You’ve been out and bought lots of shiny new kit to help you care for your garden. However, it won’t last long or do the job properly without a bit of love and attention.
Lawnmowers
If you have a petrol mower check the oil and petrol level before every use. If you run out of oil the engine will seize and that is the mower ruined. For electric ones check the cables are not worn or damaged.
After every use clear all the grass clippings from under the mower deck and around the blades before they dry or they will clog up the mower reducing its ability to cut. Over time this build up can cause damage. If it is a petrol mower only ever tip it backwards or you will end up with oil in the carburretor – they don’t like it and it can end up with an expensive repair bill.
At the end of the season petrol mowers benefit from being serviced. For all types of mowers check the state of the blades regularly and replace if they become very worn.
Spades/forks
Remove any mud from the blade or tines immediately before it dries. Digging with a spade covered in old dried mud is hard work. Also dried on mud on the handle can make your hands sore. When you finish wipe off the mud using your gloved hands or an old rag. If it is really persistent wash off under a tap and don’t forget the handle. If the spade blade, or fork head, are not made of stainless steel then wipe over with a small bit of oil or give it a quick spray of WD40 so they don’t rust.
Cutting tools
In this I include secaters, loppers, shears, scissors and knives. Clean the handles and blades of all debris after every use. If it has been wet then apply a little oil or WD40 to the springs, blades and other moving parts to stop them rusting.
Sharpen the blades regularly. You can get gadgets to do this or use a sharpening stone. I used to have an old kitchen knife steel which worked well. Make sure you only sharpen the outside of the blade.
Rake
Remove all debris from the teeth and wipe clean the handle
Storage
Lastly, have somewhere dry you can put your tools away including watering cans and trugs. They will last longer if stored out of the weather and will also be easier to find when you need them! There are various weather-proof storage boxes available so you don’t need to splash out on a large shed, unless of course you want one!
