My Grandfather taught me to keep all of my gardening tools clean, sharp and rust free by using a #3 galvanized tub 3/4 full of sand that had a quart of motor oil mixed in. When finished using a tool, stick the blades into the oiled sand and leave it. The oiled and sand clean and sharpen the blades and keeps rust from forming. Less work for me! :)
@@barbll000 The reason motor oil was use is because it keeps steel from rusting better than anything else and ends up being cheaper if you get it at a dollar store. But I guess you could use any kind of "oil." Some people use WD-40, but silicon spray will keep dirt from sticking to your tools.
When using lysol to disinfect your pruners between cuts, wet contact time (the amount of time your blade has to remain wet with the disinfectant in order for it to kill germs) is 3 to 10 minutes (depending on disease). And it must remain wet that whole time, which means you likely will need to re-apply product. So, prune your diseased plants last for the day, then disinfect your tools as part of the clean up.
Sharpen your shovels. Makes dugging plants up so much easier! cuts through root balls, divides up perennials and plain old digging faster and with less effort.
Message received. I don't think about giving my tools some TLC unless they are house tools, but it totally makes sense to take care of all tools inside or out. Thank you for the reminder.
So inspiring!!! I went to Ace Hardware today and picked up the 3-in-1 oil, wire brushes and 6" file. Had scrubbing bubbles on hand and now my tools are ready for work!!! Thank you Laura!!!!! Love your channel and ALL of your advice and tips and Benjamin and Russel :))))
This is soooo neglected but necessary to do. I'm sure this saves lots of money thru the years. Company's that make outside tools depend on us to neglect our tools! Thanks Laura, for a great reminder!
I found this video very helpful. I am a relatively new gardener and tool maintenance hadn’t occurred to me. I am still in the process of acquiring tools and I wipe them off and put them away and that’s been that! I feel ridiculous that I hadn’t given this any thought! Thank you for not only bringing this to my attention, but for showing me what to do. I am very appreciative.
Thank you for this. Unfortunately at end of year I lost my neighbor who did this for me as I did his gardens. It was his way of thanking me. I am super fussy with my tools but never sharpened because I didn’t know how. Have a great day from snowy Southern Ontario Canada 🇨🇦💝
I’m so glad to see this! I just got my late Mum’s transplanting shovel, and it needs serious TLC. Its handle has lost its paint too, so I will get the products you used. I also have a pair of expensive loppers, which got left outside, now I know how to rehab them, too.
I am so happy to know how to sharpen the blades of my tools. I am tired of buying new trimmers. I have a lopper, straight blade shovel, and rounded lawn trimmer like yours. I bought what were called shapeners that didn’t do what I needed. I can’t wait to get at it now that I know how to do it successfully. Thank you so very much! Now to buy the files.
Thanks for this video Laura! I didn't even know you could sharpen your gardening tools! I was always buying a new one whenever my gardening tools got dull. 😳 I just ordered some of the sharpening tools on Amazon! Can't wait to sharpen everything! 😊
Thank you Laura for this detailed information. So many times I've take my husband for granted that he'll clean and take care of my gardening tools. Now, I know how myself! 😊👍
Absolute perfect timing! I bought a sharpening tool just this week in preparation for tackling this chore THIS weekend! And btw my loppers are in far worse shape than yours were...I’m hoping I can bring them back to life🤞🏼 Thanks so much for the inspiration and information! 🌷
Paula G. Panzer, MD I will! I’m putting in a new potager garden this year (we bought the house almost 2 years ago and landscape was a blank slate) so this new gardener needs her tools to be in tip-top shape!
Perfect timing! I just received my All-In-One sharpener from Gardener’s Supply and though it is different from what you used, you demonstrated so many other tips I would not have thought of. Sad to say, but I’ve never taken good care of my garden tools but since buying our house 2 ½ years ago, I have really gotten back into gardening. And since discovering you on TH-cam, I’m even more excited to plan and plant. Thank you for being so inspiring! P.S. Please make white T-shirts and Hoodies...
This was sooooo helpful! I have never really cleaned or sharpened my pruners/lopers, but after watching this, I did! And they work so much better! They *were* so dull it would have been easier to chew off those branches and stems, but now the pruners/lopers do the job just like they were new. Thank you!
