Outdoor Storage Options. Small lawn mower shed

16.06.2023 Fordrejurus lawn, options, outdoor, small, storage

Planning Your Lawn Mower Storage Shed

A lawn tractor or riding lawn mower storage shed is likely be an essential purchase or DIY project if you don’t have room for your machine in a garage or other outbuilding.

It is surprising how often people forget about the question of storage when thinking about investing in a lawn tractor or riding mower. If you are potential lawn tractor purchaser, you’ll probably be asking yourself things like ‘what size engine do I need?’ or ‘what kind of transmission system is best?’. both eminently sensible questions, of course.

But, if you don’t also think about where you are going to keep your machine, you could end up with thousands of dollars worth of equipment sitting outside with nothing for protection but an ill-fitting tarpaulin flapping forlornly in the wind.

So, now that I’ve got you thinking about it, what are the key points to consider when planning your lawn tractor or riding lawn mower storage solution? You’ll find tons of advice elsewhere on Secrets of Shed Building that will help you decide on things like foundations and roofs but here I highlight some particular lawn tractor related issues that you ought to have in mind.

What size should I build my lawn mower storage shed?

This is the first question to ask yourself and probably the most important one because a lot flows from it. Once you work out how big your tractor shed needs to be, you can then plan where to locate it and begin to assess how much it is likely to cost you.

John Deere X749

Ride on mowers vary a lot in size. Probably the most compact (and cheapest) machine on the American market is the Weed Eater One riding lawn mower. This is less than 32 inches (81.3cm) wide, which means it will fit through most ordinary garden gates.

In contrast, the X749 lawn tractor from John Deere’s X700 Ultimate Series is more than twice as wide, at 64.5 inches (163.8 cm). Incidentally, the X700 will set you back about 14,000 so you would definitely want more than a flapping tarp to protect one of those if you were to buy one.

So, obviously, you need to ensure that the lawn mower storage shed is a suitable size to accommodate your current or intended lawn tractor or riding mower. But also bear in mind that if there is a chance that you might upgrade to a bigger model at some time in the future, you would be well-advised to make allowances for that as well.

You should also consider whether you have, or are going to purchase, any lawn tractor accessories or attachments that will need to be stored in the shed. This can make a big difference to the size required. Take a look at Simplicity attachments to get an idea of what you might need to plan for.

Finally, decide whether you need any shelving or storage space for tools, spare parts etc. and allow enough room for those too.

Storage or workshop?

Even if you only intend to use the lawn mower storage shed for storing your machinery, you should still ensure that you design in enough room around the lawn tractor so that you can comfortably get on and off and carry out any necessary inspections and simple maintenance tasks.

If, however, you want to carry out more substantial maintenance tasks inside your shed, you will need to:

Make sure there is enough room to manoeuvre a jack or lawn tractor power lift around the shed, as you will need to get to the blades, belts and other parts underneath the tractor.
Perhaps even think about incorporating an inspection pit in the floor. While this involves more initial effort it will be safer and allow for some size savings.
Install power for your tools and for lighting. Ensure that the lighting is good enough to enable you to work comfortably and safely at all times.

Surroundings

If you are going with the simple storage solution, you will ideally need an area of hard standing outside your shed because there will be times when you’ll need to jack up your machine for servicing, blade and belt changes and so on.

Also, locate your shed where there is room to turn your lawn tractor around and to easily manoeuvre it in and out. Take into account the characteristics of your machine. Some of the best lawn tractors can turn much more tightly than others.

Points to take away

Return from Lawn Mower Storage Shed to the Storage Shed hub page

What’s the Best Small Shed for a Lawn Mower?

If you don’t have actual acreage in your yard, you probably just need a shed to store a few garden tools, such as a leaf rake, shovel, hand tools and such. For any size yard, however, you will need a lawnmower of some type and a shed to protect it. You don’t need a huge shed, but you do need something. What small shed will suit your needs?

First of all, the size of your mower will dictate somewhat the size of the shed you need. You’ll probably need a larger shed for a riding mower than for a walk-behind mower, whether gas or electric.

For any mower, you will need a solid, protective shed that will keep it out of the weather and keep it away from moisture that will condense on the metal parts, causing rust and perhaps corrosion on the electronic parts.

For any riding mower, you’ll want at least a five by five-foot space, and probably a larger one to provide some room to move around. Remember that you’ll also want to store other tools in there and maybe some shelving as well.

The main thing is to provide a dry, protected space for your lawnmower. Your gas can be stored in cans or containers made for gasoline, but a better idea is to use as much of it as possible just before storing your mower for the winter. It’s always best to start mowing in the spring with fresh gas, not gas that has been sitting around for months.

