As autumn gives way to winter, gardeners are being urged to prepare their sheds for the cold months ahead. A gardening expert has highlighted three items that should never be left in a shed over winter, as freezing temperatures can cause irreversible damage.
Sam Jenkinson, a garden shed expert from retailer Tiger, told Wales Online that batteries for power tools such as cordless drills and hedge trimmers are particularly vulnerable. “Batteries can lose their charge or degrade if left in the cold, reducing their lifespan or making them unusable by spring,” he warned.
Paints, glues, and other finishing liquids are also at risk. Jenkinson explained that these products can freeze, separate, or lose their effectiveness when exposed to low temperatures, sometimes causing containers to crack or leak and damaging nearby items. He advised moving them to a frost-free indoor location.
Smaller metal items like drill bits and saw blades can rust in damp conditions, while lubricants may thicken. Jenkinson recommended storing these in a dry, frost-free place until the weather warms up. The Royal Horticultural Society also suggests pruning fruit trees and bushes in December, using sharp, sterilised tools to prevent disease.
