Maintaining Your Gardening Tools in Winter

The old adage ‘to keep one’s blade sharp’ seems more often heeded by assassins than gardeners. When it comes to gardening tools, many gardeners tend to shove everything into the shed haphazardly and forget about them. By the time spring rolls around, many tools lie in a state of disrepair: some have acquired a layer of rust, while others have been ransacked by pests. 

Even though it’s admittedly a boring task, it’s just as important to take the time to maintain your tools as it is to buy high-quality ones. Below are a few tips to follow to ensure that your garden tools last for years to come. 

 

 

1. Clean Tools Thoroughly   

There’s always that gardening tool so encrusted in grime that its parts have completely melded together. The first step is crucial, as it prevents rust and detritus from accumulating. At the very least, rinse your garden implements with a forceful jet of water to wash away mud, then lay them into a sunny place to dry. The final step is to bring them into the house and store them all in a toolbox, where the cool, dry conditions aren’t conducive to rust. 

• Scrub away dirt: Use a wire brush to remove caked dirt. 
• Wash with warm, soapy water: Soak in water to loosen and wash away any remaining debris. 
• Disinfect tools: Take the additional step and disinfect your tools – a preventive method that eliminates the chance of disease. Use a diluted bleach solution of 9 parts water and 1 parts bleach to disinfect your tools.
• Wipe them dry: Dry with a clean towel to prevent rust. 

2. Replace Broken Tools  

When it comes to gardening tools, it’s better to be proactive than to wait until a minor issue progresses into a full-blown problem. If it’s even a little broke, fix it – don’t wait until it’s on its last leg. The devil’s in the details, which is why it’s important to inspect your tools for any signs of damage: cracks, loose bolts, or splinters. Some handles are replaceable, while bolts will need to be tightened. Replace any lost tools or those that are broken beyond repair. 

3. Dealing with Rust

Rust, the bane of gardeners, is relatively easy to remove. Pruners, shears, and loppers are susceptible to rust and corrosion and should be sharpened to stave them off. Although rust removal methods vary depending on the gardener, it’s best to avoid chemicals. Before resorting to chemicals, try using a single edged razor or a wire brush to scrape away rust, then with a light oil like WD40. 

For surface rust removal, a coat of mineral oil is recommended. If you’re dealing with an extremely rusted tool, a solution of citric acid or vinegar also works in the short-term, though it’s not ideal for a long-term solution. For long-term rust prevention, it’s better to use oils, waxes, or commercial rust protectants. To further extend the life of your tools, look for those made from stainless steel, such as this hori hori knife. 

4. Sharpen Blades and Edges 

Kill the time by keeping your blade sharp during the winter. A sharpening stone (also known as a whetstone) or file can add a shine to those dull edges. This tutorial demonstrates how to sharpen tools while this file goes into detail the sharpening methods for various tools. In general, to sharpen a tool, draw the beveled edge along the stone at a 20-degree angle. Although many gardeners tend to head to the store and buy a new pair of shears, sharpening your tools will help them last longer and save you money. 

5. Oil the Handles 

An often-forgotten aspect of tool maintenance is inspecting handles for cracks. Rub wooden handles with boiled linseed oil to maintain their strength and prevent cracking. If the handle is cracked, replace it. 

Preparing Additional Gardening Tools for Winter 

Tool maintenance isn’t just limited to hand pruners, rakes, and shovels. Below is a list of additional gardening tools to tend to in the winter. 

• Lawn Mowers: Power tools, such as lawn mowers and leaf blowers, may require additional care. To winterize your lawn mower, run it until the fuel runs dry; allowing it to sit will cause the chemical components to degrade and the alcohol to corrode the rubber and plastic parts. If you’re using stabilized fuel, then you don’t have to do anything – it’s better to keep the tank full. 
• Battery-Powered Tools: For battery-powered lawnmowers, remove the battery, clean it, and store it in a dry location (smaller ones can be stored in cardboard boxes). 
• Raised Garden Beds: It might not seem that there’s much to do for raised beds, but there’s still a variety of tasks needed to winterize them. Remove any stakes, trellises, or implements from raised beds. Leave the soil in place, but amend with compost and a thick layer of mulch to protect it from cold winter temperatures. Spent seed heads and twigs can be left in place for winter interest. 
• Wheelbarrows: It’s better to store your wheelbarrow away than leave it unprotected against the harsh elements – keep it in the shed or garage. Before storing it away, add grease to the wheel bearings to keep them freezing or seizing up from the cold.