When we purchased our new gardening tools, we will more than likely have a choice of low price and high quality tools.
The quality tools are designed to last for many years, but they must be cared for and regularly maintained.
Regardless of the quality, maintaining the garden tools on a regular basis will to assure that they will be ready to go to work on the next gardening day. We followed some basic rules, to add years of life and use to all the tools which were designed to make the gardening task more easy.
Tools Cleaning Tips:
1. Always remove all the soil from the digging tools after each use. Usually hosing them or put them in a bucket with water and let them soak for a while later its easy to remove sticky dirt and dried mud.
2. Do not keep the tools when they are wet. Let them dry completely before storing to prevent rusting and handle rot. Do put an oil into your wooden handle to preserve them.
3. Right after each use wipe the metal part of the pruners, shears, and other metal with a dry rag then next wipe with an oily rag.
4. Sharpen all the cutting tools as well as the blade of shovel and spading fork during the gardening season.
5. Thoroughly clean any tools which have been used for chemical applications. Fertilizers and other chemical will rapidly destroy any metal parts.
So, maintaining of all our shears, shovels, clippers, and others tools are very important to keep their life longer and stronger and ready for next gardening schedules. That’s how we care and love our own personal garden tools.
JJ
I just recently started my garden, and some of the things I thought were obvious are not so at all, so I appreciate tips like these. I usually wash down my tools after working in my garden, but I never thought of cleaning them from chemicals. I think I also need to clean the handles and wait until they are dry before storing them. Thank you for these tips. They are useful for a new gardener.
admin
Hello JJ,
Thank you so much for stopping by. Reading my article about My Gardening Tools – I Care and Maintain. Thank you for that you found helpful for you too. Just follow some tips to keep your tools stay longer and always ready to help your work in your garden. Thank you and best wishes,
Joyce
Rick Hanna
Great article and very timely as we will soon be heading into spring.
As a gardener, I can certainly attest to the necessity of keeping your tools in top working order.
I make it a habit of cleaning my tools before putting them away in the shed.
In the fall I give them a thorough cleaning, oil wooden handles and sharpen the blades on anything that has dulled so they are ready to go come spring.
I must say I as the temperatures are starting to warm I am getting anxious for the snow to melt so I can get my hands in the soil.
I will be starting some plants this week indoors for transplanting in May.
Thanks for reminding us all of the necessity of garden tool maintenance.
admin
Hello Rick,
Nice to see you here on my site. Reading my articles about my-gardening-tools-i-care-and-maintain/” >My Gardening Tools – I Care and Maintain. I’m glad that you find them helpful for you too. I noticed that you really care about your tools and the proper maintenance. So they are all ready for the next gardening season. Thank you very much, and I hope to see you again.
Joyce