The winter season is coming to a close which means a plethora of gardening tasks will soon be on our to-do lists! Before we dive right into the excitement of planting, garden maintenance, and harvesting, we first must take the time to set the stage for the performance that is vegetable growth. To be a successful gardener season after season, it is important to make time for garden tool maintenance. This blog post will be all-things preparation, an essential step in the gardening process that will help you stay organized and efficient!
Garden preparation can be divided into 4 parts:
- Tool maintenance
- Garden plan and schedule
- Raised bed and/or soil prep
- Individual reflection and goal-setting
Tool Maintenance
It is time to head to the shed and assess your inventory of gardening tools! Every gardener should be stocked with the essentials: gloves, a hand trowel, snips or pruners, a hand fork, a shovel, a garden hoe and a rake. Smaller handheld tools are used often and need to be maintained for comfortable use, effectiveness, and longevity! Sharpening and cleaning gardening tools also ensures plant health; rusted or dull tools can expose plants to bacteria and spread disease. While tool prep should be done at the beginning of every growing season, these steps should be followed any time you notice excess dirt or dullness.
There are three main steps in tool preparation/maintenance. The first involves brushing off built up dirt and sap. The second step uses a metal file and a sanding block to smooth any jagged or dull edges. The last step is sanitization and protection.
Disclaimer: Cleaning and sharpening tools should be done with gloves on to prevent injuries!
Materials: Steel wool, sanding block, metal file, bleach, mineral oil, rag, jar, bucket
- Cleaning: Use the sanding block and steel wool to remove buildup. Sanding motion should follow the direction of any blade and steel wool can be used for hard to reach areas.
- Sharpening: The metal file is used on the beveled or angled edge at the end of a cutting blade. Any nicks or dull edges can be smoothed out by laying the metal file flush with the angled edge and filing in long, downward strokes applying minimal pressure. Holding the file in the same position, file in a sweeping motion across the length of the edge (for curved blades, follow the direction of the curve rather than filing in a straight line). Once the edge is sharpened, turn your hand tool over and run the sanding block along the back of the blade to smooth any burled metal pieces.
- Sanitization: Mix 10 parts water to 1 part bleach and use either a spray bottle or dip newly sharpened tools in the solution to sanitize. Wipe off excess solution with a rag
- Protect: Using a separate rag, wipe the blade and the handles of your tools with mineral oil. Tip: for easier access, keep a mineral oil-coated rag in a glass jar!
Rust Removal for Springs
Materials: white vinegar, toothbrush, mineral oil
- Remove rusted springs from hand tools and soak in vinegar overnight
- Use an old toothbrush to scrub off rust
- Wipe with mineral oil and place back into the hand tool
And there you have it! Your garden tools are sharp, clean, and ready to use! If you find yourself with extra time or if the weather makes it difficult to work outside, take care of your tools- your plants and your wallet will thank you!
Upcoming in the Cultivation Conversations Blog you’ll hear all about updates to our website and more on gardening preparation!