The Winter Garden Tool Box

Posted on 25/11/2011

With winter approaching many gardeners think they should be hanging up their tools, lubricating them and protecting them in a bid to put them to sleep for the winter and not bring them out until the snowdrops appear in the first flushes of spring.

However, there are still quite a few jobs that the tools may have to endure, and if this year’s winter is on a par to the last two, the garden toolbox is one staple the home is unable to live without.

There are essentials that should be in every gardener’s toolbox, and these will become multi-functional as the temperatures drop and fingers become cold.

What every gardener should own

The spade is the staple, although it won’t fit in a box, it will be one item that is used the most this winter. Even those who despise getting their hands dirty will nip to the nearest DIY store to buy a shiny new shovel that will sit in the boot of the car to help them out of a pickle. The spade will crack ice on the pond, so the fish don’t freeze and the ducks can swim, it will dig the car from the drive and it will act as a replacement snow shovel for paths and walkways alike.

Emergency break out!

The loppers should have had their end of season treatment by now, taking care of them is essential for an easy ride next year, however, there are still some uses over the winter with high winds and gale force rain, many hazards can be avoided with the use of some sharp loppers that can be relied upon in any emergency. The loppers should be treated with lubrication oil at the end of the season, as not only will this ensure all hinges and joints work perfectly and don’t seize over winter, it will also act as a barrier allowing moisture to fall off and reducing the risk of rust. 

With extreme weather conditions branches can fall on wires, or lean dangerously close to gutters and pipes, the loppers will make short work of this, and still in this season, a little foresight employed will ensure that this problem is never encountered. All bushes and trees should be trimmed to be at least two metres from cables and wires, ensuring any emergency is insignificant and very short lived.

Carefully does it!

Many electric shocks have occurred with homeowners trying to remove fallen branches from power lines themselves.

Duct tape is also another winter essential, although not often associated with gardening, duct tape will temporarily fix polytunnels, prolong the life of cracked glass in greenhouses and hold gutters to walls until the weather improves and a homeowner can venture out to fix it. Not only this, it works marvellously for stabilizing trees to stakes, although a little of an eyesore it’s strength cannot be denied and is constantly relied upon by many a winter gardener.

Still thinking about garden plants?