The Quest for the Perfect Garden Shed

Another guest article today about garden sheds. Hope you find it useful…

Every gardener has that one place, a space to store pots, seedlings, and even have a cup of tea when it is raining. There is something about garden sheds that screams escapism. In the winter months it is important to have a place to get out of the cold, even if it’s just for a minute or two, a place to store venerable plants and all the tools that a good gardener needs.

So, what is the criterion for a good garden shed? Here is a list of some of the important factors you need to consider when buying a garden shed:

• Windows are a must, especially if you are looking to store plants in your shed – seedlings and vulnerable plants need light to grow, and thrive. You will also need to fit shelves if you are looking to rear young plants in the window. Being able to keep weak plants alive in the winter is an incredibly useful thing for a gardener to be able to do.
• You also need enough room to fit everything in. Think long and hard about the space you will need. Tools, lawnmowers, bags of fertiliser and plants can take up a lot of room, so do the math. You don’t want to end up with a shed that is too small to put everything in. You may also want to think about the space a chair will take up, especially if you like to have a quick cup of tea when it is raining.
• Every shed should have a sturdy base. Most are placed on concrete slabs, so you may need to build your own base for your outdoor building. You should factor this cost into the overall price of the project, just in case it pushes you over your budget.
• A shed can provide valuable vertical space if you are looking to grow climbing or hanging plants. Consider placing the shed so it receives a maximum of sun, and lean a trellis or old ladder against the outside wall. If you have the space, you can even mount a trellis a few feet away to create an archway for growing wisteria, clematis, hops or even grapes.

A shed is a gardener’s haven, so enjoy your new space; it may even save some of your plants next winter.