Hi Laura! When I saw the title for this video, I thought that Aaron was FINALLY going to do a Garden Answer video! WRONG! It would have been nice, tho. We kids grew up poor on a 52-acre farm. My daddy, a garage mechanic & farmer at the time, ALWAYS stressed the importance of taking good care of ALL tools. He sharpened all of our family's tools & mowing blades on big equipment in his granary, which was built on top of our cellar. He kept a galvanized tub full of sand with a quart or so of motor oil added to it in a corner of the granary. He'd wipe all our hoes, shovels, clippers, etc. off with a rag & plunge the blades into the tub. This kept the tools from rusting & helped to KEEP them sharp. Lots of his coworkers & our neighbors paid him to sharpen their scythes, lawn mower blades & even their butcher knives! He enjoyed doing it & extra money was always welcome back then, too. He used linseed oil on soft cloths for the tool handles. After our family sold the farm, moved "to town" and bought a restaurant, people from the old community still brought their tools to daddy for sharpening. They sure hated it when he finally sold his sharpening machines & grinder! When I left home, it was completely natural for me to use a five gallon bucket of sand & motor oil for my shovels, etc. Boy, I missed having him to sharpen my knives & other tools. Thanks to daddy, no matter how tired I might have been after a long day of digging, lopping, planting or pruning, I ALWAYS took the time to put my tools away-CLEAN! It doesn't take much time. Every time I see that amazing looking Gardener's Supply Company planting trowel (whether it's in their great catalog or a GA video) I wonder WHY I still don't own one! It's 1:45 a.m. Saturday morning and today's THE DAY! I'm going to use the link you provided in the description, Laura, and order one of my very own! Yay! Thanks for sharing guys! Take care & plant love! 🌾💜
I have been waiting for this video! Always had trouble with sharpening the tools and ended up having to buy new ones. Did not know that these kind of sharpening tools even existed! Even used my kitchen knife sharpening rod on my pruners once. :-) So helpful thanks!!!
Thank you so much for this video!!! People underestimate the importance of cleaning their tools, and i’ll confess to have forgotten a bunch of times also 😂🙏🏽
Great video!! Idea...I’m looking to decorate my brick mantle/ fireplace ( very low light) and would love a video on how to incorporate live plants in an eye catching design
Oh thank you for this!! I have wondered about this many times but have never seen a tutorial on how to properly maintain garden tools. Seems an easy subject but I appreciate you sharing your method. Happy growing!
This is both helpful & encouraging. Many thanks! I’m still focused on house plants during this winter stretch, but this reminder of what comes soon was warming.
Take a shot every time she says “scrubbing bubbles” 🤣🤣🤣 Thank you for this🤗 I go through quite a few snippers and pruners every year because I just throw them away every time they go blunt or rusty. Now to find the South African 🇿🇦 version of “scrubbing bubbles” 😏
Love this video! Thanks so much for giving the how too's for tools. They are really worth taking care of, especially if you've invested in good quality ones.
I am so bad about leaving pruners out! I lose them constantly and when I find them they are a mess. Its good to see that maybe I can bring them back to life! I will try to take a before and after picture. Thanks again for a great video as always! Hoping to see you at the Northwest Flower and Garden show, I am going on the 21st but may go on the 20th just for the chance.....
What a coincidence...I was just thinking you should do a video on this topic. My clippers are in need of a good cleaning and sharpening. Thanks so much for all your gardening advise.
Great overview of how to clean tools. It's amazing how much easier it is to use sharp tools. If I notice a drastic difference after sharpening, I know I've waited too long!
I never thought to use my scrubbing bubbles which I always have in the house. Last year I was trying to clean white sidng...Scrubbing Bubbles Foaming Bleach had me dong the happy dance it is amazing!
Thanks Laura, that's awesome! Hey, I learned that if you have a bucket with sand and used engine oil to stick your tools in the bucket after use.....they say it keeps them nice and clean. I haven't tried it yet but it sounds good to me. Hugs 💜🌱
Such a great video! Thanks for showing how to clean,sharpens and tune up my garden tools!
Leslie Reynolds completely agree with this comment! Thanks
My Grandfather taught me to keep all of my gardening tools clean, sharp and rust free by using a #3 galvanized tub 3/4 full of sand that had a quart of motor oil mixed in. When finished using a tool, stick the blades into the oiled sand and leave it. The oiled and sand clean and sharpen the blades and keeps rust from forming. Less work for me! :)
I wonder if a vegetable oil could be used instead?
@@barbll000 The reason motor oil was use is because it keeps steel from rusting better than anything else and ends up being cheaper if you get it at a dollar store. But I guess you could use any kind of "oil." Some people use WD-40, but silicon spray will keep dirt from sticking to your tools.
