TIDY THE GARDEN SHED

How long is it since you tidied your shed? The start of a new year is a good time to give a shed a fresh start.

Begin by totally emptying the shed and making some hard decisions about what you really do and don’t need. Old tools can be re-purposed or given away to a local community garden. Do you have old tins of paint, oil and out-of-date garden chemicals? Check with your local council as most provide special arrangements for disposal.

The next step is to freshen up the shed. Sweep out and clean the interior, patch any holes, wash walls, lubricate door hinges and repaint if you need to. Install new shelving and hanging racks for tools. When it’s time to re-stock, start by putting the things you use most often next to the entrance. Store chemicals on a high shelf or in a locked cupboard out of the reach of children. Place fertilisers away from sources of moisture such as damp walls.