"Ed" wrote:

Got my new shed now on the allotment and am well pleased with it and use
it to store my tools (spade, fork, hoe, rake, etc.) and all the other
small bits and pieces that are essential for gardening work.

But should I lock the shed door with the key when I leave? Or just leave
it unlocked with the wheelbarrow upturned against it?

What do people here usually do?


Why don't you keep your wheelbarrow inside your shed, wasn't that the point
of having a shed, why leave it out in the weather... a door latch would be
better anyway, what will keep the wind from ruining your door and shed when
you're out with the barrow? As to a lock, it depends who typically goes on
your property (like delivery people), the size of your property, how far the
shed is from the road and neighbors, how visible it is to you and otheres,
and a number of other factors... only you can decide about a lock... but
remember, locks only keep honest folks out. I'd say it's pretty rare that
a neighbor will enter your shed to steal a shovel or rake but then I don't
know your neighbors Often a lock says "valuables inside" and may encourage
a break in from strangers. I have a large barn filled with very costly
machinery but I never lock it, instead I have insurance. My gardening shed
has a lot of much smaller items that someone may walk off with and
delivery/service people pass there in the normal course of ther job so I
keep that locked because even if they themselves don't take anything they
may mention what's in there to people they know. In any event everything of
value is covered under my homeowners insurance, all my tools are marked, and
I strongly recommend taking photographs of ones belongings regardless.