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How to Clean and Store Your Garden Tools
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Fill a bucket with sand, and then pour vegetable oil evenly over the top. Push your tools through this mixture to help remove debris and to help protect them from winter water damage.
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There are a variety of jobs in and around the house that are best suited for the fall — tasks to maintain your home and to put the garden to bed. To give you ample time to prepare and plan, check out this guide to autumn upkeep.
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Around the House
- Check the exterior of your home for any signs of required repair. These signs include damaged, loose or missing shingles on the roof; deteriorating bricks or mortar on the chimney; warping or rotting siding; flaking of painted surfaces; and cracks or deterioration of foundations, driveways, patios or walkways.
- Ensure all gutters and downspouts are in working order (no leaks or blockages).
- Clean all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. While you're at it, change the batteries and run a test.
- Replace the furnace filter. You also might consider arranging for a heating professional to check your heating system (a service most gas companies provide for a small fee).
In the Garden
- Move houseplants inside (including container plants or shrubs that need to be brought in from the cold). The best time to make the move is when outside temperatures are similar to those indoors. Washing leaves with a mixture of mild soap and water will help plants respond better to diminished light and will help reduce the chance of pests being brought indoors.
- Plan next year's garden. Plant spring-blooming bulbs. (Cover them with a layer of chicken wire followed by soil to help discourage squirrels and raccoons.) Divide any perennials that need thinning (including peonies, daylilies and astilbes) six weeks before the first frost to give them time to establish themselves.
- Run all gas-powered equipment until the fuel is gone, or transfer gas to a proper storage container using a gas syphon. Consider having your lawn mower blades sharpened now, so they're ready to go in the spring.
- Clean and store your garden tools. Here's a clever trick: Fill a bucket with sand, and then pour vegetable oil evenly over the top. Push your tools through this mixture to help remove debris and also to help protect them from winter water damage.
- Close valves to outside faucets, and ensure all hoses are cleared of water before storing.
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