How to Store Garden Tools Quickly and Easily

Once spring is around the corner you'll need to figure out how to store your yard tools such as rakes, shovels and garden hoes. The following are tips for a couple of quick and easy-to-build storage systems to accommodate those long-handled tools. One system stores them vertically, while the other stores them horizontally--so hopefully, no matter how your garage or shed is laid out--one of these ideas will work for you. Here's how to store your garden tools quickly and easily.

2 pieces of 2-by-4 (18 inches long)

Hammer and nails or (6) 3-inch wood screws

Power drill and 1-inch bit

Hammer and nails or (10) to (12) 3-inch wood screws

2 pieces ?-inch plywood approx 18 inches and 24 inches

3-inch C-clamp

Tape measure

Pencil

Select a stud on the inside of your garage or garden shed that doesn't have any shelves or other attachments to it.

Measure down from the ceiling 2 to 3 feet, then using a hammer and nails install a piece of 2-by-4 extending out a foot or so on each side of the stud. Offset the nails or screws on each side so they don't run into each other or potentially split the stud.

After installing the 2-by-4s, simply hang your garden tools with the working end up and the handles pointing down.

Stack the two pieces of plywood together and clamp them so they won't move.

Measure and mark a line about 6 inches from one side of the plywood. This is the area you will use to fasten your tool hanger, so you don't want to drill any holes between the line and the edge of the plywood.

Use your drill and 1-inch bit to drill 6 or 8 holes through both pieces of plywood. By drilling through both pieces at once you'll ensure that the holes in the two pieces of wood will line up.

Choose two studs approximately 3 feet apart, then measure up about 5 feet and mark the spot (this will be where you position the top edge of the plywood sheets).

Locate one piece of plywood on the mark and install it to the edges of the stud with nails or wood screws, then install the second piece on the second stud.

After installing both pieces you now have two pieces of plywood with aligned holes firmly attached to sides of studs in your garage.

Store your long-handled tools by sliding the handles through both pieces of plywood where they will be safely stored off the floor and out of the way.

You can easily adjust the measurements of these two storage systems to match the layout of your garage or storage shed.

Always wear eye protection when using power tools or hammering nails.