Some people might think that a potting shed is a status symbol, when it really isn't. Others, including many gardeners, may think that it is totally unnecessary fluff while it isn't. Still others think that a potting shed is only for people with gardens or those who are rich; it isn't. Finally, there are a lot of people who have no clue what a potting shed is. Let's clarify all of this a little.

As the name implies, a potting shed has to do with potting. That is very general, however, and 'gardening shed' may be a more accurate term. They may be simple; merely a sheltered enclosure to store potting pots, garden implements, potting soil, the lawn mower and the like. They can be more extensive and allow a person to store all their yard and/or gardening supplies. They can even be more elaborate, allowing a person to start plants and grow them in a way similar to a greenhouse.

The needs will vary from person to person, house to house, yard to yard, and garden to garden. For anyone with a yard, lawn or garden, though, there is little argument that they are needed, regardless of how extravagant or simple they may be.

Consider this: Do you want your yard tools, gardening tools, mower, weedeater, pots and potting soil to be constantly exposed to the elements or where they can be stolen? Also, do you want them stored in one place or another so it is necessary to hunt for them when you need them? Or do you want them where they are handy, where you know where they are, and where you can get to them easily when you need them?

For many people who know what potting sheds are but just have an inkling of the purpose of the shed, the image that is conjured up may be of a fair sized out building on a large estate. Not many of us could afford that. The good news is that we don't have to. A section of the garage, an unused storage shed, a corner of a barn, even an enclosed area of the patio can function as a very good potting shed. If the yard is small, the potting shed would likely be correspondingly small.

The idea is to keep all of your potting, planting, gardening and lawn items in one place, where they are kept out of the weather and at the same time protected from theft. A huge number of items can be kept in a potting shed: mower, weedeater, gas for both or either, tiller, rakes, shovels, hoes, trimmers, weedeater line, pots, soil, spades, pruning shears, and the list just goes on. Having everything you need to care for your yard, lawn, and garden in one spot is more than convenient, and it does more than just save time and effort.

Yes, a potting shed can have a number of dual purposes. With good lighting or plenty of sunlight, they can indeed function as a greenhouse as well. They can be equipped with racks for drying plants and herbs. For people with farm animals, they can even be used to store tack and other animal tools. Though not in keeping with potting shed', it still helps to keep everything needed, in one place.

'Must' you have a potting shed? Of course not, and many people choose not to have one. But if you have a lawn or yard, a garden or flowerbeds, fruit trees or bushes, it only makes sense to have a potting shed. It makes life so much easier when you are caring for your plants, both indoor and outdoor plants, to have all your supplies in one place. Since the sheds can be so inexpensive and can be part of what is already in place, the question can then become, 'Why doesn't everyone with a garden or lawn have a potting shed?'

Learn more about this author, Rex Trulove.
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