How to Get Your Garden Tools Ready for the Season

Get your tools cleaned and sharpened so they are ready to go for garden season.
The tools I'm working with today (I bought all of these)*:
➟ Ladies Spade: bit.ly/sneeboerladiesspade
➟ Border Fork: bit.ly/borderfork
➟ Planting Trowel: bit.ly/plantingtrowel
➟ Cape Cod Weeder: bit.ly/capecodeweeder
➟ Weeding Finger: bit.ly/weedingfinger
➟ Short Perennial Spade: bit.ly/perennialspade
➟ Favorite hand pruner: bit.ly/niwakipruners
➟ Small blade sharpening stone: bit.ly/sharpstonebrown
➟ Whetsone sharpener: bit.ly/sneeboerwhetstone
➟ Long-handled edging shears (shop around .... the Amazon price is high!): amzn.to/3KrQRuF
➟ 3-in-ONE oil: amzn.to/3KtEdeU
➟ Oil dispenser + Camellia Oil: bit.ly/oilbingodobber
* For many tools I'm linking to Garden Tool Company. You can buy Sneeboer tools from many places, but I prefer to shop with them as it is small business owned by a nice couple who are experts in these tools. I have reached out via phone and email many times for advice on choosing the right tool and they have been so helpful.
My name is Erin and I love sharing inspiration and information with real-life gardeners. I live and garden in southeastern Wisconsin, zone 5b.
If you liked this video give it a thumbs up and if you loved it, please subscribe and click the bell so you never miss a new video! Thank you for your support.
🌿Blog: www.theimpatientgardener.com
🌿Facebook: / impatientgardener
🌿Instagram: / impatientgardener
📩 [e-mail]
Some affiliate links may appear. I may make a small commission if you purchase through these links. Thanks for your support. You can see all my favorite products on my Amazon storefront at www.amazon.com/shop/impatient...
Some of my favorite garden gear:
➟ Amazon store: www.amazon.com/shop/impatient...
➟ Deer repellent: amzn.to/3gnPu46
➟ Inexpensive soil scoop: amzn.to/2TA4PWp
➟ Gardening gloves: amzn.to/3pVoUT3
➟ Seed storage boxes: amzn.to/3gqAfHC
Music in my videos from: bit.ly/39wBm5f
Mail to:
USPS: The Impatient Gardener
P.O. Box 99
Belgium, WI 53004
UPS/FedEx: The Impatient Gardener
125 E. Main St.
Port Washington, WI 53074

[@findmysoulgarden914]

May the forks be with you!!!

[@TheImpatientGardener]

That comment deserves a pin! 🤣

[@findmysoulgarden914]

@@TheImpatientGardener I couldn't help myself..🤣🤣🤣🤣🙌✌️

[@lchugh6187]

"Go forth & sharpen your tools." You make me laugh, Erin. Much appreciated!

[@kimberlycalloway4562]

Hi, Erin! Welcome to the “if you have more than flip flops on, you’re overdressed” club! You’ll fit right in here, for sure!!! Lol, that is too funny….I just told my husband the other day that I save him lots of money on therapy and shopping…plants are my therapy and all I need is a rather hefty gardening budget and we’ll all be happy! Love it! Thanks for the clean up tips…and the laughs as well! Very relatable!

[@slomo1716]

We used to call those "little things" pumice stones for sharpening our tools. Not to be confused with those things people use for scaley feet. Great video - loved the admission like that at AA meetings, "I am Erin and I like to buy fancy garden tools"! I am Mary and I like to believe I know how to garden. LOL

[@mikrostone3149]

LOL 😂

[@Adones09]

4:32, I'm a grown @ss man, but I giggled at this.

[@sarahlovesdonuts9601]

Erin you are the Patron Saint of Garden Tools😘. Thank you!

[@karenanderson6985]

I have tool envy.

[@silverteagardens8523]

I’m not into fancy purses or designer shoes either. Give me a garden tool and I’m a happy girl! Very informative video. I used my pruners on my limelight’s yesterday and butchered it! My pruners are dull so this video was right on time. Thank you!

[@heatherw.2751]

I can relate! Last Christmas my husband got me a new weedeater and I was ecstatic! Literally jumped up and down. I’m such a dork lol!

[@silverteacakes]

@@heatherw.2751 What a nice gift. I want to learn how to use a weed eater. My husband thinks I will hurt myself. 🤪

[@ib-fine]

Taking better care for my tools is needed

[@nmhbreslin]

I don’t know about anyone else….but I really did not need to know about the fancy garden tool site! 😳🙈👩🏻‍🌾 thanks Erin! I’m off to clean and sharpen my unfancy garden tools.

