Your Garden Tools for Winter

Extend the life of your garden tools – and save both time and money. We advise you on the best way to preserve and care for them for next season!

Store the tools indoors

It is easy to leave tools out in the garden standing in a pot, lying on the ground or pressed into the soil. Unfortunately, it is tiring for your tools and eventually causes them to rust and deteriorate. This applies not only in winter, but also in summer when the scorching sun can dry out, crack and age both wood and plastic. You should therefore always store your garden tools indoors, regardless of the time of year.

Clean regularly

If you have a routine for taking care of your tools, small preventive measures on a regular basis are enough to prevent rust and keep the tools sharp. Good tools cost a lot – so make sure you take good care of the tools you have, and you’ll save money by not having to buy new ones every year. You can instead transfer that money to your savings account.

Clean thoroughly

After the year’s hard work in the garden, your tools deserve a little extra attention before it’s time to put them away for winter storage. Give each utensil a thorough cleaning and drying. Start by brushing away dried mud and dirt with a dry dish brush. Then rinse off with lukewarm water. If the dirt cannot be brushed away, you can leave the utensils in lukewarm water for a while, then wipe off the excess water with a cloth and let it air dry the last.

Clean based on material

How you take care of your tools depends on the material your tools are made of, but you can go a long way with a cloth, a little water and oil.

Metal

You can gently polish small rust spots with steel wool or a piece of sandpaper. Then lubricate the metal with a vegetable oil you have at home, for example rapeseed oil.

Wood

Even the wooden handles of your utensils can be lubricated with a vegetable oil. Apply a thin layer, let it sink in for a while and then wipe off the remaining oil with a dry cloth.

Plastic

Once the plastic utensils are broken, they are difficult to repair. Although plastics age and become brittle over time, you can make them last longer by washing them with a mild detergent every now and then.

Prepare the utensils

You don’t have to buy new tools because of a loose shovel handle or a squeaky wheelbarrow tire. Bring out the craftsman in you and try making small things.

Lubricate with oil

Oil is good for both cleaning and repairing your utensils. Metal tools such as secateurs and scissors can become sluggish after a while and need to be maintained with a little oil from time to time. Even the wooden parts can be oiled a couple of times a year for preventive purposes.

Sanding and painting

If the paint has started to peel off, you can easily repaint the tool to protect it from future weather and wind. Sand off old surface material, wash, prime and paint over with new paint.

Glue

Unsteady shafts and loose handles are frustrating. Luckily it’s easy to fix! A strong glue suitable for outdoor use is all you need to glue what is loose. Then let the glue harden properly.

Don’t forget to drain the water hose

Last but not least – the water hose! A water hose full of water can easily freeze during the first frosty nights, so make sure the hose is not clogged and repair any holes before rolling up the hose for the winter.