Clean tools before storing in garden shed

14:11:20 24th November 2009

Gardeners packing away for the winter should ensure all their garden tools are clean before they are stowed away in the garden shed.

To lengthen the life of implements, gardeners can use this opportunity to give them a scrub, the Daily Telegraph reports today (November 24th).

If mud is left on tools such as trowels, forks and spades, it can blunt their blades and render them ineffective.

The best way to get them spotless is to use linseed oil, newspaper and cloths. Wooden parts, such as handles, can be wiped clean before being oiled or sanded if the wood has become worn and rough.

Oil can also be applied to metal to prevent rust developing. When put away in a garden shed, tools should be kept off the ground to prevent damage from damp.

Last week, the Daily Telegraph recommended that gardeners deal with pests such as thistles and dandelions over the winter months when it is often easier to uproot and remove them.