After a hard day of toiling in the garden, you may not have the energy to scrub those hand held spades, tillers and other common garden tools. But if you prepare ahead of time, you can quickly build yourself a handy tool holder that will help you keep them clean as you work. This technique will also help you to protect the metal on your tools from developing rust.
Get a bucket that is big enough to hold all of your hand held garden tools, or at least the ones you use most regularly. Fill this bucket nearly to the top with sand.
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Pour 1 qt. of motor oil over the surface of the sand. Use a small hand shovel to stir the oil and sand together well. Be careful and stir very slowly at first so that you don't spill sand or oil over the edge of the bucket. Once the sand and oil begin to combine, it will be easier to mix the rest of the way.
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Plunge the metal heads of all of your garden tools into the oiled sand. When not in use, keep the tools stored in this bucket and keep the bucket in a shed or garage.
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Take the entire bucket to your garden or flower bed when you want to use the tools. After using the tools, dunk them in and out of the oiled sand a few times to clean off the dirt and replenish a protective, anti-corrosive layer around the metal. Then plunge them back into the sand for storage.
Tips & Warnings
There is no firm rule about how frequently the sand and oil mixture must be replaced, but it is a good idea to start with fresh sand and oil each spring. If the mixture becomes too dirty before the gardening season is over, you may need to mix up a second batch.
Do not store this open bucket in your home because the oil will give off a distinctive odor and it is hazardous to curious pets.
