Garden Shed Site Preparation

Install a garden shed to house all of your tools.

A garden shed is a useful structure typically used to store garden tools, pots, potting soil and various other supplies. Depending on the size of the shed, you may even have a work bench inside to use when potting plants or doing some other project. If you are thinking of getting a shed for your yard, decide on the size you need and where you will place it. Once that is determined, prepare the site for installation of the structure.

Things You'll Need

• Wood stake
• Measuring tape
• Twine
• Square
• Flat edge shovel
• Gravel
• 2-by-4s
• Nails
• Saw
• Hammer
• Plastic sheeting
• Concrete

Instructions

1. Mark the first corner of the preparation site with a wood stake, and use a measuring tape to locate the next corner, based on the size of the shed. Mark the second corner and run twine between the two stakes. Mark the third corner and form an L shape using a measuring tape and a square. The square will ensure that your angle is 90 degrees. Mark the fourth corner in the same way, creating a right angle.

2. Dig out the area with a flat edge shovel so that is it level. Dig down to the depth that you want the shed foundation plus three inches for gravel. Once you have that uniform all the way across the foundation area, slope the sides of the area down a bit further so that the concrete at the edges will be about an inch thicker.

3. Cut a two-by-four the length of one side of the shed. If you don't have one long enough, place two pieces end to end and nail a wood block between the seams to connect them together. Lay the board down on its four-inch side and nail wood stakes to the side every couple of feet so that the pointed end of the stakes stick down from the board. Repeat this process for all sides of the shed pad.

4. Place one of the side frame boards next to the string outline and use a hammer to insert the stakes into the ground. Check the board as you go to keep it straight. Repeat this with the other side boards.

5. Nail the corners of the board frame together to keep concrete from breaking through when it is poured.

6. Saw pieces of a two-by-four about seven or eight inches long and wedge them between outside of the frame and the ground. Place one at every stake.

7. Place plastic sheeting over the foundation area, and spread three inches of gravel in the site.

8. Mix and pour the concrete in the prepared site and smooth it with a flat edge. Allow it to cure for about a week.

Tips & Warnings

• A small garden shed isn't going to the need the rebar reinforcement that a garage would need. As long as the concrete is about four inches thick, you should be fine without it.

References

• BIY Today: Slab Prep
• Cedar Shed: Foundations