Garden Tools Maintenance

Q:  “ I never seem to have time to clean up my tools properly after the season…but then I’m not really sure what the “proper” way is. Any ideas?”

This is truly an important winter chore we all need to do, to add life to our tools. Tools are an investment and should last for many years. An old farmer told me a simple way to clean the blades on my shovels. Take a 5-gallon bucket and fill it about halfway with coarse sand. Top the sand off with some old motor oil. When the oil has penetrated the sand, push your shovel blade up and down in the oily sand until it comes out clean and shining. It also sharpens up the edge a bit. Any tool with a blade long enough to push into the sand can be done this way. Wooden handles need to be rubbed with very fine steel wool to smooth out any splinters, then rub it down with linseed oil. A good file will finish the process.

Small hand tools should be washed with soap and water, then dried well and rubbed with some oil.

Pruning tools should be washed well, and the blades filed to bring back the edge. Afterward, I rub mine with an oily rag.

Chainsaws, weedeaters, and mowers need to be maintained according to manufacturer’s directions, but they definitely do need maintaining.

No matter what tool you have, this simple procedure will work and you’ll be ready when spring comes.

Sherrie Ottinger, The Tennessee Dirtgirl