by Terry Baldwin

Created on: February 04, 2010

Spring is coming and so is the new gardening season. But before you go out there and start digging, you should take an inventory of your garden tools. Some of them may need repairing or even replacing, others may require some good cleaning and sharpening.

To start, check the handles of all the hand tools. Wooden handles often dry out and get brittle. To make them stronger and to make them last longer, sand off any ruff spots to prevent splinters and then soak them in linseed oil. Wipe off the oil and let the tools dry. Tighten all the screws or put new screws in to prevent the tools from coming apart.

Clean off the tools in water. You can use a hard brush to scrub all of the dirt off. Most metal tools become rusty. In that case scrub off rust and rub the tool with some oil. Mineral or vegetable oil works well. It the rust is persistent you may have to clean the tool and rub it with oil several times during the gardening season.

Many tools such as shovels, or pruners need sharpening to perform well. Most home improvement stores offer tool sharpening service, but it is quite an easy job that you can do yourself. For sharpening use a metal file. Hold the tool's blade away from yourself and work the file in one direction.

Lubricate all pruning and trimming tools with WD-40. You should be able to squeeze them without much effort. If they are rusted, clean the rust and rub the whole tool with oil.

Power tools like lawn mowers need to be tuned up once a year. Tune up usually involves cleaning, changing oil, lubricating, checking belts, sharpening of the blades, and replacing damaged parts. Electric tools with a cord, like weed whackers need to be checked for cord damages. It is not unusual for the cord to get damaged. If the damage is minor it may be enough to wrap that spot with some electric tape. Otherwise you will have to replace the cord (or the whole tool).

Once your tools are clean and ready to go, organize them in a garden shed or the garage. The bast way to organize your garden tools is to hang them on a wall. You can purchase special hooks made just for that purpose. Well organized and more accessible tools will make your gardening a lot easier and you will get the job done faster.

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