In his weekly Jamie’s Little Allotment column, Gayton gardener Jamie Marsh explains how to look after your tools…
I have been thinking a lot this week about how easy it is for our tools to get overlooked once the main rush of the growing season is behind us.
When the beds are cleared and the last few crops are lifted it is tempting to stash everything in the shed and forget about it until spring. I have been guilty of that more times than I care to admit.
It’s a good time to sharpen blades and oil your gardening tools
The trouble is that a bit of care now can make such a difference when we get going again next year. I started with my secateurs because they are probably the tool I reach for most. Mine had a few dried leaves stuck in the hinge and the blades were nowhere near as sharp as they should have been.
A little warm soapy water soon lifted the grime and I used an old toothbrush to get in around the spring. Once they were dry I wiped the blades with a tiny bit of oil. It really does not take long and you can feel the difference as soon as you use them again.
While I was at it I checked the pruning saw and the loppers. Both needed a clean and the loppers needed their blade tightening. Next were the shears. These need sharpening properly or they will chew rather than cut.
Looking after your tools is important
I have a small sharpening stone from my electrician days and it works just as well on garden blades. You run the stone along the edge following the angle of the metal. It only takes a minute or two per blade.
A lot of people prefer to get their shears done professionally and there is nothing wrong with that. A proper sharpening can make old tools feel completely new. The lawn mower also caught my eye because I saw Ron give his a full scrub the other day while I was working at his house.
He had it on its back giving the underneath a real good clean. I hardly ever clean mine and watching him put me to shame. Mine is a battery mower just like his so tipping it over is no problem but if you have a petrol mower you really do have to be careful.
Fuel and oil can leak or end up in the wrong place so always check the manual before flipping it over. Once the underside is clear you can get to the blade. It is surprising how much grass builds up around it.
Taking the blade off can be tough sometimes and sharpening it is another job that really needs doing right. If you are not confident it might be worth letting a professional do it.
Winter is the perfect time to send a petrol mower away for its annual service. New oil new air filter and a clean spark plug can transform how smoothly it runs. I worked through the rest of my tools with the same slow and steady approach.
The hand trowels and forks got a scrub and the wooden handles all had a quick wipe with linseed oil which helps stop them drying and cracking. The hoes had a fair amount of dried soil on them from the allotment paths so I chipped that off and gave the edges a quick tickle with the sharpening stone.
It felt surprisingly satisfying. There is something quite calming about sorting through things at the end of the year. The garden will soon be resting and in a way the tools should be too tucked away and ready for another long season ahead.
If you fancy doing the same, make yourself a cup of tea, get everything out on the patio and take your time. It is not the most glamorous gardening job but come spring you will be glad you did it. Everything feels easier when your tools are ready to go.
Email Jamie at: jamieslittleallotment@gmail.com
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