COLUMN: Proper winter storage of gardening equipment needs consideration

The leaves are falling, the air temperatures are changing, so it must be getting close to winter. Winter maintenance of landscape tools before storage is just as important as maintaining them when they are being used.

The lawn mower, or any other small gas engine equipment, is probably the most expensive tools used. Following the manufacturer’s recommendations through an established service and maintenance program will guarantee a trouble free and long-life mower.

When preparing the mower for storage, remove the fuel from the tank by letting the mower run out of gas. When the engine starts to sputter, operate the choke lever to help completely drain the carburetor.

Next, remove the spark plug and insert a teaspoon of SAE 10 crankcase oil or other storage lubricants in the cylinder. Crank the engine several times to distribute the oil and then stop the engine with the piston at the top stroke. Replace the spark plug with the right gap setting, but leave the wire disconnected. Replace the air filter especially if the mower was used in dusty conditions.

Clean the outside of the engine, including the cooling fins on the cylinder and head. Turn the mower on its side, scrap off any grass clippings that have collected and wash the underside of the deck with a strong spray of water. All exposed unpainted metal parts should be coated with grease or heavy oil.

Before turning the mower back over, check the blade for sharpness and wear. If the blade has large nicks, bent or wore down from sharpening, then replace it. To sharpen the blade, use a file on the topside of the cutting edge at both ends of the blade. The blade will remain balanced if the same amount of material is removed from both cutting edges.

Weedeaters and leaf blower engines should be treated similar to the mower. However, because most are two stoke engines, follow the manufacturers recommendation for winter storage. Check weedeater string head for worn parts and replace if necessary. Make sure blower fans are cleared of any foreign matter and working properly.

If the equipment is battery drive, charge the battery to full capacity and replace on the equipment. Unplug the charger and place it in a protected area.

Another gardening tool that is often overlooked on maintenance, are cultivating tools such as spades, hoes and forks. These tools should be cleaned of any dirt or rust that has collected on the metal part and a thin coat of grease or heavy oil rub into the metal. Tools with a nonstick coating may make clearing and working the soil easier, but the coating may wear off after heavy use. The wooden part should be coated with linseed oil to protect from cracking and drying out.

Pruning and cutting tools should also be maintained before storing for the winter. Cleaning the blades of cutting tools after each use is better than just cleaning before storage. The blade should be cleaned with an oil rag or steel wool to remove any dried sap and rust. Periodically tighten the blade tension of garden shears so they cut more evenly.

Most pruning tools are easy to sharpen with a file. Remove any blades that are badly blunted or damaged, and regrind or replace them. A professional sharpener should sharpen a pruning saw because of the pitch requirement of each cutting tooth.

Irrigation equipment such as hoses and sprinklers are a small investment but should be stored for the winter. Hoses should be disconnected from the faucet to keep it from freezing. Hoses should be drained, rolled up, and stored inside. Sprinklers should be drained and brought inside to keep them from freezing. Since hoses and sprinklers may be used in the winter, store them in an easily accessible area.