Taking care of a garden requires hard work and the proper tools. They too need their special care if they are to continue to their best job for you and your garden. Here are some thoughts about how to treat them right. Read on, even if you are not an equal opportunity employer.
Good Old Reliable Rust
To avoid rust, store all small garden tools and the heads of your larger ones in a mixture of fine sand and old motor oil. Small tools will easily fit in a bucket while larger items may require a small tub. If rust has already formed, sometimes a light layer on tools can be removed by rubbing a mixture of 2 parts salt and 1 part pure lemon juice. Heavier rust may require the use of fine steel wool as well.
Tool Handles
A cloth soaked in boiled linseed oil will add life to those wooden handles. You can also protect your tool handles by slipping a piece of foam water pipe insulation over them. Secure it with some duct tape and assurances that no kidnapping or transporting beyond state lines will occur.
Tree Sap
A little rubbing alcohol works wonders on removing tree sap from the blades of your garden tools.
Blade Care
Saws, clippers and the like should be oiled regularly. Use either a good rust-inhibiting oil or a coating of petroleum jelly. Make your own slip-cover for saw, hoe and shovel edges by slitting a piece of rubber hose and placing it over the edges.
Lawn mower blades should be sprayed with cooking oil spray before each use. This helps prevent the grass clippings from sticking to it. Even if some do stick, they will now come off a lot easier.
Do YOU have any tool tips to share? Please do.
Related Reading:
“Don’t Go In The Basement Clutter”