How Do You Maintain Hoes, Shovels And Other Garden Tools?
Gardening tools often get neglected and rarely see proper maintenance. With the rising cost of all goods you can save yourself some money by maintaining your tools. Proper maintenance will not only make them last longer but it will also make them work better. The first step is to remove excessive amounts of dirt and debris with a wire brush. There is no need to get the tool excessively clean just remove the majority of dirt and make sure the edges you are going to sharpen are clean. Dirt will clog your file. Next use a file to sharpen any edges. Make sure to take your time and hold the file at the same angle the edge naturally has. Only push the file forward do not pull it back. Files only work in a forward motion and pulling back does nothing but dull the file. After you have got a good fresh edge on your tool apply a liberal coat of linseed oil to all wood and metal surfaces. The oil will help keep wood from splintering and metal from rusting. Let the oil sit for a few minutes while
