How to Build a Wooden Shed for Your Garden

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Whether you want to build a simple shed or construct a stylish housing for your gardening tools, the possibilities are endless when it comes to building a garden shed. If you're not sure how to build your own garden shed, here are a few tricks of the trade you need to know to ensure your finished project is safe, functional, and good-looking.

Get the Right Permits

Depending on where you live, you will have to obtain certain permits before building a shed on your property. This can be a hassle, and it can take up a lot of time, so don't procrastinate on this step. The sooner you get the necessary permits, the sooner you can start building your awesome garden shed.

Choose an Ideal Location

You can't just pick a random spot in your yard and plop a shed down. If you choose the wrong spot, your structure will not hold up. When choosing a spot for your shed, it's important to stay away from areas that collect water. Don't build your shed at the bottom of a hill or in the woods. Your shed needs to see sunlight so it can air out properly after being exposed to rain and snow. You must also choose a location that complies with setback distances.

Buy Your Materials

If you want your shed to last, it's important to choose high-quality materials. You can buy your wood from a lumber supplier like Larsen. You will also need to purchase hinges, nails, screws, and siding to complete your build.

Construct the Foundation

A sturdy shed starts with a solid foundation. Fortunately, shed foundations are much easier to construct than home foundations. Start by digging a bed that is four inches deep. Fill it with gravel, and tamp it down. Next, you need to lay down concrete blocks or wood timbers. This is what your shed will sit upon.

Follow Building Instructions

There are countless step-by-step building guides you can consult when erecting your garden shed. Be sure to choose one that fits your budget and skill level. If manual instructions are too hard to follow, there are hundreds of online videos that can help you build your garden shed.

A garden shed is an ideal place to store your tools because it protects them from the elements and frees up space in your garage. You can use these tips to build your own garden shed in your backyard.

What Routine Should You Keep to Manage Your Garden?

If you're like most gardeners, you probably have a routine that you keep to manage your garden. If you're new to gardening, you may still be wondering what exactly should that routine be? Here, we'll share some general routines, and you can add some of your own great ideas to hone your routine!

Watering

Watering is one of the first things that come to mind when people think of gardening. Just how often should you water your plants? This answer depends on a variety of factors, including the type of plant, the time of year, and the climate you live in. In general, most plants need to be watered about once a week. However, during hot weather or if your plants are in a sunny spot, they may need to be watered more often.

Plowing and Mulching

Mulching is another important part of plant care. Mulch helps to retain moisture in the soil, which can be beneficial during hot weather or periods of drought. It also helps to keep weeds at bay. There are many different types of mulch available, including organic options like wood chips or straw, and inorganic options like gravel or stone. You can also make your own mulch by composting leaves, grass clippings, and vegetable scraps.

When it comes to plowing, the timing depends on what you're trying to achieve. For example, if you're trying to control weeds, you'll want to plow before they have a chance to germinate. If you're trying to prepare a seedbed for planting, you'll want to wait until the soil is dry enough to be worked. As a general rule of thumb, early spring or fall are generally the best times to plow. How you plow will depend on the size of your garden. Some folks use a push plow, but others find it easier to consult with a company like Bane-Welker Equipment to discuss residential garden equipment options. This is especially useful for those who have a passion for gardening, but working soil is physically not an option for them.

Fertilizing

Keeping your soil rich and healthy is important for the growth and health of your plants. Fertilizing can help to replenish nutrients that have been used up by your plants. How often you need to fertilize depends on the type of fertilizer you're using, as well as the type of plants you have. In general, most plants need to be fertilized about once a month.

Weeding

Weeds can compete with your plants for space, water, and nutrients. Therefore, it's important to stay on top of weed control in your garden. Depending on the size of your garden and the number of weeds, you may need to weed every day, or you may only need to weed once a week. It's important to watch your garden and adjust your weeding schedule as needed because the old saying "growing like a weed" is true!

Now, we've hashed out the basics for establishing a garden routine. Remember, these are just guidelines and you can adjust your routine as needed to fit your particular garden. With a little trial and error, you'll find what works best for you and your plants!

How can your garden be used to make your home more self-sufficient?

As we continue to learn more about the world around us, our relationship with the planet grows stronger. For many, this deeper knowledge of the Earth has led to a desire to be more sustainable, less wasteful, and ultimately in control of the impact we’re having. 

One of the best ways to ensure we’re doing more good than bad is to take positive, active steps in the place where we have the greatest influence – our own homes. 

Perhaps most poignantly, it’s in your garden where the biggest impact can be had. This green space gives you the chance to to produce, conserve, recycle, and generate – all factors which can in turn make your wider home more sustainable and self-sufficient.

But how? Let’s take a look at some of the best steps you can take to ease the burden on the world around you, and place self-sufficiency back in your own hands. 

Cultivate a vegetable garden 

For centuries regular people would be forced to grow their own crops in order to survive. While you won’t have to go quite that far to make an impact, it’s definitely in the interest of both the environment and your own wallet to think about growing some vegetables at home. 

