Gardening tools are essential to the success of any grower, allotment holder or market gardening operation, but they can be expensive investments. To ensure that your tools last as long as possible, it's important to maintain them properly.
In this blog post, we'll share some tips and tricks for garden tool maintenance that can help extend the life of your tools:
1.) Clean and Dry Your Tools
One of the most important things you can do to maintain your garden tools is to keep them clean and dry. After each use, wipe down your tools with a damp cloth to remove any dirt or debris. Then, let them air dry completely before storing them. Moisture can lead to rust and corrosion, which can damage your tools over time.
2.) Sharpen Blades and Edges
Sharp tools are more efficient and less likely to cause damage to your plants. Regularly sharpening the blades and edges of your garden tools, such as pruning shears and shovels, can help them cut cleanly and precisely. You can use a sharpening stone or a file to sharpen the edges of your tools.
3.) Oil Moving Parts
Many garden tools have moving parts, such as hinges and springs, that can benefit from a little oil. Applying a small amount of oil to these parts can help reduce friction and prevent rust. Be sure to wipe away any excess oil to avoid attracting dirt and debris.
4.) Store Your Tools Properly
Proper storage is essential to the longevity of your garden tools. Store your tools in a dry, well-ventilated area to prevent moisture buildup. Hanging tools on a pegboard or wall-mounted rack can help keep them organised and easily accessible. Additionally, storing tools in a covered container or bag can help protect them from the elements.
5.) Replace Broken or Damaged Parts
Even with proper maintenance, high quality garden tools can become damaged or worn out over time. It's important to inspect your tools regularly and replace any broken or damaged parts, such as handles or blades. Using damaged tools can not only be dangerous but also less effective in the garden.
6.) Oil, Stain or Treat Wooden Parts
Wooden handles and parts of your tools can make tools lighter, more attractive and often allow you to change handles to your requirements. However wood can easily become a weak part of any tool, you can extend the longevity of wooden parts of tools by sanding them and applying a weather proof oil or stain at the end of each growing season. This will prevent water getting into the wood which can lead to splitting or rot.
In conclusion, proper maintenance is key to extending the life of your garden tools. By keeping your tools clean and dry, sharpening blades and edges, oiling moving parts, storing them properly, and replacing broken or damaged parts, you can help ensure that your tools are ready to use season after season.
Taking care of your tools not only saves you money in the long run, but it also helps you work more efficiently and effectively in the garden.