Top Garden Tool Tips for Winter

Clean blades of cutting tools, like pruners and loppers. For large chunks of dried sap, scrape blades using a piece of metal with a straight edge. If pruners have sticky pitch or sap residue, wipe blades using a cloth dampened with paint thinner. Once blades are clean, dry them with a clean cotton rag.

Now is the perfect time to clean up garden gloves. Nitrile-coated gloves can be hand washed or tossed in the washer and line dried. Slip your hands into gloves to inspect for holes. Recycle worn gloves as scarecrows or garden fence ornaments. Brush dried soil from leather gloves. If seams are splitting, consider sewing them to extend the wear.

Remove dried dirt from tools using a stiff-bristle brush. If rust is present, sand it off using 80-grit sandpaper (for light rust) or steel wool (for heavier rust). Wear safety glasses and gloves when removing rust. Sharpen edges of digging tools like spades and shovels with a file.

Apply a thin coat of oil to clean digging blades, especially steel ones, to prevent future rust. Mix one quart of motor oil (nondetergent 30W) with 2 cups kerosene or lamp oil. This thins the oil so it’s easier to wipe or spray onto tools (use a spray bottle sold for household cleaning). With a rag, apply only enough oil to coat metal surfaces — you don’t want it dripping off the tool. The small amount of oil on tool blades breaks down quickly in soil, so no worries about contaminating garden soil.

Replace broken handles on garden tools. Save old handles for stakes or to create measuring sticks (mark off the handle in 6-inch increments) for planting. Handles still useable? Click the link below to learn how to restore the wooden varieties.

Use a stiff bristle brush to remove any lingering sawdust from pruning saws. If sap or other residue is visible on the blade, wipe it with a rag dipped in paint thinner. Dry the tool with a clean cotton rag. Once dry, wipe down pruning saw blades with a layer of motor oil thinned with lamp oil or kerosene. Use a ratio of 1-quart non-detergent motor oil (30W is fine) mixed with one pint of lamp oil. The layer of oil forms a barrier between the metal blade and air to prevent oxidation and rust formation.

Sharpen hand pruners, loppers and other cutting tools. Using a whetstone isn’t too difficult; simply follow the directions that come with it. You can also try specialized tools featuring a diamond, ceramic or high-carbon steel sharpening edge. Look for these honing tools online or at garden centers.

Apply a light coating of oil or lubricant to cutting blades of pruners and loppers. Spray on the oil or wipe it on with a clean cloth. Rub it off lightly with very fine-grade steel wool. Be sure to spray lubricating oil into joints and moving parts of cutting tools. Create a tool oil by diluting 1 quart of 30W non-detergent motor oil with 1 pint of kerosene or lamp oil.

Check wooden tool handles for rough spots or splinters. Sand away problem areas. Wipe down handles with linseed oil or paste wax to preserve the wood and help prevent splitting or cracking.

Don’t overlook wheelbarrow handles when you’re treating tools. Sand off any rough spots and wipe the handles with linseed oil or paste wax to prevent future cracks or splits.

Take time now to organize and hang garden tools. Put everything away before the spring garden frenzy arrives. Create new storage places for new tools. Hanging garden tools gets them off the floor and out of the way — and makes it quite easy to grab and go.