The Roselovers Association Inc.

Posts Tagged ‘care’

Here’s how:

1. Spray the dirt off the tools with a sharp spray from the garden hose immediately after use. Open up pruning shears so that any dirt or plant matter stuck near the joint between blades can be washed off.
2. Inspect the tools for any sap, which does not wash off under water alone. Dip a rag into turpentine and wipe the sap off the tools, then rinse the turpentine off with clear water.
3. Sterilize tools if they come in contact with any plants that may have been diseased. Dilute one part bleach in nine parts water, then rinse the pruning tools in the solution. The bleach kills any disease pathogens on the tools.
4. Wipe the tools dry with a clean rag then oil them to preserve the sharpness of the blades and to prevent rust. Dip a rag in vegetable oil and wipe it along all the metal and moving parts on the pruning tools, coating them with just a thin layer of the oil.
5. Dip a clean rag into linseed oil and ripe a thin coat of the oil onto any wooden handles. This preserves the handles and prevent splinters from forming.

Tips & Warning

Store tools in a dry place, such as a garage or shed. It is better to hang them then set them on the floor, as tools on the floor are more likely to suffer damage.

Rinse pruning tools each time you move to a new plant if you are having disease problems in the garden. Disease quickly can be spread to healthy plants via pruning wounds.