A favourite pair of secateurs, a well-used spade or a trusty garden fork can last for many years – sometimes even generations – if they’re properly looked after.
Garden tools work hard. They’re pushed into wet soil, exposed to sap and moisture and occasionally left outside when the weather turns. Over time, dirt, rust and blunt edges can make them less effective and more difficult to use.
The quieter months are an ideal time to give tools some attention, but a few simple habits throughout the year will make an even bigger difference.
Clean tools after use
One of the simplest ways to prolong the life of garden tools is to put them away clean and dry.
After digging, scrape or brush soil from spades, forks and hoes. If tools need washing, rinse them and dry them thoroughly before storing them. Leaving damp soil on metal encourages corrosion, particularly when tools are stored somewhere cold or humid.
Secateurs and other cutting tools may collect plant sap and resin. Wiping the blades regularly helps keep them clean and prevents sticky deposits from building up.
It’s particularly important to clean tools after working with diseased plant material. This reduces the chance of carrying pathogens from one plant to another.
Keep cutting edges sharp
Sharp tools aren’t simply nicer to use – they generally do a better job.
A sharp pair of secateurs makes a clean cut through a stem rather than crushing or tearing it, while a well-maintained spade or hoe requires less effort to push through soil.
Secateurs, loppers, shears, hoes and spades can all benefit from occasional sharpening.
Before starting, look carefully at the existing edge of the blade. Many garden tools are sharpened on one side only, so follow the original bevel rather than creating a new one.
A suitable sharpening stone, diamond sharpener or file can be used, depending on the tool. Work carefully and a little at a time.
If a cutting tool is badly damaged, chipped or difficult to dismantle, professional sharpening may be worthwhile.
Care for secateurs and loppers
Secateurs are among the most frequently used tools in the garden and deserve a little extra attention.
Remove any accumulated sap and dirt from the blades and check the pivot for debris. A small amount of suitable lubricating oil applied to the moving parts will help them open and close smoothly.
Check the central nut or bolt too. If it’s too loose, the blades may separate rather than cut cleanly; too tight and the action can become stiff.
Some makes of secateurs have replaceable blades, springs and other components. Replacing a worn part can give a good-quality tool many more years of useful life.
Don’t forget wooden handles
Wooden handles become dry, rough and weathered with use, but they can often be restored surprisingly easily.
Start by brushing away soil and allowing the handle to dry. Any rough areas or splinters can be gently smoothed with fine sandpaper.
An appropriate wood oil, such as boiled linseed oil, can then be applied sparingly to clean, dry wooden handles. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and allow the oil to soak in before wiping away any excess.
This helps protect the timber from moisture and keeps the handle comfortable in the hand.
While you’re there, check that the handle is still firmly attached. A loose or cracked handle should be repaired or replaced before the tool is used again.
Deal with rust before it spreads
A small patch of surface rust doesn’t necessarily mean the end of a garden tool.
Light rust can often be removed with an abrasive pad, wire brush or other suitable rust-removing tool. Once the metal is clean and dry, a light protective coating of oil can help reduce further corrosion.
Prevention is easier than restoration, however. Keeping tools clean, dry and under cover will do more than anything else to keep rust at bay.
Store tools carefully
Where tools spend their time between jobs matters.
Choose a dry, sheltered and well-ventilated place wherever possible. Avoid leaving tools lying on a damp shed or garage floor, where moisture can quickly affect both metal and wooden components.
Hanging larger tools from hooks or a rack keeps them organised, allows air to circulate around them and makes it easier to find the tool you need.
Secateurs and smaller hand tools are best stored clean and dry rather than abandoned in a bucket of damp gloves and plant labels.
And however tempting it may be after a long day’s gardening, try not to leave tools outside overnight.
Check for signs of wear
Every so often, give your tools a more thorough inspection.
Look for cracked or loose handles, damaged blades, worn springs and missing nuts or bolts. Check that spade and fork heads remain securely attached and that cutting tools open, close and lock correctly.
A damaged tool can be uncomfortable to use and, more importantly, unsafe.
Good-quality garden tools are often designed to be repaired rather than discarded. Before replacing an old favourite, see whether a new handle, blade, spring or other spare part is available.
A winter job worth doing
When growth slows and there’s less to do in the borders, set aside an afternoon for your tools.
Empty the tool bag, clean away the season’s soil, sharpen cutting edges and check handles and moving parts. It’s a satisfying winter job – and one you’ll appreciate when the busy gardening season begins again.
There is something rather pleasing about a rack of clean, sharp tools waiting for spring.
Looking after garden tools isn’t complicated. A little attention, given regularly, can keep them working well for years, reduce waste and save the expense of unnecessary replacements.
And when there’s pruning to be done or a border waiting to be dug, reaching for a familiar, well-cared-for tool makes the job all the more enjoyable.
Further Reading: My Garden Journal & Notes
