Taking Care of Garden Tools

Gardeners are aware of the money they have put into their garden tools. Because of this, it is important to take care of these tools so that they are useful for many seasons to come. Most of the care these garden tools require can take place during the winter months, giving the gardener something to do when it is impossible to spend time in the garden or it just is not time to get out there and work. Renovating and repairing garden tools are not difficult tasks and can be done by just about anyone who has the gumption to simply do it.

Tasks that can be done by gardeners to prolong the life of their garden tools include sharpen hoe blades and shovels, sand and repaint steel parts, replace wood handled tools if needed, oil or paint wood handled tools, check for loose connections, oil moving parts, sharpen blades, replace blades and store in dry place when not in use.

Sharpening a hoe blade or a shovel can be easily done with a grinder. Just be careful and sharpen the edges that are supposed to be sharpened.

Sand and repaint steel parts to rid the gardening tool of rust that can weaken or damage the steel that they are made out of.

Replace wood handles on garden tools if they are broken or cracked. However, if the cracked wooden handle is not bad enough to replace yet, it can be sanded and wrapped with friction tape.

Check all parts that can come loose and if they are loose tighten them. Look carefully at bolts, wires and screw that may have come loose due to the use they got during the last gardening season.

Moving parts will need to be oiled with WD-40 or something similar. Be sure to check all wheels, hinges and any other areas that move.

Sharpen any blades on lawnmowers or other cutting tools. Using these tools will dull the blades and make cutting more difficult and not as clean as a sharp blade will.

Replacing bent blades is another gardening task that can be done in the winter months when gardening is put on hold. Cutting blades that are bent will only cause troubles and will never cut cleanly.

After carefully renovating the garden tools you have, do not leave them out in the weather. Be sure to put them away in a place that will remain dry throughout the winter months.