"Garden Tool Maintenance 101"

   Well we talked about in "Things to do, in the Garden, in the fall" garden tool maintenance and in "Winterizing Your Lawn Mower" about the importance of maintenance. Now lets put it to use!  You will just need a few things:

Tools Needed

1) Steel brush, to brush all of the hard debris and rust off the steel surfaces!
2)Bucket of warm soapy water, to wash down all the tools.
3) WD40, is to treat the steel parts of the hand tools to prevent rust.
4) Tung Oil or Linseed Oil, is to treat the wooden handles of the tools for prevention of rot and to keep them strong.
5) Old Rags, washing and application of  oils.
6) Spray Paint, for spray painting certain tools.
7) A file, for sharping.

  
  Tool maintenance is another not so fun but necessary gardening job, that again must people want even know you have done. I take that back your children and grand children will because if you take time to do this you will be able to pass your tools down to them!
  With the steel brush, Soapy water and Rags, you are going to clean the tools of all dirt and/or rust. After you let the dry use the file to sharpen the tools that may need an edge. Then Spray down the metal parts with WD40 to prevent rusting, unless you are gonna paint the surface. If you are gonna paint the surface DO NOT spray it with any oil, the paint won't stick! Finally, I used Tung Oil and an old rag to rub all the wood surfaces down, you can do this 2 or 3 times if you would like for more protection. Just let then set in sun to dry before putting away for the winter!

Before Cleaning

Before Cleaning

  When you look at the tools in the picture's, think of the money saved from taking care of them. I only bought one of the shovels the rest were pasted down to me from Dad and Grandpa's! So you can see how frugal this is in the long run and we can use every penny saved in this economy today!

After, Just Like New!

  Final Tip: My Dad had a 5 gallon bucket of sand sitting on the inside of the door of his shop. He would mix used motor oil in with the sand. Ever time he used his tools and would return to put them up he push the steel ends of the shovel (for example) down into the oily sand. This would clean the dirt of and give them an oily protection from rust. I haven't done it yet, only because I just remembered it while I was cleaning my tools. That will be next!

"If by doing some work which the undiscerning consider “not spiritual work” I can best help others, and I inwardly rebel, thinking it is the spiritual for which I crave, when in truth it is the interesting and the exciting, then I know nothing of Calvary love." ~ Amy Carmichael

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Results of Tomato Stake Trials!

Results of Tomato Stake Trials are In!

 I don't like tomato cages so this year I tested four different tomato stakes, from left to right they were: 

   1) Steel T-posts 2)Wooden Stakes 3)Bamboo Stakes 4)Store bought Plastic coated Stakes

 First, was the Steel T-Post. I liked them the most, they were very sturdy and didn't ever bend over, held up to strong winds and the heavy laden fruit on the plants! They do cost a little but the will last for a very long time. I am sure you could use small pipe or re-bar as well.
 Second, the old fashioned wooden stake. They were sturdy but not quit tall enough, not very costly. They only real problem I see is that you may only get 2 or 3 years out of them do to termites and rot.
 Third, was the Bamboo stakes.These were my second favorite! They were free, remember my neighbor/friend Jason? Well, he found a patch of what we call around here "River Cain", AKA "Bamboo". All we had to go do was cut it and haul it. They were tall enough because we cut them 9 to 10 feet tall, so after putting about 2 feet in the ground, they were just right. They held up to the wind and laden fruit and Bamboo doesn't rot so they should be around for awhile!
 Fourth, were the cheep plastic coated stakes. I really thought these were gonna be the best thing since sliced bread until the all powerful "Derecho Storm" hit and bent them right over to the ground and I mean to the ground! The other 3 did just fine in the storm but the plastic stakes that a buddy talked me into trying bent right over. I will just used them to stake my pepper plants next year, never tomatoes again, lol!
  I know there are other ways to stake tomatoes out there that I didn't try this year.. If you have tried something different and have had success or failure please share with us.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 

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Winterizing Your Lawn Mower!

   As you can tell my lawn mower has seen its better days, lol! I can't even remember how old it is, as a matter of fact I received it used many years ago from my dad. It used to be blue but a couple of years ago, I decided, since all the blue paint had peeled off, that I would paint it, so off to Lowe's we went. 

By the:Redeemed Gardener

  When we got there, I told my daughter, that was 10 years old at the time, "pick out whatever color you want and I will paint my mower that color."   WHOOPS!
  She took her time and was really thinking this over, then handed me Bright Lime Green! Reluctantly I said, "Are you sure about this color?"
  Without blinking an eye she said, "Well daddy, I was gonna get you hot pink but I figured that was to girly!" I looked at her without saying a word, put the Lime green paint in the buggy,  and left, lol! Hay, the bright side is, we had a few lawn mowers stolen in the area this year but mine wasn't!
  Well, must of us in my area of the world are getting ready to put the old lawn mower up for the winter months. But do just wheel it into the out building and expect it to start right up next spring. If you want it to last you for years to come, here are a few helpful hints to help it last longer!

1. Change the oil and filter on your lawn mower. This simple step gives you an opportunity to check the system for any contaminants and ensure that you’ll start the next mowing season off with a supply of fresh oil. Drain the old oil while the engine is still warm in order to get a complete flush and prevent any contaminants from settling back into the mower's oil pan. 
    
2. When storing your lawn mower or any tool that you have with a engine, either drain your fuel tank completely or adding a fuel stabilizer. Since fuel can begin to decompose after being dormant for a month or more, the stabilizer will help protect against carburetor clogs from old fuel. After you add the fuel stabilizer, run the mower engine for about 5 minutes. 
    
3. Now is a great time to tighten all of your mower's nuts and bolts as well as check the belts, filters and safety shields. Repair and treat any chipped or scratched metal surfaces, and apply a very light coat of engine oil to pivot and wear points to prevent rust. Even sharpen the blade!
    
4. Check your mower's operator manual for any other winter storage suggestions, such as checking the battery, if you have one. Then be sure to store your mower in a safe, dry building. If you store your lawn mower outside, cover it with a waterproof tarp.

So just remember as you put your tools up, they will last longer, if you take proper care of them! And then when it gets as old as mine, you can start adding Synthetic oil to the mower every time you put gas in it to keep it from locking up, LOL!

  

"Good habits are hard to acquire but easy to live with. Bad habits are easy to acquire but hard to live with."