Spring, summer, and fall are wonderful times to get outside, get your hands dirty, and get your yard looking better than ever. However, there comes a time in every tool's life when they simply don't cut as sharply, dig as deeply, or snip as easily as they used to. While it may be hard to let go of your trustiest gardening tools, here are some helpful tips to help you identify certain signs of when it's time to replace these gadgets, how you can best maintain your tools, and storage ideas that will help you get the most out of your favorite gardening tools. Maintaining Your Gardening Tools Regular maintenance is critical if you wish to get the most out of your favorite garden tools. Below are a few quick tips for how to clean and maintain the tools that keep your garden, yard, and landscaping looking amazing.
- Lawnmower: Be sure to change the oil prior to each mowing season and empty the gas tank completely before putting it up for the winter. You should also replace the spark plug at the start of spring and clean the air filter with warm, soapy water. Use a sharpening tool to ensure your blade is as effective as possible and regularly check the tightness of all bolts.
- Pruners: Handheld tools are easy to keep in good shape if you regularly clean and sharpen the blades, and oil the joints.
- Chainsaw: Prior to each use, you should check the tension of your chainsaw to ensure it's inline with the specs of your chainsaw. You should also check the air filter after every eight hours of use and always use the proper fuel and oil.
- Garden hose: Prevent leaks by replacing washers at the start of each watering season and use plumber's tape to stop drips before they worsen. If you use a hose nozzle or sprayer always relieve the water pressure from the hose whenever you turn off the facet. Lastly, store the hose properly after every use.
- Digging tools: Clean blades regularly by soaking them in water. Protect the metal components from rust by wiping them with a lightweight lubricating oil. Prevent splinters and slivers from handles by sanding them at the start of each gardening season and consider sharpening spade edges with a file or grinder to aid in the digging process.
- Wheelbarrow: Rinse and dry the tub of your wheelbarrow after every use. Like digging tools, you can use sandpaper to smooth rough or splintered handles. You should also apply a light machine oil to the wheel axle to ensure it turns freely and check tire pressure regularly to prevent deflation.
When To Replace Your Tools Now that you know how to properly care for your garden equipment, identifying when it's time to replace them should be a bit easier. However, these key factors are major indicators that it's time to lay your trusty gardening assistants to rest:
- If the handles are broken or too splintered to repair
- If rust has eaten through blades, saws, shovels, or other vital metal components
- If bolts, nuts, or other critical components are missing and/or irreplaceable
- If they pose more of a danger than they help
- If gas or oil tanks are damaged beyond repair
Storage Ideas for Your Tools You can design your own storage system that allows you to store your gardening tools and other garage or shed equipment in an organized, effective manner. Check out these customizable components that you can incorporate in your storage design.
- Cabinets: Cabinets are an ideal way to conceal clutter and equipment in your garage or tool shed. With a variety of sizes and colors to choose from, you can keep your small and medium sized gardening tools safe and out of the way.
- Panels: Slatwall panels can be a great way to organize, as they act as a foundation for hooks, magnets, containers, and cabinets. Panel organizers are ideal accessories that can help you properly and effectively store things like rakes, shovels, hoses, leaf blowers, weed whackers, and other large or hard-to-store equipment.
- Shelves: Shelves are an essential part of organization and storage. They are great for storing anything that can't hang up such as boxes of seeds, bottles, water cans, and more.
Whether you want to install a starter kit and build on as your tool collection expands, or opt for a deluxe storage system that's designed to blend attractive storage and organizational efficiency, Flow Wall has the solutions you need to store your gardening tools and keep them in the best condition possible, for as long as possible.