Peas, carrots, potatoes, radishes, leeks, and a variety of herbs are amongst the most popular things grown by people in their own gardens. Encouragingly, a recent study found as many as 35% of people choose to grow their own produce in some capacity.  

Use compost bins 

Compost bins are a clever way to reuse food without letting it go to waste. Simply find a dedicated container which you can put vegetable and fruit food waste into, then let it sit and decompose over time. 

While this won’t be very useful for your interior home, it will do wonders for the garden itself. In essence, you’re using the remains of previous fruit and veg to cultivate the new produce you’re growing. 

Solar glass greenhouses and sheds 

This experimental form of technology could be the future of the home and garden. It sees glass panels used instead of regular windows – which then absorb light to be used to power your house. 

The University of Michigan are the brains behind this bright idea. They estimate that in just the US alone there are currently 5-to-7 billion square metres of window which could benefit from the use of this kind of tech. That would be enough energy to power up to 40% of the country. 

Backyard wind turbines 

If you aren’t ready to wait around for solar glass to become the norm, then installing a wind turbine in your backyard might be an option. Wind power has become an increasingly popular source of energy across the past decade – seeing a 715% spike between 2009 and 2020 in the UK alone. 

By setting one up in your garden, you’ll be able to power at least part of your home by harnessing the force of Mother Nature. While set-up might be a bit expensive, you’ll earn back your money over time. 

Have these inventive uses for your garden inspired you to make a difference? Think about implementing one of these forms of sustainable technology in the future. 

Home Garden Ideas for Small Spaces

Gardening has become a popular hobby lately. Some love it solely because they want more nature in their lives while others wish to be more self-sufficient by growing their own fresh vegetables and fruits. The problem? Whether you live in a small apartment or a small single-family home, exercising your green thumb can seem almost impossible when you’re working with limited outdoor space. But don’t let that deter you. There are so many excellent tips and tricks out there to help you pursue your passion. Let’s take a look at a few home garden ideas for small spaces!

Use Windowsill Planters

Extremely small spaces can be tough to navigate. For example, those with smaller apartments might not have a patio or a balcony to use for gardening. In situations like these, it’s important to get inventive and find unique ways to grow plants in the space you’re currently living in. Are you a lover of flowers but simply don’t know where to put them? One excellent way to enjoy a little more color in your life without littering your indoor space with houseplants is to use windowsill planters. Windowsill planters hang conveniently outside of your windows to ensure that you can take full advantage of the sunlight and extra space without feeling too cramped. 

Of course, there’s also the issue of making sure that everything is being properly cared for, especially when it’s just out of reach or out of sight. Do you find it difficult to keep flowers alive, or do you forget to water them every so often? Don’t worry! You can get your hands on your very own automatic watering system kit to provide your plants with the regular hydration they need to keep them happy and thriving. This way, you can automate the process and enjoy gorgeous flowers year-round. When space is less available for you than it may be for those who have available backyard space or other spaces they can use solely for planting, windowsill planters may be the perfect solution!

Plant Your Vegetables Vertically

If you’re looking to start your own organic garden, you may be wondering just how you’re going to start growing your favorite vegetables without ending up running out of room and finding it difficult to navigate your new garden. Fortunately, there are multiple solutions for those with a small backyard who still want to enjoy fresh, organic produce. 

One excellent solution is to grow your plants vertically. Vertical planters help you maximize available space by growing a set of plants in each pot stacked one over the other. Of course, don’t feel as though you should stop there. Planting vegetables with flowers, rotating crops, and using succession planning are all great ways to get the most out of your small space and plant all the fruits and vegetables you wish to enjoy throughout the year. 

No Room Outside? Try Gardening Inside

Gardening inside can be a little bit messier and a little bit more difficult, but it’s certainly not impossible. For example, using the kitchen counter to grow herbs can help you maintain constant access to herbs that you use in your kitchen. Establishing a dedicated area in your home for flowers or houseplants can also be a great way to get started. Besides the essential gardening tools, you’ll likely need some LED lights that will provide light and warmth, high-quality pots and potting soil that allow your plants to thrive without impacting your interior, and ways to monitor temperature, humidity, and ventilation to protect both your home or apartment and the plants themselves. 

That being said, it’s important to do your research to make sure that you’re planting the right types of plants indoors. Those that are higher maintenance would fare much better in your windowsill planters or in individual containers or gardening boxes outside. Meanwhile, low-maintenance plants like succulents, herbs, or trendy houseplants like the popular spider plant are guaranteed hits for indoor gardening. As always, make sure to do your research to ensure that you’re providing your plants with the proper care. 

Gardening in Smaller Spaces Is Not Impossible

A lot of people who don’t have their own home with ample backyard space for gardening might become discouraged and shy away from gardening altogether. But no matter how much space you have or which types of plants you wish to grow, there are always ways to work around this common issue. If you’re ready to bring your vision to life, get started with the ideas above to find all of the inspiration and tools you need to join those who have started to garden in their smaller spaces as well!