Having the proper tools can make a job much easier and when you have the proper tools you want to look after them so that they last you for many years.

The gardening season is coming to a close and it is time to put the gardening tools away. Before they are placed into storage the tools should be cleaned and maintained.

Remove all the dirt/soil and grime from the metal parts of the tool. The soil contains oxidizers which can corrode the metal. Remove the dirt by using a wire brush, a scraper, a pail filled with a mixture of warm water and 15 mls of dish detergent. Use the brush and soapy water to clean the tool. Dry the tool and then apply a thin layer of oil to the tool to protect it.

Another option would be to use a pail filled with sand mixed with enough recycled oil to moisten the sand. The metal part of the tool is placed in the moistened sand and stirred around in the sand to remove all the dirt. The oil in sand will coat the metal and protect it.

Don’t forget to lubricate any springs, or pivot points on pruners etc.

As you are cleaning the tool, inspect them for any loose screws, or nuts, and fix or replace any bent or broken parts.

Tools can also be sharpened before putting them away so that they will be ready for next season. Sharpen the edges of spades, shovels, hoes, digging forks, pruners, loppers, saws, etc. On spades, shovels, and forks the 20-30 degree bevel is on the inside edge of the tool and on hoes it is on the outside edge. Pruning tools should be sharpened by using one continuous stroke to the outer edge of the cutting edge so that the bevel is kept uniform.

As you are tending to the metal parts of the tool don’t forget the wooden handles. These can splinter if they dry out so wash the handle and lightly sand it and then rub the wood with linseed oil. When the tools have been cleaned and sharpened hang them in a dry place.

Drain all the water out of the garden hoses and loosely coil them or roll them on a hose reel, making sure that there or no kinks or sags in the hose. Sprinklers should be drained and stored in a dry space. Sprayers should be cleared and rinsed so there is no residue left of products that were used in the sprayer. Lubricate the moving parts and when done, hang the sprayer upside down so that any moisture will drip out.

Wheelbarrows, lawnmowers, tillers etc., should be cleaned before being stored. Remove all the dirt, grime and grease and fix any repairs. Paint chips and scratches should be touched and covered so that the metal is not exposed to the elements which can cause rust. Lubricate the wheels, tires and moving parts as needed. Gas lawnmowers, tillers, and other gas powered equipment should be drained for the winter.

Pots should be cleaned by removing the soil and washing them with a mild bleach solution. Washing the pots will prevent disease and pests for next season. Store pots upside down inside a building where they will remain dry. This is very important for porous containers made of terracotta or clay as the moisture and freezing temperatures will cause the container to expand and crack.

Properly cleaning and maintaining gardening tools, pots etc., now, will give you a head start on the next season!

–Jos 

Jos Van Hage is the owner of two Art Knapp Home and Garden Centres in Prince George:

• Highway 16 West at Kimball Road

• Highway 97 North at Northwood Pulpmill Road (closed for the season)