To keep your garden tools performing at their best, winter is the ideal time to give them a thorough clean and sharpen. In this guide, learn exactly how to restore rusty blades, treat timber handles, and safely sharpen gear for a flawless spring garden.
Why is winter the best time to maintain garden tools?
Winter - which runs from June to August in Australia - is the best time to service your garden tools because most of them aren’t being used daily. Cleaning and sharpening now means they are 100% ready for use when the busy spring season arrives.
Well-maintained tools last years longer, work more efficiently, and are better for your plants as they make clean cuts that don’t bruise or tear stems. Dirty tools, on the other hand, can easily spread fungal diseases, bacteria, and pests between your plants.
Taking the time to maintain your gear is also a matter of safety. A sharp tool requires much less force to use, preventing slipping and reducing strain on your hands.
How to clean and remove rust from garden tools
To clean garden tools, scrub away dirt with a stiff wire brush, soak rusty parts in vinegar for 1-2 days, and polish with steel wool. Once clean, spray the metal parts lightly with oil to prevent rust, and treat timber handles with linseed oil.
Moisture and neglect are the enemies of good gardening gear. If ignored over winter, rust can permanently damage blades and freeze moving parts.
Follow these steps to restore your tools:
- Remove debris: Use a stiff wire brush to scrub away all dried mud, dirt, and sticky sap.
- Treat the rust: Soak rusty tools in vinegar for a day or two to loosen heavy corrosion. For lighter surface rust, a brisk rub with steel wool works perfectly.
- Protect the metal: Spray metal parts lightly with a protective oil or water-displacing spray (like WD-40) immediately after cleaning to stop rust from returning.
- Nourish the timber: Sand any rough or splintering wooden handles until smooth. Rub them down with linseed oil to protect the timber from drying and cracking.
- Tighten the hardware: Check for and tighten any loose bolts, nuts, and screws to ensure correct and safe operation.
How to sharpen garden tools correctly
You should sharpen garden tools by securing the blade and following the original bevel angle, which is typically between 20 and 30 degrees. Use a flat file for larger tools and a specialised Sharpening Tool for secateurs and finer blades.
Sharp blades make cleaner cuts that heal faster on plants. You should sharpen all of your tools, including secateurs, loppers, hedge shears, hoes, and even your shovels and spades. Regular, light sharpening is far better than waiting until your tools are completely blunt.
"Sharpening tools is so satisfying for me, especially when you’re not rushing between jobs and you actually have time to slow down and do it properly. For a garden lover, there is nothing better than smooth, clean, sharp tools and winter is the perfect time to make that happen." - Ben Hayman, Hoselink Horticulturist.
Keep these rules in mind when sharpening:
- Secure your tools firmly in a vice before sharpening for safety.
- Only sharpen the bevelled side of the blade. Some tools have a flat side or an anvil; clean the anvil but do not sharpen it.
- After sharpening the bevel, take the small burr off the back side of the blade with a light swipe.
- Finish the process by wiping the blades with oil and lubricating the pivot points.
Note: You can use an angle grinder for large garden tools like spades, but only if you are experienced and careful.
Common tool maintenance mistakes to avoid
The most common tool maintenance mistakes include putting gear away dirty or wet, leaving timber handles untreated, and ignoring small rust spots until they spread. Avoid sharpening blades at the wrong angle or forgetting to disinfect pruning tools between diseased plants.
Getting into a good routine now saves you money on replacement tools later. Here is a breakdown of what to avoid and what to do instead.
| Maintenance Mistake | Why it Causes Damage | The Easy Fix |
|
Storing tools wet or dirty |
Encourages rust and spreads soil-borne diseases. | Brush off dirt and wipe blades dry after every use. |
| Ignoring small rust spots | Rust pits the metal and ruins the blade's integrity. | Treat surface rust immediately with steel wool. |
| Sharpening the flat side | Ruins the cutting action of bypass secateurs. | Only ever file the bevelled edge of the blade. |
| Forgetting to disinfect | Transfers bacterial and fungal infections between plants. | Wipe blades with diluted methylated spirits after pruning diseased growth. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use an angle grinder to sharpen my garden tools?
Yes, you can use an angle grinder for larger, heavy-duty garden tools like shovels, spades, and hoes. However, you must be very careful not to overheat the metal, which can ruin its temper. For finer blades like secateurs, always use a hand file or a specialised sharpening tool.
How do I disinfect my pruning tools?
To disinfect pruning tools, wipe the blades down with a rag soaked in diluted methylated spirits or rubbing alcohol. It is vital to do this immediately after pruning any diseased plants to ensure you don't spread the infection to healthy parts of your garden.
Why do my garden tools keep rusting?
Garden tools typically rust because they are put away wet, stored in a damp shed, or left covered in moisture-holding sap and dirt. To prevent this, always wipe your tools clean after use and apply a light coat of protective oil before storing them away.
Ratchet Pruners
Stainless Steel Hori Hori Garden Knife
If your old secateurs are beyond saving, or you need the right gear to keep your blades razor-sharp, browse our range of premium cutting tools and the Hoselink Sharpening Tool.
