Prepare your garden tools for winter and add years to their life. As winter approaches, many of you are hard at work preparing your garden for cold weather. Hopefully, you've already planted that cover crop, applied a fresh layer of mulch and prepared your cold frames for fresh winter greens . You know that a little winter prep can really pay off when spring arrives, but don't forget that your garden tools need a little TLC as well. Here are some tips on how to keep them in great shape while they await the return of warm, sunny days. * Remove all dried or caked-on dirt with a wire brush, rinse and dry thoroughly. (Soak especially dirty tools in water first.) * Sharpen dull tools using a whetstone or file. Working at a 45-degree angle, start at the outer edge and move toward the center. * Sand off any rust spots with fine sandpaper or steel wool, and coat the metal with vegetable oil. * Wipe a light coating of linseed oil or paste wax on wooden handles to preserve them and prevent cracking or splitting. * Store hand trowels and other small tools in a bucket of sand soaked in oil to further deter rust, and hang rakes and shovels in an easy-to-access spot. * Bring water hoses in out of the weather and ensure that they're properly drained and coiled correctly (not kinked). Repair leaks with a hose repair kit which you can get at your local home or garden store. There's no need to buy a new hose - even leaky fittings can be replaced with minimal time, money and effort. * On your mower, be sure to clean and sharpen the blades (residue can encourage rust. Avoid storing gasoline in your mower over the winter; transfer it to your car's engine instead. That is if it is not 2 stroke fuel.
Good tools are expensive. Take good care of yours and they'll contribute to many years of productive gardening. Looking to replace one that's beyond repair? Try the Freecycle Network or visit garage sales in your area. ********************************************************************** This message and its attachments may contain legally privileged or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not disclose or use the information contained in it. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail and delete the e-mail. Any content of this message and its attachments which does not relate to the official business of Eraring Energy must be taken not to have been sent or endorsed by Eraring Energy. No warranty is made that the e-mail or attachment(s) are free from computer virus or other defect. ********************************************************************** [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
