Mar 19, 2024 | Garden News
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!
Feb 15, 2024 | Articles
Hello friends and gardeners! Welcome to the Biddeford Community Garden’s 2024 blog series. Here, you can read about the ways BCG is working to bring our mission statement to life and how you can get involved in these efforts! Featured topics include our community collaborations, upcoming events and workshops to attend, gardening tips, a focused installment on gardening’s impact on mental health, and much more!
At Biddeford Community Gardens, we are devoted to building and sustaining a vibrant, healthy, and equitable community through the creation of safe green spaces where residents can grow food in a supportive and educational environment.
The main focus of our work is to address food insecurity within our Biddeford neighborhoods. By collaborating with organizations like the Biddeford Food Pantry, Youth Full Maine, and the Bon Appetit Meal Program, community gardening is an opportunity to positively impact your neighbors. We encourage volunteers and donations of all kinds!
Education and inclusivity are important in our approach to community gardening and with the help of our Garden Team, supported agricultural opportunities can bring together our diverse populations. Not only does gardening restore weakened relationships with the Earth, it encourages awareness and understanding of those that share our place here in Maine. By including Biddeford’s City government, schools, and Nonprofits within gardening projects we hope to create a stronger localized food system that persists well into the future!
Along with this blog, our Biddeford Community website offers a number of resources to help you navigate our garden network. For new and returning readers, I encourage you to explore the site and learn all about BCG! For now, here is some general information found on our site:
Our current garden network consists of 4 main locations:
Mission Hill Community Garden– 39 Sullivan Street
Pierson’s Lane Children’s Garden– 61 Bacon Street
Rotary Park Community Garden– 550 Main Street
William’s Court Community Garden– at the intersection of South St. and Green St.
For more info on these gardens, click here.
Interested in getting involved, learn how to join BCG.
Want to support Biddeford Community Garden’s mission? Consider making a donation.
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About the the Author: Hello Biddeford community! My name is Faye Veilleux, I am BCG’s new student intern! I am a senior enrolled at the University of New England studying Applied Social and Cultural Studies, minoring in Environmental Studies and Philosophy. One of my roles will be to host this Blog so the Biddeford community can stay updated on the progress of our organization and when involvement opportunities arise! As another part of this blog series, I will be focusing discussion on the relationship between mental health and gardening. These posts will also include activities and resources you can use to better understand how the environment impacts your well-being. Just a few words about myself..I grew up in Southeastern Massachusetts and on the coast of Southern Rhode Island. While gardening was not an influential aspect of my upbringing or my community’s food culture, being in the presence of nature played a large part in my appreciation for all that it provides-both mentally and physically. As I continued schooling, I felt that the environment should always be a focus of my studies and eventually shape my career path. As a college student my educational and professional aspirations revolve around the study of food systems, the social complexities that come with American citizenship, and ways that our natural environments and food sourcing practices shape the health of our communities. I am excited to share with you my experiences with Biddeford Community Gardens and the ways this organization is not only educating about gardening practices but strengthening Biddeford through the promotion of new perspectives about food, the environment, community, and health!
