Maintaining Your Garden Tools

You need tools to do gardening all the time. Maintaining them and cleaning them is a big part of taking care of the garden, Using the right tools for specific tasks—such as hand trowels for planting ensures that garden work is well done and there is less damage to your plants. The list of tools used in gardening is very long. The important thing is to keep them clean after you use them. Specially at the end of the season when the garden is going to be closed for the winter.

Work doesn’t end once the planting is done; keeping the tools clean is vital for their longevity and the garden’s health. Remove all soil and debris in the tools using a stiff brush and water, as dirt can trap moisture and lead to rust. For a deeper clean, especially after pruning diseased branches, it is a good idea to disinfect the blades with isopropyl alcohol to prevent spreading pathogens.

Finally, applying a light coat of mineral oil to metal surfaces and linseed oil to wooden handles will keep the tools sharp, smooth, and ready for the next growing season.  Tools that are well taken care last a long time. Replacing tools can be an expensive ordeal. It is better to prevent damage by taking good care of them.