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Remove
caked on dirt or vegetation from all tools using a wire brush, scraper
or a strong stream of water. (The wire brushes marketed to clean grills
work well since they usually include a scraper.) Lubricate all pivot
points and springs. Sharpen hoes, spades, pruners, loppers and saws.
Check all tools thoroughly for loose screws or nuts and tighten them
accordingly. Replace or repair broken handles and other bent or broken
parts. Finally, spray all bare metal parts and cutting edges with
penetrating oil like WD-40 to prevent rust. Wipe wooden handles with
boiled linseed oil to help prevent wood from cracking and drying.
(Warming the oil before use allows deeper penetration into the wood.) Or
paint handles red or orange for quick location in the garden or your
neighbor’s garage. Colored tapes can also be used for quick location.
Hang tools in their proper storage spot so you can easily find them next
spring.
Sprayers
used for insect, disease, and weed control should be thoroughly washed
and rinsed. Most pesticides recommend triple rinsing. This includes all
parts of the sprayer from the holding tank to the nozzles. Apply oil to
moving parts as required; follow the directions provided for your
particular sprayer. Tip the sprayer upside down or hang upside down when
not in use so that they can drain and dry thoroughly.
Some
people prefer to use dusters as a way to apply insecticides and
fungicides. Keep dusters clean. Tap to remove all materials that remain
in the cracks and cling to surfaces. Lubricate dusters with graphite,
not oil, to prevent sticking.
Fertilizer
spreaders should be washed thoroughly as well. Wheelbarrows, carts and
wagons may also need some attention before winter. Clean them thoroughly
and touch up paint chips with spray paint to prevent exposed steel from
rusting. Grease wheels to prevent squeaking.
Power
equipment, such as lawn mowers, tillers and chippers, require additional
winter preparations. Always refer to the owner’s manual for specific
information. However, in general, the following steps can be taken to
winterize lawnmowers. Wipe the equipment to remove collected grease,
dirt and plant material. This should be done after each use. Tighten
loose screws and nuts. Sharpen cutting edges and wipe with an oily rag
if this wasn’t done earlier.
If your
equipment has a four-cycle engine, change the oil by following
instructions listed in its owner’s manual. Clean the oil and air
filter line by starting the engine and letting it run until it stops.
Two-cycle engines, or engines that run with a gas and oil mixture, also
should have the oil-gas mixture removed for the winter. Run the engine
with the choke open to remove fuel from the lines. Check the spark plug
and replace if it is worn. Replace other worn or damaged parts as well.
Avoid storing gasoline over the winter. Old gasoline does not ignite
easily, making the machines using it work harder.
For
string trimmers, sharpen the cutoff blade at the head of the trimmer
with a file. Also, inspect the spool and replace if it is worn out. If
it’s a gas trimmer, clean the air filter and change the spark plugs.
Clean the
chain on a chain saw by removing it and dipping it in mineral spirits.
When reinstalling the chain, be sure to set to the proper tension. Use a
thin wooden stick to clean the cooling fins. Inspect the engine on gas
chain saws, and clean the air filter and change the spark plug.
Hedge
trimmers require attention, too. Sharpen the blades, and lubricate with
an aerosol silicon spray to prevent rust. On electric trimmers, inspect
the power cord for nicks or other damage. Clean the air filter and
change the spark plug on gas-powered trimmers, and check the integrity
of the safety shield on all trimmers.
This is
the time of the year when many gardeners feel they’ve finally caught
up with all their activities. However, don’t put your feet up until
after the maintenance projects have been completed. |