@@wandaarganbright4056 Or if your son works at Autozone and you can get used motor oil for free. LOL
That's not the greatest environmental option. Mineral oil might avoid both going rancid and the environmental challenges.
Can u use used motor oil?
When using lysol to disinfect your pruners between cuts, wet contact time (the amount of time your blade has to remain wet with the disinfectant in order for it to kill germs) is 3 to 10 minutes (depending on disease). And it must remain wet that whole time, which means you likely will need to re-apply product. So, prune your diseased plants last for the day, then disinfect your tools as part of the clean up.
I don't even have a garden. Will still watch it 😂
This is absolutely the best gardening channel. I can find an answer to virtually any question I have. Thank you, and great work.
Thank you for this, I would have abandoned those loppers thinking they were too far gone. Off to the garage!
Laura! I never thought about oiling my tools 🤦🏼♀️ you’re the best, as always!
Sharpen your shovels. Makes dugging plants up so much easier! cuts through root balls, divides up perennials and plain old digging faster and with less effort.
you're right. I never thought about it but in the end, the time savings would be a lot. especially when dealing with roots
Those Fiskars nippers are practically an extension of my hand! Once its springtime...you will never find me without'm !❤️
Message received. I don't think about giving my tools some TLC unless they are house tools, but it totally makes sense to take care of all tools inside or out. Thank you for the reminder.
So inspiring!!! I went to Ace Hardware today and picked up the 3-in-1 oil, wire brushes and 6" file. Had scrubbing bubbles on hand and now my tools are ready for work!!! Thank you Laura!!!!! Love your channel and ALL of your advice and tips and Benjamin and Russel :))))
⛏Great video Laura! Never would have thought to use Scrubbing Bubbles. Awesome idea and works wonders🌺🌼🌸
Another use for Scrubbing Bubbles-it's amazing!
I have watched so many gardening videos but never found one that demonstrated these valuable tips...thank you!
This is soooo neglected but necessary to do. I'm sure this saves lots of money thru the years. Company's that make outside tools depend on us to neglect our tools! Thanks Laura, for a great reminder!
I found this video very helpful. I am a relatively new gardener and tool maintenance hadn’t occurred to me. I am still in the process of acquiring tools and I wipe them off and put them away and that’s been that! I feel ridiculous that I hadn’t given this any thought! Thank you for not only bringing this to my attention, but for showing me what to do. I am very appreciative.
I feel like I could tackle our tools now with confidence! Thanks Laura!
Thank you for this. Unfortunately at end of year I lost my neighbor who did this for me as I did his gardens. It was his way of thanking me. I am super fussy with my tools but never sharpened because I didn’t know how. Have a great day from snowy Southern Ontario Canada 🇨🇦💝
This is the video that I have been looking for!!! Now I'm going refurbish all the gardening tools in my garage!😀👍✌✂️🛠
Hooray! I was just thinking yesterday that I need to learn how to do this. You are so awesome!😁
Exactly what I was looking for this morning, 4years after you made the video!
I’m so glad to see this! I just got my late Mum’s transplanting shovel, and it needs serious TLC. Its handle has lost its paint too, so I will get the products you used. I also have a pair of expensive loppers, which got left outside, now I know how to rehab them, too.
You are such a dear. Maybe also a mind reader. My tool need TLC. This video is exactly what I needed to inspire me. Thank You Sweet Laura.
I am so happy to know how to sharpen the blades of my tools. I am tired of buying new trimmers. I have a lopper, straight blade shovel, and rounded lawn trimmer like yours. I bought what were called shapeners that didn’t do what I needed. I can’t wait to get at it now that I know how to do it successfully. Thank you so very much! Now to buy the files.
Perfectly timed video. Thanks for the tips.
I needed this! I inherited some old rusty tools and now I know how to care for them. Thanks!
Excellent. Thank you. Absolutely no waffle.All relevant and to the point
Thanks for this video Laura! I didn't even know you could sharpen your gardening tools! I was always buying a new one whenever my gardening tools got dull. 😳 I just ordered some of the sharpening tools on Amazon! Can't wait to sharpen everything! 😊
I am so anxious to get into the garden! This is definitely something I can do now. Thanks for the great information.
ugh that was so satisfying to watch
Thank you Laura for this detailed information. So many times I've take my husband for granted that he'll clean and take care of my gardening tools. Now, I know how myself! 😊👍
Wow!! I was totally impressed with those Rusty pruners how they look so nice after you clean them. Have a wonderful day 🌴💖🌴
thanks i wasnt sure if i was doing this right
This was so helpful Laura. I've always struggled with knowing exactly how to clean and sharpen my tools. Thank you!
