Clean up your tools for winter

November 8, 7:36 PMChicago Gardening ExaminerJaime Zaplatosch

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As you wrap up your garden for the growing season, remember to take care of your tools. We spend a good amount of money on quality garden tools. They need special attention every year if they are to last and prove continually useful.

• Make sure you disconnect hoses from any water spouts, wrap them up and bring them inside your garage or basement to protect them and keep them from cracking during changes in temperature.
• Turn off the water running to outside spigots so that the pipes don't freeze and crack, demanding replacement once the weather warms.
• Clean all the soil and debris from your metal tools. Hose them off and let them dry in a well ventilated location so that they don't rust. Hardened soil will cause shovel blades to become dull over time.
• Bring out your file and sharpen the edges of your shovels and pruners so that they remain helpers in your garden instead of hindrances.
• Oil up the wooden handles of any tools that you have so to ensure that they don't dry up and eventually split.
• Bring your tools inside so that they are protected from weather changes during the time that they are not being used.