Dennis Patton: Take care of your garden tools and they’ll take care of you

Tools are a necessity for gardeners. They help us do many tasks in the garden, from digging a hole, chopping out pesky weeds or snipping a bouquet of flowers for the table. What would we do without them? We would be lost.

But many of us treat them with no respect. We leave them outside in the elements, standing in a corner or thrown in a heap covered with dirt and grime. That is no way to treat our investments, our most important garden accessory.

Now that the season is over we might want to take some time and properly care for our garden tools. By doing so now, they will be in good shape when the spring gardening bug hits and we are chomping at the bit to get back outside and spend some time in the garden. As they say, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

▪  Fix it or throw it out!

While we’ve all used a broken tool for a lot of things, it’s always a poor substitute. They can also be downright dangerous. Resolve right now that you will replace that broken handle, repair that broken part or just throw it out. Replacement handles can be purchased at hardware stores. Honestly, I have found that sometimes it is more expensive to repair a handle than to just replace the entire tool.

▪  Keep it clean.

Some might think dirt and mud protects your tools from the elements, but it actually traps moisture causing rust and corrosion. Metal parts and blades can be washed with water to remove excess dirt. A wire brush is a great tool to help remove the hard, stuck on mud. Once clean, wipe the metal surfaces down with a protective oil coating. Wooden handles benefit from a coat of tung oil or linseed oil to help protect them. If the handles are rough or have splinters, give them a hand sanding first. There is nothing worse than getting a splinter.

▪  Sharpen tools.

You have probably heard it said that a dull blade is more likely to cut you than a sharp blade. Dull blades require more force that can lead to an accident. A sharp blade will create a clean cut, which is better for the plant and also makes your life easier as less effort is needed. Take time to sharpen mower blades, knives, shovels, hoes, pruners or any other garden tool that slices or dices. Sharpening can be done at home with a grinder or a file with a little work. Many local hardware stores will sharpen tools for a few dollars if you prefer.

▪  Give your tools a home!

I should be the last one to give this recommendation. Please don’t talk to my wife. She will tell you I have tools scattered through the garage and basement. But if you create a designed space it is helpful in locating them when you need them. There are many wonderful solutions to garden tool storage, from simple and easy. such as a designed bucket, to detailed racks and panels. Pick something that fits your needs. In my defense, my shovels go into a bucket of sand that keeps them clean, all the hand garden tools are in my tool bucket and assorted rakes hang on the wall.

▪  Keep a wish list!

As they say, “Christmas is coming.” What guy or gal does not need a new tool? It seems you just never have the right one for a job. Take a few minutes and make a tool wish list. There’s nothing wrong with dreaming. A list of desired tools can come in handy when its birthdays, anniversaries, or Christmas time. Be ready when opportunity presents itself, as often we forget what we need when asked.

Take some time to properly clean and store your tools as it not only protects your investment, but in the long run makes your life so much easier.

This story was originally published December 7, 2015 at 11:17 AM with the headline "Dennis Patton: Take care of your garden tools and they’ll take care of you."