[@wendyrossman3756]

You inspired me. I sharped all our tools ( man to we have a lot). Thank you so much for your steps. In all honesty I have never done this.

[@marymathis9299]

Can’t believe you brought all those tools into the kitchen and piled them on to the kitchen table, 😬🤫😁 which I must add is a very nicely decorated area, anyway, you just kill me! Love it! Thanks for the good help! 🍄😁❤️

[@shannonholmberg8835]

Oh that my tools would look as divine as thine. Great video.

[@sonnysome3201]

"I carry around a credit card in my pocket and wear flip-flops - it's just me" You and me both Erin, you and me both.

[@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane]

The beginning of your video made me wonder if you were starting to lose it because you haven't been able to garden all winter... "look out everyone, Erin's got the Cabin Fever!!!" 🤣 🤣 🤣 Or maybe it's Spring Fever, idk! Thanks for the laughs, and the reminder of what I didn't get done last fall and need to do soon!

[@marianafranowicz]

Good presentation ! Putting on a line with a permanent marker what a good idea .

[@dartlanddunbar5842]

I'm not much of a planner or the most organized, but I do follow my grandmother's advice. I have a five gallon bucket filled with sand and oil. I always rinse my tools and then push them in and out of the oiled sand before storing them.

[@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane]

Do you use linseed oil in the sand?

[@dartlanddunbar5842]

@@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane good morning. Just fresh motor oil. This was a working farm with many trucks, tractors, farm/horse transport stuff. They used what was readily available.

[@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane]

@@dartlanddunbar5842 Good morning, and thank you for responding! I have an older friend who said her father took really good care of his garden tools and I remember her saying he would dunk them in a bucket of sand and oil after rinsing them off... I think she said it was linseed oil, but I'm not sure...? Seems like a fairly easy and quick way to keep 'em in good shape! People had so much more common sense back then, thanks for passing that along! 😀

[@jilladcock5648]

I am terrible at leaving my tools out and not taking good care of them. I bought myself some nice tools as a retirement gift to myself with the best intentions of caring for them properly. It is goal #1 of my first year as a gardener retired from the rat race!

[@melissakowalski7621]

That pumice stone looks like the same thing I use to clean hard water stains out of my toilet. I'll pick up a separate one for garden tools if it is, of course 😉

[@mdwalker3034]

I can totally relate regarding my Hubby finding miscellaneous tools in our garden beds throughout the season! Top 10 best Christmas gift I ever received was a Niwaki tool maintenance kit. Followed your past videos on how to use. Perfection! Thank you for all your tips, Erin.

[@heatherw.2751]

Erin, you are so right! Gardening is hard and hard on the body. I had surgery on both hands and wrists this past year from abusing my body in the landscape business for 13 years. Take care of yourselves out there!!! Great video, thanks!

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Yikes! That’s what I’m trying to avoid. Between typing all day and gardening the rest of the waking hours I’m just carpal tunnel waiting to happen. It nearly took me out last year so that was a bit of a wake up call that we need to take care of the bodies that take care of us. I hope you’re all healed up and back in action.

[@heatherw.2751]

Yes, take care of yourself!! I hope you won’t have to resort to surgery. Have a wonderful weekend!!

[@auntiereeses5864]

​@@TheImpatientGardener I went to a physical therapist who believed that posture exercises were more effective at reversing carpal tunnel symptoms than carpal tunnel exercises. Or perhaps she said they're just as necessary? Not sure now. I was there for other pains. But something to look into?

[@darinbennett3638]

Erin, thanks for the information on how you take care of your tools...very informative. I gotta say that for some reason there are times watching your videos is like watching a Carol Burnett video...you just never know! The beginning of the video made me think of a cheap horror film and the possibility that "Mr. More Patient Than Me" had done something wrong. Ok, enough of that. You're awesome and I always appreciate your teaching.

[@heatherw.2751]

Yes! Erin cracks me up! She is so relatable!

[@mikrostone3149]

😂❤️ I went to the original video where Erin lets us hear the sound of her boxwood pruners, "they cut like butter." Love that sound and lived that she guarded her hair from getting in the way. 😄

[@GardenKath]

I had my finger on the mute button in case you used the metal file. For some reason they give me the jim jams. 😂 That last pan over your finished tools was deeply satisfying!

[@meandmysunshine1]

Fabulous video! I knew I had to take care of my tools, I just did not know how. Then they get put away for the winter, and I forget them till spring! I will pull them all out and clean, sharpen and oil. Thank you so much for posting!

