How To Maintain Garden Tools

Garden tools get used and abused all the time, but they don’t often get the attention they need. Learning how to maintain your garden tools will help them work better and last longer.

Most garden tools are made of metal and wood. These two materials can quickly deteriorate if you don’t take care of them properly.

I have gone through many pairs of garden tools and found that it is best to buy high quality items so they last. The only problem is that these tools won’t last long if you don’t maintain them.

Here is everything you need to know about garden tool maintenance.

Garden Tool Day-to-Day Upkeep

The most important part of keeping your garden tools from rusting and ready for use is day to day upkeep.

Most garden tools are made of metal and they are prone to rust. Tools like pruners will also get lots of plant residue and moisture when used.

I like to keep a cotton rag (I use an old shirt) next to my garden tools. After use, a quick wipe with the rag keeps them clean and ready for the next time I need them.

It may seem simple, but this is one of the best things you can do to prevent rust on your tools. It is also important to store your tools in a dry place.

I keep my tools in the shed so they are protected from moisture and excessive sunlight. Never leave your tools outdoors overnight because this causes them to rust very quickly.

End-Of-Season Maintenance

Even with daily upkeep, your tools will need some end of season maintenance. This is great to do in the middle of winter, but you can do this anytime.

Here is what you should do at the end of the gardening season to maintain your garden tools.

Clean Your Gardening Tools

The first thing you should do is give your gardening tools a good clean. Even though I usually wipe my tools down after use they still get buildup.

If you have a thin layer of gunk on your tools some isopropyl alcohol may be all you need to clean your tools. However, some tools (like those with rust) will need a deeper clean.

For tools with rust I like to use a baking soda paste to clean them. I just mix some water and baking soda to form a thick paste.

Coat the metal parts of your tools with this baking soda solution and let it set for 30 minutes to an hour. The longer you let it set the better it will clean.

Then scrub your tools with a cloth and rinse the gunk and baking soda off with water. I then use isopropyl alcohol to finish cleaning the tools and evaporate the extra water.

Sharpening Your Garden Tools

Now that your tools are clean you can work on getting them sharp again. For my tools I use this handheld sharpening tool which you can find here.

I use this tool to sharpen pruners, knives, and shovels. Simply run this sharpener across the blade and keeping doing so till you get the desired sharpness. Please be careful!

I have found that my tools don’t need much sharpening if I do it at the end of every gardening season.

Oiling Garden Tools

Now your tools are clean and sharp. One thing that many gardeners neglect with their tools is oil.

Oil is so important for metal tools because it protects the blade from rusting. It is also important to oil wooden handles because this preserves the wood and prevents cracking.

I use this food grade mineral oil on all my metal tools and wooden handles. I use a cotton rag to put a thin coat of oil on the blades and handles.

Your wood will look revived with the oil and it ensures your tools will last for years to come.

Below is my knife before oiling it.

And here is a photo after I oiled my knife. The improvement is amazing!

My Favorite Tools

I like to buy high quality tools because if they are maintained properly they will last much longer than cheap tools. Here are some of the tools I have, love, and use often in my garden.

Hand Pruner

These hand pruners are super sturdy with an all metal frame and rubber coated handles. The blade is even replaceable!

Hori Hori Knife

The Hori Hori Knife originates from Japan and is great for digging, harvesting, and even planting. It has a sharp blade, serrated blade, ruler, and can be used for digging.

Scissors

These scissors are great for cutting twine and harvesting fruit. I also like that these scissors have a metal and wood construction without any plastic.

If you buy high quality tools and maintain them they should last for years and maybe even a lifetime!

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