If you find yourself opening the door to your backyard storage shed and grimacing because the object of your desire is firmly embedded in the back corner under a pile of deflated pool toys, assorted plastic plant containers, bags of fertilizer, and a tricycle or two, then read on.

First of all this is not a happy task, organizing the garden shed. Nobody wants to do it. But once the job is done, you’re set—at least for this gardening season. Being able to access the lawn mower unheeded AND find plastic bags for grass clippings, is critical.

Here are some organizing tips, ideas, and products that are guaranteed to make your life easier.

1. Take everything (EVERYTHING) out of the shed. Okay, this is not what you wanted to hear but this is the really the best place to start. You’ll see at a glance what you’ve got to work with.
2. Make piles (big piles) of things to keep, things to throw away, things to be repaired or sharpened. Note that gardening tools and lawnmower blades should be sharpened every year.
3. Throw the garbage pile away. VERY important.
4. Organize the remaining piles into categories.
   Here are some for starters:
   • Garden power tools (things with cords) and accessories
   • Garden tools, long handled, short handled
   • Stakes and plant supports
   • Watering equipment
   • Soil and fertilizer, grass seed, lime (big bag stuff)
   • Plastic and wood pots and planters
   • Non-gardening or seasonal stuff
   • Christmas decorations
   • Bikes and toys
   • Pool toys
   • Sports equipment
   • Plastic bags
5. Take inventory and determine what organizing and storage helpers you need. Remember you are still planning at this stage. Here are some top ideas:
   • Containers: Rubbermaid bins, clear plastic boxes, coffee cans, spaghetti jars, large plastic garbage cans. Label everything that goes into a container of any kind.
   • Shelving: free standing plastic shelving systems can be had for sixty dollars or less. Individual shelving with mounting brackets.
   • Hooks and pegs: box of for nails (2 ½ framing nails work great) for hanging long tools, hoses, rope, cords.
   • Sheets of peg board and pegs.
   • Premix potting soil and have ready.
   • Tool box: keep regularly used tools like screwdrivers, hammers, duct tape, tape measure twine, chalk, pencil always in the same place
6. Purchase and then assemble the containers and shelving you need and then install them in your shed. Try shelving along the back wall of the shed for containers and small items, install hooks on opposing walls, and leave room for large containers on the floor.
7. Replace your items in the shed but keep everything together in groups. For example, keep all the garden power tools, extension cords, and gas cans together. The lawn mower especially should have easy access to the door. Hang long garden tools like rakes, hoes, cultivators all together along one wall. Store or hang small garden tools all together in one container. Store twine, rope, stakes and other plant supports all together. Store weed killers, fertilizer, and other lawn chemicals on shelves lining the far wall.
8. Finally, LABEL everything that can be labeled (containers, pegs, nails, and hooks) so that everyone in the family can return the items to the same place every time.

If you’re NOT organizationally inclined, this system may not last forever, but it will get you through the spring and summer months, the height of gardening season and outdoor chores. Plan to do this spring shed cleaning every year to get your outdoor storage whipped into shape and keep the clutter at bay for good.

Leanne Tremblay is a freelance writer and publisher of Learn About Garden Sheds where you can information on garden shed plans, garden arbors and other outdoor structures.