Care and Maintenance of Garden Tools
Garden tools are an essential part of garden maintenance, helping us weed, dig, and prune. To accomplish those tasks, the tools themselves also need maintenance to keep them working well.
In this article, we’ll cover general tips for tool care, keeping your tools in top condition. Look for other upcoming articles in this series on more specific topics, like sharpening.
Using The Right Tool
Using tools incorrectly can damage them and shorten their lifespan.
With pruning tools, this is especially important. If you have to use a lot of force, lean in, or strain, you probably have the wrong tool for the job, or the tool may be dull.
Putting undue pressure on a tool can weaken joints and snap handles and blades. Many pruning tools will list their maximum cut thickness, so size up to a larger tool when a branch is too thick. There are many pruning tools available, from snips and hand pruners (secateurs) to loppers, pruning saws, and power saws, each suited to different kinds of cutting tasks.
Using the right tool applies to other areas too. Cut wire with wire cutters. Dig up soil with a trowel or a spade. Adjust sprinklers with a screwdriver, crimp things with pliers, and only use a hammer when you need to hammer something.
Resting Tools Between Tasks
It’s important to rest tools safely while you are using them.
Larger tools can take more punishment, but they can still be damaged, particularly by repeated falls to the ground. Tools left lying around also increase the risk of stepping on them, which risks injury to you and damage to the tool.
Smaller tools are more prone to damage. Cutting tools can be damaged by grit and soil if left on the ground, and hand tools can be missed, leaving them out in the rain or snow. Tools left in the lawn can also be hit by a mower, causing additional damage.
It’s beneficial to stand tools up when not in use. Firmly plant spades and garden forks in the ground for short breaks, and lean rakes – tines in – against a sturdy vertical surface wherever possible. Keeping them upright also limits ground exposure, which can reduce rusting and damage from damp.
For smaller tools, consider investing in a tool bucket or a toolbox, so tools can be kept together and off the ground. You may also want to consider a tool apron, which can be handy for keeping clothing clean.
Moving Parts and Fasteners
Most tools have some kind of connection, whether that’s a pivot on pruning shears or a bolt holding a spade head to the shaft. Regularly inspecting these areas can prolong the life of the tool and prevent early failure.
Check moving parts for gunk that might be gumming up the movement. Tree sap and even mud can cause friction. Restoring movement may need a cleaning solvent, but generally a brush or a wipe and some water will remove debris, and a light oiling will restore clean motion. Wipe off any excess oil afterward, especially in dusty climates, as oil attracts fine grit that can gum up the pivot again.
Fasteners often work themselves loose over time. Tighten loose screws and bolts, but don’t overdo it. On pruners, the pivot bolt should be snug enough to remove side-to-side wobble without making the blades stiff. For removable fasteners like screws and bolts, watch for rust in addition to loose fitting. Rust can prevent fasteners from being removed when it’s time to switch blades or heads. A penetrating oil can help free a rusted fastener, and an anti-corrosion spray can help stop rust forming in the first place.
Other fasteners, like rivets, can also wear thin over time, causing movement in tools like spades. If a lot of movement is present, the spade head is at greater risk of snapping from the handle, which can injure you. Some riveted tools can be repaired, so it’s worth exploring your options before you replace damaged tools.
Storage
Just like us, tools need a roof and usually some walls to keep out the inclement weather. Sun, rain, snow, and even wind can prematurely damage tools.
Ideally, store tools in a fully enclosed space like a shed or garage, as this helps to control their environment, protecting them from the sun, wind, and weather events. Avoid damp spaces, as tools in direct contact with damp surfaces can absorb moisture, causing swelling and cracking in wooden tools or rusting in metal tools.
Always dry tools before storing them. You can wipe them down with an old towel or leave them to dry in a sheltered area.
Walls and floors are common sources of damp, so hanging tools on wall-mounted racks, or keeping them in raised containers, keeps them off the floor and lets air circulate around them, reducing the risk of damage caused by damp. For lightweight and smaller tools, a sturdy nail may be strong enough to hang tools safely.
Long-Term Storage
For off-season storage, additional steps can keep your tools in good condition. Thoroughly clean and dry all your tools, paying attention to removing debris and rust as much as possible. Once clean, coat metal surfaces with a corrosion inhibitor or a suitable oil to maintain their condition for the next planting season. Wood surfaces can be cleaned, prepped, and sanded, and then coated with a suitable oil.
It’s also important to sharpen pruning tools, oil moving parts, and look for tools that might need replacing, as the off-season is a great time to find new equipment. For a more in-depth look at removing rust and all the steps to oiling your tools for next season, look for an article coming later in this series.
Wrapping Up
A combination of ongoing and long-term maintenance will keep your tools in top condition. This will benefit you and your garden, as tasks can be accomplished more quickly, helping you stay on top of things.
Watching for rust and damage, staying on top of things, and having adequate storage for your tools and equipment will keep them in your garden for years to come.
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