As summer comes to a close, many of us are wrapped up in our fall harvest and maintenance tasks. Yet, all the while, looming around the corner is the chilly embrace of winter. It’s time for us to think ahead about what needs to be done to prepare our equipment for this harsh time of the year. Proper tools make a huge difference in pretty much any trade, and gardening is no different. Winterizing garden tools is a practice that not all gardeners think of doing. But those who do, know the benefits of it. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just learning the basics, this guide will give you tips and tricks for keeping your tools in tip-top shape and ready to spring into action as soon as the soil thaws.

Why Should You Winterize Garden Tools?

Protect Your Investment

Garden tools represent a significant investment. Proper care and maintenance protect the hard-earned cash you already spent and may even save you more money in the long run. Winterizing prevents avoidable damage that could happen in the off-season, which in turn, helps your tools to last for many years.

Ensure Spring Readiness

There’s nothing more frustrating than setting aside a beautiful spring day to initiate your garden, only to find that your tools are falling apart. A rusty trowel, dull pruners, and a non-functioning lawn mower are enough to rain on anyone’s spring parade! Winterization prevents these things from happening or at least allows you enough time to prepare to fix them promptly in the spring.

Safety

A simple fact of life is that well-maintained tools are safer to use. Dull blades, rusty rakes, and malfunctioning engines are all dangerous if not handled properly and are best avoided. Winterizing helps maintain the integrity of your tools, giving you the confidence you need to prune, dig, and mow as soon as you’d like each spring.

What Tools Benefit From Winterization?

Hand Tools

These include pruners, shears, loppers, shovels, spades, trowels, hoes, rakes, forks, and anything else. These tools can quickly become dull and rusty over the winter, making them harder to work with in the spring.

Power Tools

Common garden power tools including lawnmowers, tillers, cultivators, string trimmers, hedge trimmers, edgers, and other small engines. Proper preparation can prevent blades from becoming dull and ensure that engines function at their peak capacity year after year.

Irrigation Equipment

Garden hoses, sprinkler systems, drip irrigation systems, nozzles, connectors, and timers. If water is left inside tools like these and they are left outdoors all winter long, the wear and tear will significantly reduce their lifespan.

Miscellaneous Items

including pots, containers, garden furniture, water features, and bird baths and feeders. Anything that could easily be left outside to brave the harsh winter environment could use some winterization efforts. Protecting them, even in small ways, can significantly improve their outcome in the spring.

How to Winterize Garden Tools

Cleaning - If you do nothing else to winterize anything, please clean your tools and equipment! Use a stiff brush to scrub off soil and plant matter. Soak things in water if necessary, and use a little soap to get stubborn dirt and debris. Be sure to allow your items to completely dry before storing them. Doing so prevents rust from overtaking your metal tools. It also dramatically reduces the chances of accidentally carrying over pests and diseases from year to year. Specifically, disinfecting things like pruners is crucial to kill any lingering pathogens that could harm your plants next season. Use a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water and wipe everything down. Be sure to wear gloves when handling bleach!

Sharpening and Oiling - Use a file or sharpening stone to hone the edges of shovels, pruners, and shears. Follow the angle of the metal for best results. Apply a light coat of machine oil or mineral oil to the metal to prevent rust. Store your hanging tools in a dry, sheltered location. Using pegboards or wall-mounted racks in a garage is a great way to keep everything organized and off the ground.

Gas-Powered Small Engines - For lawnmowers, string trimmers, and other small gas-powered engines, run the engine until the fuel is gone to empty out the tank. Or add a fuel stabilizer to a full tank. Doing either of these prevents degradation and will preserve the engine's operation from year to year. Drain any oil and replace it with fresh oil as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Remove any debris, grass build-up, and dirt. Check and clean the air filter. Sharpen the blades if necessary. Add new string if applicable. Disconnect the spark plug for safety.

Battery-Powered Equipement - Follow the same cleaning steps as outlined above, but disconnect the batteries and store them indoors. Before storage, charge the battery to about half its capacity. Storing at this charge level helps minimize capacity loss over time.

Irrigation Equipment - Drain water out of all hoses, sprinklers, and drip systems. You may need to call your landscape or sprinkler system company for help with underground systems. Allow all the water to drain out of all equipment to prevent freezing and cracking. Coil hoses neatly and hang them up in a sheltered area. Store small parts like nozzles in labeled bags or containers.

Outdoor Miscellaneous Features - Empty soil from pots and containers to prevent cracking. Clean the pots with soapy water and then dry thoroughly. Store ceramic and terra-cotta indoors to prevent cracking. Clean garden and patio furniture and bring them indoors or secure them with covers. Prepare water features by removing and cleaning pumps. Store the pumps in a bucket of water indoors to prevent the seals from drying out. Cover the water feature area to prevent debris from getting in.

Storage Considerations - Storing tools in a climate-controlled area with limited humidity will always extend their life. As you are putting away your freshly cleaned and sharpened tools, take inventory to see what might need to be replaced or professionally maintained. Winter is a great time to purchase these types of tools, as many places have them on sale because they are out of season and not in high demand.

Taking these steps will keep your property and the tools you use to maintain it in top shape year-round. By dedicating time to properly care for and store your tools, you extend their life, protect your investment, and set yourself up for a successful gardening year ahead. So, as winter approaches, embrace this opportunity to tend to your tools with the same care you give your plants. Your future self—and your garden—will thank you.

Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer

I am a native of Southwestern Michigan, where I also reside, and I love all things plants! I got a Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture and found the first work-from-home job I could get. Now, I spend my days writing for TLM, playing with my dog, eating delicious food with my husband, and plotting my next landscape or gardening move. I believe everyone should get down and dirty in the soil now and then. Happy Gardening!