Can You Keep a Lawn Mower in a Shed?

It’s fine to store your mower in a shed. Owning a mower is one of the main reasons many people buy a shed in the first place. You can also store it in a basement or enclosed garage. However, if you have a riding mower, the basement may be out. You may find that it takes up too much space in your garage as well. A shed is usually the most common storage solution for a mower over the winter unless it’s small enough to hang from a wall.

Is a Plastic Shed for a Lawn Mower a Good Idea?

A plastic or vinyl shed can be very useful for storing and protecting your lawnmower if you get the right kind. Those made of resin material are usually more resistant to UV rays and the damage they may cause. The walls and roof are usually thick to provide at least some insulation. Plastic sheds usually do last quite a long time as well. Of course, you don’t have to paint them every few years as with sheds with some other types of siding.

One thing you do need to do when seriously considering a plastic shed is to check out those offered by a few manufacturers. While the manufacturers are being more careful in making their sheds out of more quality materials in response to customer needs.

You will still need to look at some samples to check out how they are constructed, how well the parts fit together, and what different models offer in terms of whether or not they come with a floor or at least grooves meant to hold a floor to be installed later.

Many people have had problems assembling plastic sheds in the past because some of the parts just did not fit together as they should have, leaving gaps or even preventing some parts from being connected at all. This problem is being addressed more and more at the factory level in response to complaints, but it still can crop up.

It’s best to deal with a company that has been in business for several years and has a good track record, even if it means paying a little more. A bargain shed is no bargain if it turns out that yours will leak because two of the walls won’t join as they should.

What are the Different Types of Lawn Mower Storage Sheds?

The most popular small sheds are made of wood, plastic or metal. Most small sheds can be purchased pre-built and delivered to your home, then set onto the foundation that you provide. Some home improvement stores offer these. Kits are also available for those handy enough to construct them, especially the plastic sheds.

Inspecting samples gives you a good way to look carefully over the options and see how well each model is constructed. It also solves the problem of estimating how much room a particular-sized shed may be. You may think that a six by six-foot shed is plenty big enough until you actually walk into one.

You surely don’t want to purchase a shed and then wish you had bought a larger one. If you live in your home for any length of time, over the years you will accumulate more and more things that you need to store in it, so getting a shed that seems too large now will not be too large down the road.

With a plastic or resin shed, look for one that comes with a floor or has grooves that allow for a floor to be put in. This will allow you to keep the mower (and other tools) off the ground. Remember that bare dirt absorbs moisture and that it will get into your shed and onto your tools if you have a dirt floor. There are some other options and I go over them in my article What’s the Best Lawn Mower Storage For Outside ?

Do You Have to Drain Gas from Lawn Mower Before Putting in Shed?

It’s a good idea to do this. Leaving fuel in the gas tank over winter leads to problems. Over time, the gas will start to form corrosive deposits on fuel tanks and lines, and carburetors. It also clogs up the fuel filter.

There do seem to be a lot of different methods to deal with the gas in a mower over the winter. The best thing would be to follow the instructions of the company that manufactured your mower engine, which will likely be a different company than the one that manufactured the actual mower.

How to Prepare Your Lawn Mower for Storage

When storing your mower for the winter, you’ll want to check the battery. Clean any corrosion you see on the battery posts and connectors, which usually looks like a whitish powder. Take care not to get the powder on your skin or in your eyes.

You can use battery cleaners made for this or use an old toothbrush loaded with baking soda. Be sure to protect your eyes and hands when doing this and wipe off the baking soda with a dampened cloth when you’re finished.

Charge the battery fully, then take it into your house and store it in a clean, dry space. A battery charger will save you money over the long run-in order to do this. You’ll want to recharge it before reconnecting it in the spring, and a time or two during the winter if you have long winters, as it does lose some charge even just sitting in your house for months.

Clean all dirt and grass clippings off the mower, especially on the underside. Grass clippings attract moisture over the winter and can be a great place for rust to form. You’ll also want to lubricate the mower and change the oil and oil filter. Check the air filter to see if it needs cleaning or replacement. While you’re at it, go over all the belts to check for damage.

If you have an electric mower, check all the connections and remove the battery. Clean your mower thoroughly before storing. Store the battery in your home, no matter the type. For lithium-ion batteries, check the manufacturer’s instructions on storage and recharging.

You might want to raise up your mower and prop it up by putting bricks under the frame in several places. This will keep pressure off your tires over the winter and keep you from getting flat spots in the tires.

Can I Use Gas Stabilizer and Leave Gas in Lawn Mower?

