Even if the harshness of winter has not yet fully settled in certain regions of France, the time is unfortunately no longer for gardening. And to have tools in good condition next spring, we do not forget to maintain them. Let yourself be guided.
Gardening tools are investments that can be very expensive, especially if you turn to quality items. All the more reason to take care of it, since you want the tools to last over time. This is particularly the case for sharp equipment such as pruning shears and pruning hooks. The number one enemies of these tools are plant saps and resins. Indeed, without rinsing, these substances are, in the long term, corrosive for the blades of pruning shears and pruning shears.
Be aware that rubbing them with a soft cloth soaked in gasoline or burnt alcohol after each trimming session will do the trick. In addition, by this gesture, you will also avoid contaminating other trees and shrubs with possible diseases and parasites. So, before storing them in their box while waiting for the next gardening season, first think about disinfecting them by washing them with soapy water. And then, make sure the blades are still sharp. If not, I recommend sharpening them with sandpaper. If you use a sharpening stone, the pruner must be disassembled; take the opportunity to grease its mechanisms.
The equipment used for working the soil such as spades, rakes, shovels, hoes or even grelinettes also deserve special attention. As these instruments continually come into contact with soil, fertilizer and water, they oxidize very easily. And to protect them from humidity, but especially from cold and frost, it would be ideal to schedule their maintenance as soon as autumn arrives. However, nothing beats a good cleaning after each use.
With a quackgrass brush, start scraping off the dry mud that sticks to the head of the tools, taking care to remove the residue located between the interstices and each little nook. If there are rust spots, gently scrape off these oxidations with very fine sandpaper. Afterwards, wash the heads of the tools in cold water, then let them air dry before coating them with linseed oil. For the handles, specifically the wooden ones, get rid of any splinters by also polishing them with sandpaper.
It is difficult to do without motorized tools such as mowers if the exterior is lined with a magnificent lawn. Practical, but above all very easy to use, these machines still require a minimum of maintenance if you want to keep the equipment functional for years. For thermal models, tilt the device then remove all grass clippings and soil stuck to the casing and wheels of the mower using a garden hose fitted with a high-pressure jet.
Do not forget to disassemble the collection box to clean it thoroughly. For petrol-powered models, one oil change per year is essential. Remember that this operation should preferably be done with a lukewarm engine. Also empty the mower of its fuel reserve before putting it away. Finally, if the blade needs to be sharpened or changed, refer to the instructions in the user manual. In case you don't know how to proceed, entrust this task to a professional.
