Gardening is rewarding, but are your tools getting the care they need? Don't let neglect shorten their lifespan.
You're Probably Not Maintaining Your Garden Tools Properly. Here's How to Do It
Garden enthusiasts find joy in cultivating peak-season veggies, vibrant flowers, and luscious fruits. Yet, many overlook a crucial aspect: the maintenance of garden tools. It's not merely about enjoying the fruits of your labor; it's about ensuring your tools are in prime condition for the task. According to Bill Freimuth, founder of Centurion Brands, regular maintenance is key. "Regular maintenance keeps garden tools in good working order and helps them last longer. It only takes a few minutes in each gardening session to take care of your tools."
Give Your Tools Some TLC to Keep Them Sharp and Rust-Free So They Last Longer
Garden tools—including hand tools like trowels and shovels, bladed gear such as pruners and saws, and other essentials like hoses and wheelbarrows—require consistent care. Simple routines can drastically improve their performance.
Clean Your Garden Tools After Use
After finishing up in the garden, a hot shower and cold drink may be calling your name, but don't forget about your tools! Quickly cleaning them post-use helps them remain ready for your next gardening adventure while extending their life. Rinse tools like trowels, transplanters, hand forks, and shovels with a hose to remove dust or loose soil. For stubborn dirt, utilize a wire brush or putty knife.
Bladed tools, including pruners and shears, deserve special attention. Lightly scrub them with a nail brush and mild soap to eliminate surface grime. Dried tree sap stuck on blades can be removed using rubbing alcohol or a mixture of mineral spirits on a clean cloth.
It's essential to sanitize cutting tools. Use rubbing alcohol on cotton balls, a spritz of hydrogen peroxide, or soak the tools in a solution of one part bleach to eight parts water to kill any bacteria or diseases that may linger on the blades. Freimuth further emphasizes that keeping blades clean and sterile is vital. Otherwise, harmful fungi or infestations could spread to other plants next time you use the tools.
Once cleaned, dry your tools completely and protect them with a layer of mineral or linseed oil to prevent rust formation.
Keep Your Garden Tools Sharp
Sharp tools are crucial. They cut through stems and branches effortlessly, while dull blades make gardening challenging and more dangerous. "Dull tools make bad cuts," notes Phil Forsyth, co-executive director of the Philadelphia Orchard Project. Instead of investing in sharpness over time, consider purchasing high-quality tools from brands like Felco, Nishigaki, or ARS. These brands promise better cutting performance and blade longevity.
Investing in a pocket blade sharpener can also be beneficial. Compact and affordable, they allow for quick touch-ups in the field without needing to dismantle your tools completely.
However, when it comes to toothed tools like pruning saws, consider replacing dull blades rather than sharpening them yourself. Sharp and clean pruning shears help reduce the risk of disease spread among plants.
Store Your Garden Tools Properly
Proper storage is as vital as cleaning and sharpening. After tidying up your tools, ensure that they are stored in a dry, secure location. This could be a shed, garage, or even a large outdoor tool chest. Avoid damp or humid environments, as moisture can lead to rust.
Keep Your Garden Tools Organized
Maximize your space with vertical storage solutions. Utilizing hanging hooks, pegboards, or wall-mounted tool racks keeps longer tools off the floor and neatly organized. Freimuth suggests storing small hand tools with their handles up in a bucket filled with coarse sand or pebbles mixed with mineral oil, which helps prevent rust and protects blades.
If space is limited, consider options like deck boxes or slim outdoor sheds—opt for waterproof and lockable storage solutions for maximum protection.
Get the Rust Off Your Garden Tools
Rust doesn’t mean it’s time to give up on your tools. If you discover rust, try soaking the area in a vinegar-water mixture overnight. The next day, scrub it in a circular motion with steel wool then rinse thoroughly. Don’t forget to dry them completely and apply a thin layer of linseed or mineral oil to prevent future rust.
Even if you aren't the type to clean tools after every gardening session, performing a thorough cleanse at the end of the season ensures your tools are ready for action in the spring.
Investing time and effort into maintaining your garden tools pays off by fostering enjoyable and effective gardening experiences. Take these steps to keep your tools sharp, clean, and properly stored, ensuring they remain reliable companions in your gardening journey.