There does not seem to be any firm consensus about this. If you do leave gas in the tank over winter, it is recommended that you run any old gas out of the mower, then mix stabilizer with fresh gas, and run this mixture through the mower long enough to make sure the stabilized gas has worked all the way through the carburetor and fuel lines.

Some prefer to empty the tank after this, then run the mower out of gas. Others recommend filling the tank back up afterward so there is not enough room for the gas to expand or leave space for humid air to work its way in and contaminate the fuel.

A good rule of thumb is to contact the manufacturer of your lawn mower engine and follow their recommendation if it isn’t already spelled out in the included instructions. Remember that the manufacturer of your mower probably won’t be the same one that built your mower engine. Many brands of mowers, for instance, feature Briggs Stratton engines. You’ll want to see what the engine manufacturer has to say.

Conclusion

Having a shed for your mower and other tools keeps them out of the way when they are not needed. They also provide security, as most can be locked. You won’t be tripping over your mower in the garage or trying to haul it out of your basement in spring. Sheds will pay for themselves over time with convenience and security. They are a good idea for those with yards.

This is the best small lawnmower for your tiny yard

Get the best home decor ideas, DIY advice and project inspiration straight to your inbox!

Thank you for signing up to Realhomes. You will receive a verification email shortly.

There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

If you only have a small yard, but it is too much to maintain with a weed eater, you need to invest in the best small lawn mower. A heavy-duty mower is probably overkill — in price, noise, and size — for your tiny yard, but there are plenty of compact mowers designed to maintain smaller spaces. In fact, we reviewed an incredible lawnmower from Worx, that we can’t help but rave about — it did wonders on our small yard.

While some small lawnmowers are gas-powered, this one works on two batteries to be kind to the environment — and so that you never run out of power. Small lawn mowers offer different mulching options so that you can feed your lawn as you mow, and this one that we love gives you the choice to either bag it up or mulch your grass back into the ground. The best part about it? It costs less than 300, it’s available at Amazon AND right now it’s actually on sale. Need we continue?

Yes, the Worx WG779.E Power Share is pretty amazing. Our reviewer loved it and found it so easy to use to trim her unruly but small lawn. It’s a great option for people who have an ample lawn, but lack the space to store a larger machine as it folds, and even if your yard isn’t small (we’re jealous!) it can be used to mow up to 1/8 acre (AKA 5000 sq ft). Wow!

Reasons to buy

Reasons to avoid

The Worx Power Share 40-Volt 14-in Mower is small but mighty. At only 29 lbs, this mower is easy to move around, and even lighter when you remove the batteries for storage and transit.

Equipped with patented torque technology, you have the capability to increase the power of this mower to Turbo if you’re cutting thick grass (but remember, this will use up more battery). For regular use, we found Eco mode was competent, especially for regular trims. The cutting base is 14 inches across and there are six height adjustments that range between 2.5 to 3.5 inches with an easy-to-use lever for height adjustments. You can either mulch your grass or bag up to.85 bushels before a ‘full bag indicator’ alert notifies you it’s time to empty the bag.

To get started, simply insert the safety button, depress then pull the handle lever and you’re ready to mow. The Worx lawnmower runs on two 20V 4.0 Ah batteries. Power Share advertises that this mower can mow 5,000 square feet with just one charge. However, this wholly depends on various factors like the thickness or height of your grass. Just keep an eye on the battery meter to know when you need to juice up and keep spares on charge. We found it capable of doing a good half hour or more of mowing before it was time to recharge which is plenty for the average yard.

So while we think this is the best small lawn mower, as we’ve already mentioned: you could find it a good choice for a larger yard too.

You can read our full Worx WG779E 40V Cordless Lawn Mower review for more.

How to choose a lawn mower for your small yard

If you have opted for a small lawn mower then it is likely your main concerns will be around how much power and ease of use you can get into a compact package. At one time, electric lawn mowers, including cordless battery-powered models were quite big and heavy to accommodate large battery packs for optimal run time. Luckily, technology has advanced and things like more efficient batteries and brushless motors mean you get greater run time in a smaller package.

Next, consider the cutting width. Most range from 12 inches to 21 inches. It might be tempting to go smaller for ease of movement and storage space limitations, but with edge-to-edge cutting, even the largest model on our list is a great choice if you are looking for a particularly compact lawn mower. That said, bigger will tend to mean weightier, so if you are concerned about lifting — perhaps due to a bad back — take the narrower model and be prepared for a couple of extra runs of your yard.

Finally, if storage is your main reason for buying the best small lawn mower, look at foldable options. Many compact lawnmowers have a foldaway handle and don’t forget the grass box. Our favorite one has a soft material grass box that flattens down. Some mulching mowers have no grass box at all.