I’m impressed with how many awesome ideas you have for winter time gardening videos. You’re killing it Laura!
Super handy video thank you. Love that you crack on with what we want to know and no waffle. Very informative and useful
Absolute perfect timing! I bought a sharpening tool just this week in preparation for tackling this chore THIS weekend! And btw my loppers are in far worse shape than yours were...I’m hoping I can bring them back to life🤞🏼 Thanks so much for the inspiration and information! 🌷
Robbin Garcia take pictures so we can all appreciate your work.
Paula G. Panzer, MD I will! I’m putting in a new potager garden this year (we bought the house almost 2 years ago and landscape was a blank slate) so this new gardener needs her tools to be in tip-top shape!
Perfect timing! I just received my All-In-One sharpener from Gardener’s Supply and though it is different from what you used, you demonstrated so many other tips I would not have thought of. Sad to say, but I’ve never taken good care of my garden tools but since buying our house 2 ½ years ago, I have really gotten back into gardening. And since discovering you on TH-cam, I’m even more excited to plan and plant. Thank you for being so inspiring! P.S. Please make white T-shirts and Hoodies...
You make me want to run right outside and do this!!! So inspiring! I will add this to my list once it warms up. Still too darn cold.
Love. This! So flipping helpful. Saved it to my favorites!
This was sooooo helpful! I have never really cleaned or sharpened my pruners/lopers, but after watching this, I did! And they work so much better! They *were* so dull it would have been easier to chew off those branches and stems, but now the pruners/lopers do the job just like they were new. Thank you!
Hi Laura! When I saw the title for this video, I thought that Aaron was FINALLY going to do a Garden Answer video! WRONG! It would have been nice, tho.
We kids grew up poor on a 52-acre farm. My daddy, a garage mechanic & farmer at the time, ALWAYS stressed the importance of taking good care of ALL tools. He sharpened all of our family's tools & mowing blades on big equipment in his granary, which was built on top of our cellar. He kept a galvanized tub full of sand with a quart or so of motor oil added to it in a corner of the granary. He'd wipe all our hoes, shovels, clippers, etc. off with a rag & plunge the blades into the tub. This kept the tools from rusting & helped to KEEP them sharp. Lots of his coworkers & our neighbors paid him to sharpen their scythes, lawn mower blades & even their butcher knives! He enjoyed doing it & extra money was always welcome back then, too. He used linseed oil on soft cloths for the tool handles. After our family sold the farm, moved "to town" and bought a restaurant, people from the old community still brought their tools to daddy for sharpening. They sure hated it when he finally sold his sharpening machines & grinder! When I left home, it was completely natural for me to use a five gallon bucket of sand & motor oil for my shovels, etc. Boy, I missed having him to sharpen my knives & other tools. Thanks to daddy, no matter how tired I might have been after a long day of digging, lopping, planting or pruning, I ALWAYS took the time to put my tools away-CLEAN! It doesn't take much time.
Every time I see that amazing looking Gardener's Supply Company planting trowel (whether it's in their great catalog or a GA video) I wonder WHY I still don't own one! It's 1:45 a.m. Saturday morning and today's THE DAY! I'm going to use the link you provided in the description, Laura, and order one of my very own! Yay! Thanks for sharing guys! Take care & plant love! 🌾💜
Yeah I so needed help with this! Had no idea and have never done it. I just limped along until I bought new ones. Thank you so much!
Great information Laura. And very motivating! Something we can do to get a little closer to SPRING!
I am SO tackling my garden tools tomorrow!
I have been waiting for this video! Always had trouble with sharpening the tools and ended up having to buy new ones. Did not know that these kind of sharpening tools even existed! Even used my kitchen knife sharpening rod on my pruners once. :-)
So helpful thanks!!!
so satisfying to watch the last tool being brought back to life!!
Oh boy! Great video! I have never sharpened any of my tools. I'm going to start!
Thank you so much for this video!!! People underestimate the importance of cleaning their tools, and i’ll confess to have forgotten a bunch of times also 😂🙏🏽
This video comes in handy.
Loppers impressed me ❤😊
Laura THANK YOU!!!! I really needed to see this video!! I was just going to buy some new tools and now I dont have to!!! Woo hoo!!!
