Shovels, hoes, and other digging tools need to be cleaned, sharpened and oiled. Not only will this make your work easier when you start to garden, but it will increase the lifespan of your tools.
First, wash these tools, and make sure all dirt is removed. Next, allow them to dry or dry them with a cloth.
Spread newspaper or a drop cloth. Now check for any rust. If you see rust, use a steel brush to remove it.
Next, we’re going to sharpen. For a shovel, simply lay it down on the ground with the business end pointing up and away from you. Or, if you prefer, sit in a chair and lay the shovel across your lap in the same position. Now, take a file, and, beginning with one end of the shovel’s curve, place your file at a 45 degree angle to the edge of the shovel, with a bias toward the middle of the shovel. Lift one end of the file so you can grip it, and make long strokes with the file. Make a few strokes and then move a file’s width toward the center and repeat. When you get to the center of the shovel, reverse the angle and start from the other side, again working toward the center.
Next, brush the end of the shovel again with the steel brush, and then, using a rag, apply a light coating of oil.
Hoes can also be sharpened in the same way.
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- Caring for Garden Tools
- Caring for Pruning Shears
- The Desert Gardener
