How to Keep Garden Tools Sharp and Rust Free

Many gardeners will tell you they're only as good as their tools. You'll save money in the long run by paying for good equipment, which will keep their edge with a little maintenance.Keep your tools free of rust and dirt and don't leave them lying around. This is as important to successful gardening as plant selection and weeding.Store them on hooks on the wall of your garage or tool shed, or a protected part of your back wall or fence. Don't let the rain hit them as even foggy air can rust your tools.Follow these easy steps to keep them sharp and rust-free.

Things You'll Need

• 5-gallon pail or bucket
• Lid or cover for the bucket
• Fine sand to fill pail
• Used-motor or cooking oil (or other viscous oil)
• Rags

Instructions

How to Keep Garden Tools Sharp and Rust Free

1. Place your pail near where you store your tools. If at all possible, this should be indoors.

2. Make sure the pail has a lid of some sort to protect the contents and keep out any critters that might get curious. The lid can be as simple as a board and a brick or two.

3. Fill your bucket with sand to within three or four inches of the top. This gives you enough depth to immerse your tool heads and provides enough weight to keep the bucket from falling or shifting.

4. Fill your bucket of sand with enough oil to thoroughly saturate the sand up to the top. Remember: There's more space between those grains of sand than you realize.

5. At the end of a gardening session, rinse your shovel, spading fork, hoe, trowel and any other digging tools. Make sure they are cleaned of all garden products and soil.

6. Shove the working end of the tool into the bucket until it is completely covered. Remove slowly from the bucket. Do this four or five times until the tool is thoroughly cleaned and oiled. Wipe the excess oil from the tool with a rag. Leave a light, protective layer of oil. Now hang your tool in its proper place.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the greasy rag to rub over the wooden surfaces of any tool. This will oil the wood and protect it from the elements.

• Always wear gardening gloves while working--they'll protect your hands AND tools.

• Keep the lid on the bucket when you aren't using it. You don't need any drowned rodents (or pets) in your bucket. Don't allow children to play with this bucket.

• Wipe the tools thoroughly. Don't allow them to drip oil on the floor.

Resources

• Rodale's All-New Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening: The Indispensable Resource for Every Gardener
• Ames True Temper Gardener Spading Fork
• Fiskars Big Grip Trowel