It’s gardening time in Sun City Center and it can be a chore or a pleasure. Take the pain out of the job with well cared for tools. There’s few simple tips that will ensure that your gardening tools are in good shape when you’re ready to use them.
Your goal will be to fight moisture, dullness, and gunk. Here’s how to fight against your garden tools biggest offenders.
Rinse, scrub, and dry. Remove all soil off the tools. Tapping them will break up big clumps, but be careful not to chip them either. Next, you’ll want to rinse them off with your hose. If you need to, use a rigid-bristle brush to get it even cleaner, but go easy on the tool as you clean it. Once clean, dry them completely.
Keep oiled sand handy. Mix about ¾ of a quart of linseed oil or mineral oil in a 5 gallon bucket filled with sand. Linseed oil is good for your wood handles. Push the blades of tools into the sand. This protects and conditions the metal. Avoid motor oil. It will bring residual toxins into your garden.
Sharpen regularly. Dull tools are dangerous. You’ll want to revive all tools regularly. If it has a cutting edge, sharpen it. Next, oil it and using a whetstone or carbide sharpener, sharpen your tool at a 20 degree angle.
Store tools. You want to avoid moisture at all costs. Tools that have been left out will destroy them in time. Hanging them on pegs indoors will help to eliminate most of your moisture damage.
Inspect springs and hinges. In time, tools will wear out. Snapped springs and loose hinges happen. When sharpening your tools, check for anything that needs tightened or repaired. When it’s time to give it up, replace the tool.
I’m hoping that these tips will keep bring out the happy gardener in you. Are you looking for a home with enough property to garden in? Contact me, and I’ll show you what’s available in Sun City Center.