Spring cleaning continued! Let’s keep at it with part 2!
Before you start organizing, you'll need to assign and arrange areas: Perhaps there's a hobby area in one corner and workshop equipment in another. Decide where these will go, then move on to figure out how to store everything. The biggest necessity for many families is storage space. Installing cabinets, shelves, racks and hooks may help immensely. Use boxes, baskets and old plastic storage containers from the kitchen to organize – adhesives in one box, paints on the shelves, etc.
After you've spent a whole day sorting screws in your garage, start yanking up the weeds. There's something very satisfying about ripping up a weed before it has the chance to terrorize your lawn and garden. Tired of yanking up the weeds? Pull out a sharp blade and prune your overgrown shrubs. Snipping off the dead bits makes way for new growth. Some people wait until after the flowering shrubs have bloomed to do the pruning, but that may not be healthiest for the shrub (even if the flowers are easy on the eyes). Consult your local gardening center if you need more pruning advice.
First, loosen the surface to a depth of 2 to 4 inches, then level the soil by using the back of a garden rake. Next, spread a mixture of grass seed and compost or fertilizer over the bare spot. Tamp the surface with the flat end of a rake to firm in the seed, then water as needed.
If your shed is overcrowded or full of cobwebs, it’s time to have a clean out. After removing unwanted products and tools (usually Father’s Day presents!), it’s time to rework the space. Storage shelves are available in various sizes and can be freeform or fully installed. Wall-mounted cupboards, hooks, baskets and boxes are available and, depending on the space, a workbench and stool is a dream come true for any home handyman or woman. Remember, make sure there’s enough room to store larger equipment such as the mower, pool gear, paint cans and even an esky (a necessity if the workbench is regularly used!).
Leaves and twigs may have accumulated during the fall and winter months. Also, harsh winter winds may have blown unwanted debris into your yard. It’s a good idea to set aside a day prior to when you plan to start working on your spring garden to clean-up and organizing.