15 Best Rototiller For Small Garden

Best Rototiller For Small Garden in 2023

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A Guide to Keeping Garden Tools Sharp

Sharp tools make work easier and safer. The same holds true for all garden tools.

You also keep plants healthy when you work with sharp tools. Dull gardening shears can split and tear stems, opening them to infection. Sharp shears make clean cuts that heal quickly.

How often you need to sharpen tools depends of what kind of soil you have, how frequently you use the tool, and whether or not you use it correctly.

The type of soil is the key. Sandy soil is abrasive, and digging or hoeing in this type of soil will rapidly pit and dull most tools.

The more you use a tool, the more often you will have to sharpen it. However, some tools, such as shovels are self-sharpening. Regular use can maintain their edges.

Misuse is the fastest way to dull a sharp garden tool. Some actions such as dropping a tool on concrete or using a hoe to break through rock, will quickly dull the tool. If you use garden tools for their intended purposes and maintain them properly, they will keep their sharp edges for longer.

The basic instruments for sharpening garden tools are files, whetstones and grinders. Hand files are available at garden centers and hardware stores and are sold according to how coarse they are. Buy several types to sharpen a variety of tools, such as spades and hoes.

Power grinders quickly sharpen tools, but remove a great deal of metal and can be tricky to use. For the home gardener a hand file is usually easier to handle and use for periodic sharpening. Larger, heavier garden tools are best sharpened on a grinder by a professional.

Whetstones are porous stones that provide extremely sharp edges on tools. The flat stone needs enough oil to work well. Soak a new stone in oil until it thoroughly absorbs the liquid. Then, store it in a zip lock plastic bag. Shears and knives are ideal for sharpening with a whetstone.

Your tool-sharpening routine should include the removal of rust. Use a wire brush on a grinder or a wire wheel attachment on a power drill for large areas. On smaller tools, such as trowels, use steel wool. Spray the cleaned tool with penetrating oil to keep rust from returning.

To sharpen a large blade such as a blade from a lawn mower, firstly remove it from the lawnmower after the mower is completely shut off. Use a hand file to sharpen the blade to the existing level or to about a 30 degree angle. Apply pressure on the downward stroke.

Reposition the blade in the vice and repeat the process on the other side. Try to remove the same amount of metal on each side. Check the balance of the blade by hanging it on a nail. If one side is heavier, repeat the sharpening process until the blade balances.

To sharpen small cutters such as secateurs place the secateurs' handles in a vice. Sharpen the blade with a smooth, upward motion along the edge of the blade. Check the sharpness by cutting a hard, green stem from a rose or shrub. The blade should cut smoothly and easily. Oil the hinge or central pivot of the pruning shears. Make several cutting motions to check the action.

Following are some common garden tools that need to be kept sharp.

The square edged garden spade must be able to cut roots and create precise edges in garden beds so would benefit from a yearly touch-up sharpening to maintain a double-beveled edge.

A shovel can have round, square or pointed edges and needs to be sharp for ease of use. Most shovels are forged or stamped and self-sharpen from the action of digging.

Grass clipper blades must have a sharp edge to avoid binding which makes clipping much more difficult. Their long blades need an occasional, light whetstone sharpening; follow the outside bevel.

Chain saws have small blades along the chain which must be kept very sharp to cut without binding. Sharpen them regularly using a file holder and file. Also oil them after sharpening.

Hoe blades must be able to chop weeds and cut through soil smoothly. Sharpen the blade to a mild angle for weeds, or a severe angle for chopping hard ground.

A pruning saw has a curved or straight saw blade and must move smoothly to cut through limbs. Use a knife file, and file to the bevel pattern; file one side and then the other.

Parrot-beak secateurs have a cutting blade that needs regular sharpening to make clean cuts. Use a fine hand file, carefully filing to a very sharp edge.

Make sharpening dull tools an integral part of your ongoing garden routine. If tools do not hold an edge, or seem to need sharpening after every use, it may be a sign that you need to replace them.