By Pat Dray
The Garden Spot
Pat Dray.
Last month we reviewed the tools every gardener needs. Now that everyone has their tools, let’s spend some time making sure that those tools are properly maintained.
Proper maintenance is important not just to make sure your tools last but also to ensure healthy plants.
There are two main areas for tool maintenance: cleaning and sharpening. Clean, sharp tools work more effectively, are easier to use and last longer.
All tools receive a quick cleaning between uses. This prevents spreading plant diseases and insects from one plant to another. Just like humans, plants can catch viral, fungal and bacterial diseases and become hosts for insects. A good example of this is with fungal diseases. Mold spores can live multiple years in the soil, so using a “dirty” spade to dig up a plant will only spread the spores to the next plant.
Good environmental practices, such as making sure plants are planted properly, will help maintain plant health and increase disease and pest resistance, but why have your hard work go to waste by spreading diseases with your tools?
I’m going to repeat myself here: all of your tools should be cleaned and sanitized after every use to remove any soil and disease-carrying residue. Once you remove any loose soil, follow with a quick prerinse to make sure all soil is removed. This is a good time to inspect your tools so that you identify any needed sharpening or repair before their next use.
Tools can be sanitized by wiping them down with rubbing alcohol or bleach. You may notice some rust on your shovels and spades; remove that with a hard scrub or gently with a wire brush, and treat them with a very light coat of machine oil. You should also give any moving parts a light rubdown with the machine oil to prolong their lives.
If your tools have wooden handles, a quick once-over with sandpaper will help maintain them. If a handle is split or broken, a replacement can be purchased at most hardware stores and easily installed.
All your tools should be sharpened before they’re put away for the season. For shovels and spades, a quick run over with a hand file should do. For lawn mower blades, it’s best to take them in for sharpening since this is usually done with a high speed grinder. Your pruners and loppers can be sharpened by any available specialty tool. No matter what type of sharpening tool you use, be sure to follow directions carefully and wear eye protection.
Once your tools are cleaned and sharpened, hang them in the garage or shed off the floor to help prevent any rusting. You’ll be happy you tackled this project in the winter so that come spring you can get off to a great, green start.
Pat Dray is a past president of the Orange Garden Club and a master gardener.
