Fine-tune your tools for a better lawn and garden

We are at the start of the gardening season. At this time of year, we like to devote a Saturday morning to maintenance work on our garden tools.

We talk frequently about the joys of digging and hoeing; the rhythm of a spade digging into the soil, the smell of fresh earth, the feeling of a quality tool in your hands. All of this adds up to a satisfying digging experience. But what spoils it all too often is dull tools.

This is such an easy problem to solve: All you need is a good gardener’s file. I sharpen my hoe and my spade every time I take them into the garden. I just draw the file across the top of the spade or the inside edge of the hoe three or four times and again across the opposite side once or twice – just to remove the burr of metal that occurs there.

A shot of WD40 or equivalent works wonders, too. It will keep the blade clean and discourage the buildup of soil on it.

Lawn mower

It’s time to sharpen the lawn mower blade. It is important to do this, otherwise you’re cutting your grass with dull blades, and that means bruised and torn grass blades (recognized by a brown hue over the surface of the grass). You will use more gas as your lawn mower works harder to do the job. Bruised and torn grass blades are more susceptible to drought and diseases. A clean cut with a sharp blade causes less stress on the plants.

Also: Clean up the cutting deck by removing the build-up of grass clippings that line the inside of the cutting deck. Be sure to replace the oil. If it’s a two-stroke engine (which requires mixing oil with gas) consider exchanging it for a four-stroke – a cleaner burning engine that does not require you to add oil to it.

Cutting tools

Your grass/hedge/pruning shears also need sharpening and lubricating. Use a hone for sharpening and WD40 or equivalent for lubricating.

Clean off any rust with the lubricant or, if it is stubborn, use a soapy abrasive pad to do the job.

Wheelbarrows

Grease or oil the wheel and axle, paint the metal box if it is beginning to rust and paint or stain the wooden parts to prevent them from rotting.

While we’re on the topic of tools, let’s look at our top five picks, based on our many years in the garden. We can attest that these tips will save you time, money and help you to produce a fabulous garden.

1. Push reel mower. A push mower is easier on the ears and your lawn responds much better to the cutting action of a push mower, which is more like a knife, than a rotary blade power model. Choose a model that allows for a cutting height of two and a half inches (higher grass height equals deeper, healthier roots).

2. Hoe. Make it a daily routine to grab a sharp hoe and take a walk through your garden. A quick strike with the hoe helps to control young weeds before they become a more established problem. Allowing them to mature and put down a root always leads to more work.

3. Stainless steel spade. A quality digging spade is irreplaceable in the garden. The uses are endless: Planting, transplanting, edging… the stainless steel sheds soil, wet or dry, much better than other digging tools. Keep it sharp and the spade will do most of the work for you. Mark sharpens his every time that he uses it with a bastard file.

4. Pruners. Slip a pair of hand pruners in your pocket for your daily walk through the garden. Deadhead spent flowers and cut back “leggy” growth on a regular basis for optimum plant performance.

5. Soaker hose. We believe that water conservation is a top priority. Soaker hoses deliver water at the soil level to reduce moisture loss through evaporation. You can save up to 80 per cent of the water you would otherwise apply with an oscillating sprinkler.

Now you’re ready for almost anything that this gardening season throws at you. And you will enjoy the experience of it all that much more.