Getting Tools Ready for Winter

It's time to clean and sharpen your hand tools so they are ready to go next spring.

By Charlie Nardozzi

Even though the garden may be resting for winter, the avid gardener probably is not. One of the often-forgotten tasks for this time of year is cleaning and sharpening your hand tools. Your hand tools are essential helpers in a healthy garden, so they deserve some care and pampering once their main work is done. However, most gardeners just pile up their hand tools in a corner of the garage or shed after they're done gardening for the season and don't think about them again until spring.

It's better to give your tools some attention. Metal blades that have soil left on them may rust and eventually weaken. Blades that are dull won't cut as cleanly and easily next spring. Wooden handles that are dried out are more likely to splinter and break. Spending a little time now will extend the life of your favorite tools and make next year's work easier to do. Here are some chores to do on a fall day:

Wash off the metal blades of your shovels, spades, hoes, and rakes and let the tools dry. Check the joints where the blades meet the handle to see if they're loose and need adjusting or fixing.

Sharpen the blades of your spades, loppers, and other pruners. You can use a file, send them off to a service center or knife sharpener, or buy a simple, hand-held sharpener that keeps the edges crisp. Oil the moving parts of pruners with a light-grade, 3-in-1-type oil and wipe clean.

Clean any wooden handles and oil them with warmed linseed oil. The oil will help preserve the wood and extend the life of the handles.

Apply new grips to long-handled tools for easier use and less wear on your hands. These soft grips often slide onto the handles or have adhesive that sticks to the handles.

Consider painting the handles a bright color such as pink to help you find lost tools in the grass in summer.