Pruning is a lot easier when your tools are in good condition. Shears and loppers with sharp blades give cleaner cuts that are less damaging to plants. To clean and sharpen your pruning tools:
- Use an emery cloth to clean dirt and sap off the blades. Emery cloth is a flexible, cloth-backed abrasive, like sandpaper.
- Sharpen the blades with a sharpening stone or fine-toothed file. Hold the stone or file at a slight angle to the cutting edge of the blade and push it away from the blade. Do this in only one direction all along the blade. Check the sharpness by cutting a piece of paper.
- After tools are clean and sharp, coat the metal parts with a light lubricant or oil to help them work smoothly and to prevent rusting.
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