Do you have a shed on your property that’s not getting as much use as it could be? Find that you don’t have anywhere to do your various gardening projects? Turning your shed into a potting shed could be the perfect solution.
A potting shed gives you somewhere to do gardening projects that is comfortable, roomy, and fun. You’ll find that you’re excited to get to projects that you’ve been putting off, now that you have somewhere pleasant to do them.
These tips can help you transform your everyday shed into a gardening haven.
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1. Get Temperature Control
Adding a couple of fans probably won’t be enough to make you enjoy doing gardening projects in your potting shed on a hot summer day. Wall air conditioners are simple and affordable to install, and you can turn them on only when you need them.
Whenever you’re ready to use your potting shed, just turn on the wall AC unit. Your potting shed will be cool in a minute or two. You can also use your wall AC unit to heat the space so you can keep doing gardening projects through the winter.
2. Make it Easy to Clean
Needless to say, there’s bound to be some dirt on the floor of your potting shed after most gardening projects. You want to make it as easy as possible to sweep out the potting shed. Something as simple as a piece of plywood on the floor can work well.
Don’t just plan for soil spilling on the floor while you’re working. Inevitably, there will be the occasionally dropped pot that sends dirt flying all over the shed. Use storage containers that seal so that if dirt splashes against them, it won’t cause a mess.
3. Install Lighting and/or Windows
It’s essential that you be able to see clearly when you’re working on projects in your potting shed. Transplanting seedlings or loosening roots can be delicate work.
Bright lights can do the job, but you can save energy and get better lighting by installing windows. If you like, you can create a greenhouse section of your potting shed by installing some windows.
You can even add a solarium to the side of your potting shed if you’d really like to take full advantage of it. A potting shed that is part solarium can be a great way to get some sunlit space behind glass and have more pleasant lighting and a lovely view while you’re working in the shed.
Regardless of whether or not you install more windows, you’ll likely want some lighting so that you can also work in the evening if you’re so inclined. String lighting or a reading lamp can be delightful when you’re relaxing after a hard day of gardening.
4. Provide a Variety of Storage
The more storage you have in your potting shed, the more organized you’ll feel and the more pleasant potting projects will be. Make sure to have dry, pest-proof storage for seeds, as they have a tendency to attract rodents and insects.
A pegboard can be convenient for awkward gardening tools like shovels, hoes, and rakes. You’ll need storage for gardening material like soil, sphagnum, peat, etc. Make sure to provide small storage containers for little gardening tools like ties, labels, etc.
Any items that you access regularly should be kept at a convenient height. The easier it is to put something back, the more likely you are to stay organized.
5. Build a Great Work Table
Your work table is the heart of the potting shed, so make sure you love working at it. It should be easy to sweep off and large enough, ideally, that you can work on even extensive projects without feeling crowded.
The potting table needs to be sturdy enough that it can hold heavy pots and plants. You want to be able to easily access all of the tools that you’ll use while you’re doing gardening projects at the work table.
On the other hand, it’s nice to have a view of a window while you’re working. Think about how to balance your storage versus view at your work table so that you’ll be able to access your tools and equipment but also have a nice view of the garden while you work.
Enjoy Your New Potting-Shed
Your shed can be so much more than storage for tools and odds and ends. It can be a practical, useful space where you can get a wide range of gardening projects done in comfort. If you’d like more from your gardening experience, a potting shed is the perfect solution.
Why sweat and kneel over while you’re planting seeds into seeding trays, transplanting potted plants, or doing any other smaller garden project? A potting shed allows you to do your hobby in climate-controlled comfort.
