Treat Your Garden Tools Well!

You might have started your gardening late this year since the weather didn’t turn warm until the recent weeks. Have you thought of cleaning your gardening tools after each use? It’s good to keep it as a habit since your plants also deserve to be treated with clean tools too. After all, contaminated tools can easily pass unnecessary diseases to your plants too. Here are a few tips to keep your gardening tools clean:

Shovels

Knock off any dirt and scrub stubborn areas with a wire brush.
Rinse with a garden hose and wipe the handle with a clean cloth
Apply floor wax to the wooden handle to keep it from cracking

Rakes

Remove excess dirt that is clogged in between, and wipe tines with a clean cloth.
Store with rakes pointing upwards to avoid bending the tips
For sharp edges tools, filed as needed

Pruners

After scrubbing off the dirt disinfect it by soaking it in a 1:10 solution of bleach to water solution, then dry.
Spread a coat of lubricant on the blades and gear, then wipe off excess oil, leaving a thin coat. You will also be pleased next time when you use it

Stainless Steel Tools

Try to pick stainless steel tools so it doesn’t get rusty quickly, although they can still rust if not properly taken care of throughout the year
During the winter time when you are not using your tools as often, an excellent way to store your tools is to stick them into the sand. The grains help keep the blades nice and start, while the oil prevents rust from forming

Containers

Don’t forget the containers. Plant pathogens like bacteria, fungi, and viruses cause diseases that can kill plants and can be transferred to and infect plants through bits of soil
Be sure to clean the entire pot, inside and out
You can consider using bleach, rubbing alcohol, or active ingredient with 0.1% alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium saccharine

Author: Susanna Leung

Susanna Leung’s goal as a real estate professional with Haylen Group is to help her first-time home buying clients find that perfect home where their families can grow, thrive, and live their dreams in the United States. She applies her experience in remodeling, resource networking, negotiations, and advanced marketing to provide her clients with dedicated, full coverage service.