Super Eco

Photo credit: ms.lume on flickr

I love my garden tools. They are trusty old friends, some of which are actually older than me! The outer appearance of tools can be deceiving—I have purchased rusted old trowels with damaged handles that still possess valiant hearts of hardened steel and whose classical design and strength I prefer to newer versions. Tool maintenance is a very Zen activity—a practice which focuses the mind and celebrates the simple and functional.

Here are some things you will need:
1. Gloves (I prefer non-latex versions).
2. Safety glasses (your eyes are worth it!).
3. A simple face mask to protect you from breathing dirt, rust and dust.
4. Steel wool or a wire brush to clean the rust and dirt off of metal.
5. Some household cooking oil; I use safflower (I prefer this to smelly 3-in one oil).
6. A soft cloth for buffing and applying oil to handles.
7. An outside workspace (I prefer outdoors because of the dust generated).
8. It never hurts to have on hand a piece of sandpaper for smoothing splintered handles.
9. A sharpening stone and diamond files.

First I pick a sunny day, put a tarp on my picnic table and get to work. The wooden handles on tools need to be sanded and oiled about once a year. Wiping the handle clean, use fine sand paper to smooth the surface. Wipe down and oil, let the oil soak in and wipe again. Fiberglass and synthetic handles just need to be washed and dried.

Once a year I clean metal surfaces with simple soap and water. Dry thoroughly then clean with steel wool or a wire brush to remove rust. Not all rust will come away on very old pitted tool, but this is OK. Apply a light coating of oil, wipe away the excess and you're done. I prefer not to use petroleum based oils—better for me, better for the environment.

Pruning and cutting tools will need to be sharpened at intervals throughout the season. You will need to use a sharpening stone and/or some diamond files for this purpose. This is a great primer.

Between usages always wipe down and lightly oil your tools before storing in a in a nice dry area (basement, garden shed, garage).

Have fun and I'll see you over the fence!