Tips for getting the most from your small lawn mower

Lawnmowers aren’t as scary as you think. They’re easy to use if you know the right tips and tricks.

Energy reserve You don’t want to be halfway through mowing your lawn only to discover that you’ve run out of juice. If you purchase a gas-powered lawn mower, make sure you top up before each use and have a gas container with gas stored in your garage or shed in case you need more.

For those who buy a battery-powered lawn mower, you might want to consider buying a backup battery. The harder a battery-powered lawn mower has to work (like a lawn where the grass is higher or thicker), the quicker the battery will die out. If your main battery runs out of charge mid-way through mowing the lawn, just pop in the backup battery.

Never mow a wet lawn If your lawn is wet from morning dew or rain, make sure you wait until it’s dry before you mow the lawn. For one, wet grass is heavier so the lawn mower won’t be able to cut the lawn to the best of its ability. Dry grass stands straight up making it easier to cut. Secondly, wet grass clippings can damage the mower which is an easy way to ruin your day.

Clean the lawn mower deck Every once in a while, turn the lawn mower over and clean under the deck. Grass and grime can build up under there and on the blades, making your lawn mower less effective over time. If you have a gas-powered mower, make sure the gas tank is empty and the spark plug wire is disconnected if you decide to clean the deck with the garden hose. It’s not a bad idea to blow off the lawn mower with your blower after each use.

Be careful what you mow over Before mowing your lawn, try to pick up sticks and other debris that could ruin your lawn mower blades. It’s best to avoid stumps and vines as these can also damage or get wrapped around the blades.

Grass clippings are good for the yard Although some people hate the sight of grass clippings left on a yard, they can actually be beneficial to your yard’s health as they’re a natural fertilizer. A mulching feature on a lawn mower is a good option because it breaks down leaves and grass and helps it to decompose quicker. That said, bagging clippings – especially weeds or grass that’s really high – could be helpful at certain times.

How we review small lawn mowers

Yes, this small lawnmower has been tested by a Real Homes reviewer. Our Content Director of Lifestyle Ecommerce tested it for us in her backyard, and as you can already tell: she loved it.

Lindsey has been writing about homes since 2013, when she joined the Homebuilding Renovating team. Now, she spends her time reviewing and managing several homes titles, including Homes Gardens and Livingetc, helping with best practices for our ecommerce content.

Lindsey reviewed the Worx lawnmower back in 2023, and when speaking about it says “With an impressive battery life, good range of movement, and edge-to-edge cutting, this cordless lawn mower is great value for money. Easy to use and store, I almost can’t wait to mow the lawn again”.

What type of mower is best for small lawn?

Definitely go for a smaller size lawnmower, and one that’s cordless if you can for total convenience, otherwise a corded model will still work. just check its cord is long enough to reach around your lawn. Try and get one that folds if you don’t have much storage space for your lawnmower, and do consider its cutting width — the higher this number, the faster you’ll be able to mow your lawn. But remember, the bigger the width of the mower, the bulkier it will be to store. We’d always say to go electric over gas for the environment and for convenience and ease.

Can I use a trimmer instead of a lawn mower?

If you want to follow the “won’t take up any room” route to its logical conclusion, it may be tempting to just use your trimmer instead of a lawn mower. After all, if it’s just a small lawn, how hard can it be? Trust us, it’s very hard work, and you won’t get an even trim no matter how hard you try. Even tiny lawns need lawnmowers, although if yours is really very small, a hand-push one will probably suffice.

If you really don’t want to mow though, don’t! We love the look of a wildflower meadow — as do any garden visitors like bees and small creatures.

Where to Store Your Lawn Mower?

Properly storing your lawn mower can go a long way to making sure it stays in great shape and continues to work as it should every time you wheel it out onto your lawn. And given that buying a lawn mower is often a meaningful investment (I definitely had to save up for a while to be able to buy my last one), you want it to last as long as it possibly can.

If you’re wondering “where to store the lawn mower” to have the best chance of it staying healthy, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to discuss several lawn mower storage ideas in this article and help you figure out which solution is the best fit for your home setup.

The #1 Option is Either a Garage or a Garden Shed

No messing around here – we’re getting straight to it. Without a doubt, the best place to store your lawn mower is in a garage or a garage shed if you have one.

Why? Well, there’s a whole number of reasons.

