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| Courtesy Google |
I have a dirty little secret. I have been gardening for years, but I am terrible at caring for my gardening tools! I leave them out in the yard, put them away unwashed, and rarely (if ever) sharpen them. This summer I decided to turn over a new leaf and learn how to properly care for my tools. Here is what I found out.
Caring for gardening tools is more important than we often think it is. Using tools that are dull or dirty can spread disease from one plant to the next as we prune.
Clean tools also last longer - providing a greater value over the life of the tool. And assuring that shovels and pruners are sharp get the job done more quickly and with less effort.
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| Courtesy Pixabay |
Here are some easy steps to keep your tools in tip-top shape.
1. Wash tools with a strong spray of water to remove all soil and debris.
2. Scrub surfaces with a wire brush or steel wool to remove any rust or stubborn material.
3. Dip tools in a 10 percent bleach/water solution after each use. Dry thoroughly.
4. At least once a year, sharpen the blades of all tools. Don’t forget to include shovels in this process. Watch this video to see how to easily and safely sharpen the tools.
5. Lubricate all metal surfaces with oil to prevent rust. We recommend using an inexpensive motor oil (or oil of your choice) to protect your tools from rust.
6. After caring for metal parts, don’t forget to inspect handles. Clean fully and remove any splinters from wood handles using a fine to medium sandpaper. Remove dust, and rub motor oil (or oil of your choice) into handles to prevent future cracking.
7. Tools (especially small ones) can be stored in a pot or bucket filled with sand and motor oil to keep metal well conditioned. A mixture of about a half gallon of motor oil to 5 gallons of sand will do the trick.
8. Store larger tools on a peg board or other organizer in a dry, well-ventilated area. If possible, avoid storing tools on the ground.
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| Courtesy Pinterest |
Tools should be cleaned and properly stored after each use. Include sharpening and lubrication in your schedule at least once a year at the end of the gardening season to assure that your tools are in the best shape possible for their full lifetime.
Additional Resources: CSU – Tool Tips, More Tool Tips
