November is the time for sitting in front of a fire and reading garden catalogues. But there are a few things you need to take care of now.
In the high desert, cold weather and maybe snow are already here. In the low desert, cooler weather is moving in. In all but the warmest areas, plants are snuggling down into dormancy.
Gardeners too are tempted to slip into dormancy, and that’s okay for the most part. However, take a few moments to check your tools. Remember that plant diseases can live on tools whether they come into contact with the soil or not. And, just like us, undesirable and dangerous microbes can overwinter on your tools.
Here’s what to do to insure that your tools are free of diseases over the winter and ready to work for you in the spring:
Before you store your garden tools, hose them off.
Sterilize your pruning shears, your trimmers, and any other tools that come in direct contact with plants (pruning saws, hand-held trowels and spades, etc. )
Sharpen your saws. Cutting a limb with a dull saw will rip and tear instead of cut, allow for bacteria and insects to enter the plant, and possibly be dangerous to you.
Clean all your hand tools before you put them away.
Sharpen your shovels and hoes, and clean them.
When spring comes, you won’t have to waste valuable gardening time sharpening and cleaning tools.
