By Elizabeth Takakjian
Each fall I start out with good intentions of organizing my gardening supplies as I close down the garden for the winter, and to some degree I do, but inevitably there’s a corner of the garage or shed in a jumble. In it are things tossed there just after the first snow or items that I saved because I might find a use for it in the garden – next season. In January, just after the New Year as the seed catalogs arrive and I’m enthralled by their offerings my mind wanders to the garden jumble left from the previous season. What to do!
This year I’ve decided that late winter is the perfect time to get my gardening totes and supplies in order. I can accomplish it inside, out of the weather a bit at a time. Here are the three simple three steps I’ve decided on to tackle the jumble in my garage and in my garden tote.
Step 1: Inventory tools and supplies. Discard broken or damaged items along with anything I haven’t used in the last two garden seasons. Since I’m paring down my tools, I’ll be keeping those that are good quality made with ash handles and forged, cast aluminum, or stainless steel and in good condition. Of those I’ll keep the brightest colored so they are easier to find in the garden.
If you find you have multiple tools that are still serviceable, or supplies you no longer need, place them aside and look for a local school or community garden that you might donate them to in the spring.
Step 2: Clean and sharpen tools. Here are two links that offer good suggestions and techniques for proper tool cleaning, care and storage. I plan to place a WD40 sand pot just inside the entrance to my garden shed this year so that I’ll be more inclined to properly care for my tools.
Step 3: Organizing my garden carryall. Over the years I’ve acquired several “favorite” containers and storage nooks for my gardening supplies and perhaps that is the cause of the clutter. This year I’m going to pare it down to only two: a five gallon bucket with a pocket liner for my own day-to-day tote for gardening use and a garden guest tote for when the kids what to join me in the garden. Five gallon buckets are available at most hardware or garden supply stores, and if you want to keep each item in its place, liners with multiple pockets are available to fit the bucket. As a matter of fact I’ll make sure I have two buckets: one for my garden tools and one for the weeds and garden debris – or occasional seat when inverted. For the spare – guest garden tote, I’ve decided on a colorful one similar to a two handled picnic basket. It’s inviting, easy to reach into for little helping hands.
Essentials in my garden bucket include garden gloves, soil thermometer, twine, scissors, plant markers and pencil, dibble, ruler or tape measure, small first aid packet, sunscreen, a kneeling pad, hand pruners, hand weeder, hand rake, and garden shears.
With fewer tools around and only two designated places to store them, my carryall and a garden guest tote, I’m hoping that this garden season I’ll keep better track of my tools and spend less time searching for them leaving me with more time to enjoy the garden.
Elizabeth Takakjian is a Program Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County’s Family Health and Wellness Program, as well as a Master Gardener. She can be reached at 631-727-7850 ext. 325 or at et344@cornell.edu.