in. screw eyes and a 30-in. hook-end elastic cord from the hardware store.
Lid leash
Tired of losing your garbage can lid because the wind blew it away, or because it skittered away when you tried to knock it off when your hands were full of trash? Drill a small hole just below the rim of the can, and another near the center of the lid. Then thread a 24-in. length of rope through the holes, and knot the ends as shown. The lid will always be right there when you go to put it back.
Milk jug tarp weights
Use milk jugs partially filled with water or sand to weight the edges of a tarp. It looks weird, but for awkwardly shaped stuff it works better than trying to tie the tarp down.