Less Noise, More Green: Winter Tool Care

Monday, December 29, 2014

Winter Tool Care


Winter Gardening  Tool Care


Seasons Greetings! I hope you had a joyous and peaceful Holiday with those that you love. Ours was just the right mix of family chaos and quiet at home time!

As we move beyond the busy Christmas week, I have been able to cross off an important gardening chore from my list - taking care of my tools. My tools are constant companions during the growing season and are crucial to the success of my garden so they deserve a little love and attention as they go into storage for the winter.


Winter Gardening Tool Care

Caked in soil (and in some cases rust) and covered in sap and plant gunk, my tools needed a good cleaning and conditioning. Not only is upkeep important for the longevity of the tools but disease can stay dormant in soil and plant material. The last thing I want to do is reintroduce disease to my plants in the spring.

Winter Gardening Tool Care
The supplies I used were a wire brush, steel wool, a whet stone, mineral oil and a clean cloth. You can also use a light sand paper to smooth out any wooden handles but my wooden tools didn't need that this year.

Starting with the wire brush, I used it to remove any soil and tough rust from the metal surfaces. Next, I used the steel wool to remove any stubborn rust or stains.

Whet Stone, Winter Gardening Tool Care
The whet stone has a rough side and a smoother side.

Whet stone, Winter Gardening Tool Care
 Working with the angle of the blade, I sharpened all the cutting edges on the tools. This is especially important for the shovel and spade. Did you know that most shovels and spades are dull when you buy them from the store? The shears received a sharpening, too. I used the steel wool again just to smooth out any jagged edges.

All metal and wood surfaces received a coat of mineral oil for conditioning. I also applied a coat to the mechanisms and joints of the shears to keep them lubricated over the winter.

Winter Gardening Tool Care
Here is the result - what a difference! Clean, conditioned and ready for use in the spring. Tools that are dirty and dull can damage plants by not performing as they should, not to mention placing strain on your hands, arms, shoulders and back.

Winter Gardening Tool Care
I store my tools in my basement over winter as our garage floor becomes covered in snow and corrosive salt from the cars. If you leave your tools in the garage, you can provide additional protection by pushing the tools into five gallon buckets of sand mixed with 3/4 of a quart of mineral oil. They will be nicely conditioned when you need them. At minimum, store your tools off the ground.

Cleaning tools is not the most glamorous job in the world but there are real benefits to making the effort and as a frugal and sustainable gardener, I want my tools to last!


Sue

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1 comment:

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