Protects Your Mower From Harsh Weather Conditions – Firstly, either of these options will keep your mower nice and dry year-round. That’s very important if you have an electric mower for obvious reasons, and equally important if you have any other type of mower, as moisture will lead to corrosion of metal components. And once that happens you’re going to be paying out for repairs. The indoor environment of a shed or garage will also protect your mower from extreme temperatures (neither freezing cold nor boiling hot conditions will do your mower any good), as well as strong winds.
Keeps Your Lawn Mower Secure – Both a garage or a shed represents a secure option for storing your lawn mower. We’ve already mentioned that lawn mowers are often costly acquisitions, so you want a storage spot that’s going to prevent 3 rd parties from having access to it and potentially stealing it. Put a lock on the door and rest easy!
Easy to Access – You don’t want to spend half an hour digging your mower out from under a pile of crap every time you need to cut the lawn. Garages and sheds are designed to store these sorts of tools and the fact that your mower will have its own spot will mean you can easily grab it when you need it. No drama, just mowing.
Keep the Mess Out of the House – Unless you’re going to spend 20 or 30 minutes cleaning down your mower after each session, there will likely be some clippings stuck to it somewhere (probably underneath the deck) and maybe some mud on the wheels. But that’s ok when you’re putting it in a garage or shed. Perfectly acceptable. But would you want to be trailing that mess into your home?!

Where to Store a Lawn Mower If You Don’t Have a Shed or Garage

Obviously, not everyone is fortunate enough to have a garage or the outdoor space needed to put up a shed. If that’s the situation you find yourself in, below we’re going to outline a number of other lawn mower storage options that you might be able to use instead.

Basement

If you don’t have access to a garage or shed, storing your lawn mower in the basement is your next best option. It ticks most of the same boxes in that it is a sheltered environment that protects the mower from weather threats and it’s a secure spot to store your four-wheeled friend.

There are a few downsides to this arrangement though that you need to be aware of. Firstly, you’ll have to carry your mower through your house. If it’s a basic push reel model or perhaps a small electric mower this won’t be too challenging, since both options are relatively light in weight. But if it’s battery-powered or a gas mower, maneuvering it down to the basement without making a mess or doing yourself any harm will likely be challenging.

The other thing to bear in mind is safety. If you have a gas mower, you’ll need to drain it of gasoline before you store it, otherwise it poses a safety risk. And this extra step can add quite a bit of time onto the process of cutting your lawn.

In summary, storing your lawn mower in the basement is not a bad option if you have a lightweight mower that is not gas-powered, and access to the basement is straightforward.

In a Storage Box Outside

You might have a very small lawn (so no space for a shed) and have no garage or basement. If this is the case, your options start to get pretty limited. One solution could be to buy a storage container specially designed to store outdoor tools such as lawn mowers. They are typically made of some sort of durable plastic, so keep your mower protected from the damp and most other weather threats (although it won’t insulate it from more extreme temperatures), and they’re often not much bigger than the mower itself, so only take up a little space and can be stashed somewhere out of view.

Outside (Under a Cover)

If you find yourself in the situation that we just described above and have very little money to spend, an option you might like to explore is buying a high-quality waterproof lawn mower cover and storing your mower in the yard. When space is at a premium and if the local climate is fairly consistent year-round (and it rains sparingly), this can work. But we’d really only recommend this if all other options are off the table. And even then, if other people have access to your yard, it can be risky to store a mower outside.

If you only have a very small lawn, but have an electric or gas mower, consider trading it in for a push reel mower. Manual mowers are very small, so it’ll be easier for you to find it a home when storage space is at a premium, and they’re more than capable of maintaining small areas of grass.

What if None of These Options Work?

Even though these are all pretty good options and will work for most people, they are not going to work for everybody. Say you live in an urban setting. Your lawn isn’t as spacious as a suburban yard, and you don’t have the room to store a lawn mower outside or have the luxury of a basement or a shed. So, what can you do? Well, there’s only one place left: inside your home. Now, I know lawn mowers can be dirty, and they give off an odor that isn’t going to work in your lounge. But there are ways around this. The first is to pick a lawn mower engine type that doesn’t smell like a battery power lawn mower or a lawn mower that doesn’t require an engine.

Secondly, if you only have a very small lawn, you can pick up a very small mower. Lawn mowers, like electric or reel mowers, come in some pretty small designs and need very little cleaning. A few minutes, and it’s clean and ready to be packed away. The only thing I would suggest is that you store the lawn mower in a good-quality tote box so that any grass clippings you missed cleaning won’t stink up your home.

About Tom Greene

I’ve always had a keen interest in lawn care as long as I can remember. Friends used to call me the “lawn mower guru” (hence the site name), but I’m anything but. I just enjoy cutting my lawn and spending time outdoors. I also love the well-deserved doughnuts and coffee afterward!

JUSOF.COM