Great video!! Idea...I’m looking to decorate my brick mantle/ fireplace ( very low light) and would love a video on how to incorporate live plants in an eye catching design
Oh thank you for this!! I have wondered about this many times but have never seen a tutorial on how to properly maintain garden tools. Seems an easy subject but I appreciate you sharing your method. Happy growing!
you are great ! thanks, now i will go in the garden :D
Great, helpful information...thank you!
WOW! Thank you! I love the step by step of cleaning your tools. This is going to come in handy. Your tools look like new . 😃❤
This is both helpful & encouraging. Many thanks! I’m still focused on house plants during this winter stretch, but this reminder of what comes soon was warming.
This technique gave me great results and wish I could post my before and after pictures here :) Thanks Laura!
I really needed this video. I'll b sure to clean my garden tools soon. Thanks so much!
Take a shot every time she says “scrubbing bubbles” 🤣🤣🤣
Thank you for this🤗 I go through quite a few snippers and pruners every year because I just throw them away every time they go blunt or rusty. Now to find the South African 🇿🇦 version of “scrubbing bubbles” 😏
Active ingredients of "Scrubbing Bubbles" : Active Ingredients: N-Alkyl (60% C14, 30% C16, 5% C12, 5% C18) Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chlorides (0.11%), N-Alkyl (68% C12, 32% C14), Dimethyl Ethylbenzyl Ammonium Chlorides (0.11%). Inert Ingredients: (99.78%). (this wasn't that helpful for me!)
Love this video! Thanks so much for giving the how too's for tools. They are really worth taking care of, especially if you've invested in good quality ones.
Very good information. Never knew they can be all sharpened. I'm getting the spring fever here in south Dakota. TFS laura.
I want to garden this year and your videos are very inspirational.
I am so bad about leaving pruners out! I lose them constantly and when I find them they are a mess. Its good to see that maybe I can bring them back to life! I will try to take a before and after picture. Thanks again for a great video as always! Hoping to see you at the Northwest Flower and Garden show, I am going on the 21st but may go on the 20th just for the chance.....
Nice video!!! I like the Scrubbing Bubbles idea. I disinfect my tools between plants with water and rubbing alcohol mix in a spray bottle.
What a coincidence...I was just thinking you should do a video on this topic. My clippers are in need of a good cleaning and sharpening. Thanks so much for all your gardening advise.
Thanks Laura. I always learn something new
This is great Laura!!! I've often wondered how to go about sharpening my tools!! Thank you!!!
Lol I don't even have garden tools but I'm still watching because I love all your videos
Great overview of how to clean tools. It's amazing how much easier it is to use sharp tools. If I notice a drastic difference after sharpening, I know I've waited too long!
Very informative! Great job!
That's amazing thank you for this video!!
What a good video! Good information. Thanks Laura!🌸🦋
Thank you! I had two tools I was ready to throw out because they rusted but I’ll try this first 😊
Mine need your loving care!
Very helpful I don't usually clean my garden tools.
Love it! My project for tomorrow...hope to figure out how fo share pics ☺️
I so needed this video! Thank you Laura!😊💕
Thank you so much for sharing this. I wondered how to clean pruners.
That was interesting especially the scrubbing bubbles part!
I never thought to use my scrubbing bubbles which I always have in the house. Last year I was trying to clean white sidng...Scrubbing Bubbles Foaming Bleach had me dong the happy dance it is amazing!
Thank you for that information.
Thanks Laura, that's awesome! Hey, I learned that if you have a bucket with sand and used engine oil to stick your tools in the bucket after use.....they say it keeps them nice and clean. I haven't tried it yet but it sounds good to me.
Hugs 💜🌱
Thank you for this great, to the point video! I need to do this and your tips will help.
Thanks for this video.
This video is soooooo needed. Thank a bunch!
Thank you for posting this information. I was afraid I was going to have to go the white vinegar and baking soda route! This looks much easier.
Thank you soooo much!!! Awesome video for a beginner like me.
Very helpful video. Thank you.
Thank you for posting this. It’s such a help.
What a helpful video!! Thank you Laura!
Oooh, boy, do I ever need to do this!
I've been waiting and waiting for this video. My garden tools are atrocious! Gonna get this done soon...so excited. Thank you!!!!
Thanks! Great help!
enjoyed your video thanks for showing that Its something I need to do
Thank you for this video. Thank you for your advise for sharpening. For the cleaning I am doing after each use.
In the past I threw away a few pruners. I regret it now. Thanks for the video, Laura 😍
A very helpful video!
Great reminder Laura. 👍
Thanks for this, good information to help keep everything in ready working order. Another good coffee with Laura video :)