Winterizing the Garden Tools
As we hang up our gardening tools for the year it is important to take care of them so they will last for years. Good tools and equipment are expensive but a few minutes of work this fall can pay off big time for the future. As we put the garden to bed for the winter take a few minutes to do some work on your tools so you are ready for the next growing season.
Garden tools such as shovels, hoes and rakes often have wooden handles
that will slowly deteriorate due to exposure to sunlight, moisture and other elements. This can easily lead to rough patches and splinters from our favorite tools. Keeping them stored inside when possible will slow this process however, over time the tools will still have some natural wear and tear. Take sometime this winter to check the handles for splinters, sand down rough areas, and then apply a protective coat (linseed oil, wood preservative, polyurethane, etc) to the handle to keep it protected. Don’t forget about the metal part of the tool, make sure it’s clean of dirt and debris and apply a light application of oil to prevent rust.
October is also an important time to service any watering systems you might have. Over my years in North Dakota I had several issues with mice chewing on my soaker hoses throughout the winter searching for water when it was scarce. Ever since I’ve always made sure to drain my soaker hoses in the winter and store them inside for the winter. It is also important to have your irrigation system drained or have a company blow the water out of the system to reduce the chances the system would break due to freezing water or friendly little furry creatures looking for water. When we water the yard or landscape for the last time this fall ensure your garden hose is drained and stored for the winter. This step should be done before a hard freeze to protect the hose and your faucet and store your hose in an area out of direct sunlight to prolong its life.
