A question the Sage hears often
I went to move a large rock in my garden (not a boulder, but bigger than my hand) and found a key underneath it. I've lived here for ten years and I didn't put it there. It doesn't fit my front door. What should I do?
In short: Most hidden keys are spares left by a previous owner, often for a shed, a back door or an old padlock. Try every lock on the property, ask former owners or neighbours, and if it does fit a door to your home, change that lock. Then enjoy the little mystery!
The Sage replies…
What a fun little mystery
A hidden key under a garden rock is a classic hiding spot, and you're certainly not the first person to find one. Before worrying, put the kettle on and play detective.
What it's most likely for
After ten years, the most likely answer is that a previous owner or a tradesperson hid a spare and forgot about it. Common culprits are a back or side door, a garage or shed, an old padlock, a gate, a mailbox, a garden storage box, or a lock that has since been replaced.
How to solve it
Try every lock you own. Back door, garage, shed, windows, gates, padlocks and mailbox.
Look at the key itself. A brand name or number can tell a locksmith what kind of lock it fits.
Ask around. A previous owner, a long-time neighbour or your real estate agent might remember a hidden spare.
Ask a locksmith. Many will happily tell you what kind of lock a key belongs to.
When to think about security
If the key fits any door or gate on your property, change that lock. If you have no idea how it got there, a locksmith can rekey the outside doors for peace of mind, usually for much less than replacing the locks. And from now on, skip the rock: a lockbox or a trusted neighbour is a much safer home for a spare key.
And if it fits nothing at all?
Then keep it! Hang it on a ribbon by the back door, or tuck it in a jar with the story written on a tag. Every old house deserves a little mystery, and one day it may just make sense.
With a wink and a twirl,
— The Dancing Sage
Try this
The ten-minute key hunt
Take the key on a walk around your property and try it in every lock you can find, from the shed to the mailbox. Make a note of anything with a keyhole you'd forgotten existed.
A question to take with you: What little mysteries or stories does my home hold?
From The Dancing Sage's bookshelf: Simple Joys Colouring Book
40 relaxing illustrations for quiet moments, or a colouring afternoon with new friends.
Get it on Amazon.ca →Keep reading: Am I Too Old to Start Something New? · Let Joy Be Simple
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The Dancing Sage offers friendly, everyday advice, not professional counselling, medical, legal or financial advice. For anything serious, ongoing or urgent, please reach out to a doctor, counsellor or someone you trust. If you or someone else may be in danger, contact local emergency services.