The best gardeners store and maintain their garden tools with great care. One of the less talked about secrets to a successful garden is the tools needed to foster a healthy and beautiful garden. The following are some tips to keep your valuable garden tools harm-free and working in your garden for many, many years.
Garden hoses and hose reels
The garden hose is one of the most valuable and most used tools in the yard and garden. The serious gardener will have a strong and flexible garden hose, one that can be attached after use to a garden hose reel. To prevent cracking, the garden hose should be drained in the fall, wound up on the reel, and stored inside for the winter.
Shears, Knives and Cutting Tools
Every gardener needs the right tools to cut and prune plants, shrubs and flowers. He plans to deep clean his power cutting tools at least every season, preferably twice a year. All hand shears and cutting tools should be well lubricated to prevent rust, an element that can be the deadly enemy of garden tools. Store garden equipment on hooks away from direct sunlight and the elements. It may not be necessary to store them inside during the winter, but make sure they stay dry and out of the reach of children when not in use.
Hoes, shovels and rakes
These types of tools are bulkier and more difficult to store than hoses or simple hand tools. After each use, spray each tool with a high-pressure hose to remove dirt, then dry and store upright on hooks. Most tools made in recent years are made of a carbon or stainless steel coating and should not rust easily. However, a light coat of oil in the fall will keep these metal tools rust-free for many years.
tool shed
Many home improvement stores now sell pre-made sheds for storing hand and power garden tools. It’s a good idea to store all your tools in the same dry place, and these types of sheds fit the bill. The most important aspect of the shed is simply keeping it organized. There’s nothing worse than opening a shed in the spring, only to have tools falling all over the place due to a lack of organization and proper planning. Instead, organize tools by size and function. This simple tip will save you a lot of frustration. It will also save you time and money since you won’t be replacing broken tools often.
A good collection of yard and garden tools can be an expensive proposition. With a little care and forethought, you
it should be able to maintain your garden tools for a lifetime of use.