| Maintaining Garden Tools |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-309 |
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Q: Got any tips for making my garden tools last longer? A: (from Jessie Mack Burns, Ask DIY Gardening expert) The best thing you can do for your tools is clean them regularly. By just taking a few minutes for maintenance after each use, you can ensure that your tools will continue to perform well for years to come. Materials: Rags
Linseed oil
Sand
Water
Bleach
Sponge
Bar soap
Lubricant spray
- Let's start with the lawnmower. After cutting your lawn, hose off any clippings that have become stuck to the surface of the mower. (This is especially important if the clippings were damp or wet when cut, which will cause them to become stuck in place and possibly damage the mower's surface.)
- You'll also want to be sure to keep the blades of your mower properly lubricated to ensure that they don't become worn from excessive friction. For more information on mower maintenance, check out the following link: www.diynet.com/DIY/article/0,2058,5187,FF.html
- For smaller tools, such as trowels and hand rakes, cleaning the surface immediately after use is also an important step. Leaving soil or other debris on the surface will cause the tools to deteriorate more quickly.
- Once you've cleaned the surface of your tools, apply a light coat of linseed oil to the blades to prevent rust. (This is particularly important in the joint area, which can easily become worn and cause the handle to break off the blade.)
- For tools with wooden handles that have dulled over time, gently sand the entire handle, then recondition the wood with an application of linseed oil.
- To conveniently store your tools and protect them from moisture, place them blade-down in a large container of sand mixed with a bit of linseed oil.
- If you have terra-cotta pots in need of thorough cleaning, simply mix up one part bleach to nine parts water and scrub them inside and out with a sturdy sponge. This will remove any salt deposits that have accumulated on the inside, as well as any algae buildup on the outside.
- With all this emphasis on tools, don't forget that your garden gloves also require regular cleaning to stay in good shape. For best results, rub the gloves thoroughly with a dry bar of standard hand soap until they're completely covered (don't forget the areas between fingers). Then immerse the gloves in water or place them under a running faucet and scrub off any debris or residue.
- And last but not least, the ubiquitous pruners. Keeping pruners clean is one of the best ways to prevent disease from spreading among your plants. But don't stop with a simple soap-and-water scrub: After cleaning the blades, apply a spray-on lubricant to the gears to prevent them from rusting.
RESOURCES :
For tools from the Gardener's Supply Co.
Gardener's Supply Company
Burlington, VT 05401-2850
Fax: 800-551-6712 -or- 80
Email: info@gardeners.com
Website: www.gardeners.com
A Gardener's Guide to Planters, Containers and Raised Beds
Model: 0806942436
Author: Chuck and Barbara Crandall
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.sterlingpub.com
Bulbs (The Time-Life Encyclopedia of Gardening)
Model: 0805003525
Author: James Underwood Crockett
Time Life Books
Website: www.timelife.com
Lawn Care for Dummies
Model: 0764550772
Author: Lance Walheim
Hungry Minds, Inc
(January 1998)
The Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses
Model: 0875961002
Author: John Greenlee
Rodale Press
(November 1992)
Your Backyard Herb Garden
Model: 0875969941
Author: Miranda Smith
160 pages
February 1999
Rodale Press
Red Oak, IA 51591
Phone: 515-242-0282
Colorful Container Gardens: Vibrant Schemes for Pots and Planters
Model: 1842153862
Author: Stephanie Donaldson
(May, 2001)
Southwater Publishing (The Manning Partnership Ltd.-- Imprint of Anness Pub)
Phone: 0-1225-852727
Fax: 0-1225-85282
Decorating Your Garden : A Bouquet of Beautiful & Useful Craft Projects to Make & Enjoy
Model: 0806994703
Author: Mickey Baskett
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