[@shirleynall9048]

I soaked my horribly rusted pruners in coke. It only took about 20 minutes. All the rust dissolved and I was able to sharpen and oil them. It was amazing to see how the coke worked.

[@wayneessar7489]

Strong coffee works good too!

[@dartlanddunbar5842]

Oh my goodness!, my grandmother drinks four to five cokes a day. If it cleans rust, what does it do to the human body?

[@wayneessar7489]

@@dartlanddunbar5842 She has shiney insides!

[@dartlanddunbar5842]

@@wayneessar7489 That's why, at 93, she has such a happy, positive nature. She's shiny and happy on the inside!😊

[@wayneessar7489]

@@dartlanddunbar5842 Please tell her we treasure her!

[@nachig4754]

Thank you Erin, I love tools myself Erin, and the expensive ones are sooo beautiful, I am glad , I am not the only weirdo. LOL. Thank you, great video

[@DawnRenae22]

I clearly need to up my responsible-gardener game!! Thx for this video!

[@jcking6785]

Excellent advice! I have my great grandmother’s spade and garden fork (she died in 1940)! I don’t use them out of fear of breaking their wooden handles but I’m sure they could use a little TLC especially some oil on that very old wood. Thanks for the reminder.

[@christinewarnaar-bates3494]

I am always afraid I'm going to file the angle incorrectly and wreck my tools. You've given me hope! I do manage to keep my tools clean. I find the handiest tool to do that with is a BBQ brush with the steel bristles. The little metal thing on the edge is great for digfing out dirt in shovel crevices. Then I dunk them in a small pail of sand in which I've poured motor oil.

[@mikrostone3149]

Haha. Loved all these tools and I'm inspired to clean mine, which I never have!! My almost 20 year old is sick at home from work and he watched this video with me. "Is this what you watch regularly for your gardening ideas? She sounds like a very down to earth person and she's funny. I like her better than .... She is so pretty!" Thanks you Erin for this video. I feel like I know what I need to do to have clean and sharp tools now. 🌻

[@Raekonn]

For anyone that wants to know, that cleaning stone should be made of pumice, stones like that are often used for cleaning bbq grills. If you search for grill cleaning stone, many cheaper alternatives come up that look exactly like that.

[@brettmason1942]

Great video, I do similar thing. One thing I do is use graphite paint on the shovel blades.

[@bill4123]

At the beginning of the video you mentioned enjoying nice garden tools. Look into getting a nice wooden handle for that flat file. It'll be safer for your palm and supremely elevates the experience of using the file.

[@peggyriordan9857]

We must think alike in these matters as I just did the same thing this past weekend! I use the 3 in 1 oil though. I have my Grandfather's sharpening files and they are wonderful. I have great memories while sharpening the tools. I remember him doing the same thing and that is how I learned. Thank you!

[@TheImpatientGardener]

That is even better. I wish I had something like that from my grandfather, who was a huge tool collector himself. And 3-in-1 works great.

[@betsymaltby6788]

The information you post about gardening tools is as essential as everything else we do as gardeners. Thank you for all of your "gardening tools" videos!

[@cherylbelott]

This was such an informative video! Thanks Erin! And that sharpie trick, genius!! 🌱 🌸

[@ineedmickey5170]

Buying fancy tools , with flip flops....Preach.....🥴🤣

[@FrediOlson]

Erin, you will love that hand rake! The shape of the prongs is wonderful as they don't collect debris. Been looking for another one and now I know where to look!

[@MaryBornforHealth]

Thanks, Erin! I've always been intimidated by sharpening tools. i was raised that there were guy things and women's things. Sharpening tools was a "guy" thing. I've been wanting to do this for some time and I so appreciate you just digging in and doing it! I think I can tackle the job now.

[@lauratruthseekingWarrior]

I never clean our garden tools anymore, hubby does when they look kind of bad and they start to rust. We have some older ones and they still work great because he cleaned the rust off and oiled them.

[@amydeeds6248]

I need that lady spade-I’m 5’ 2” also. And yes, definitely take care of your body-my hands ache after a day of weeding and I’m just in my early 50s. Great video ☺️

[@dwohio8283]

Thanks for the reminder, I haven't done this in a while.

[@peggydove8756]

Great video! I have a problem also! 😂 Plants mostly , some tools. My husband says I need help! 😃

[@waykeeperfarmandnerdery]

This is so helpful, thank you so much for sharing your steps and process.... especially for those of us who forget our tools outside too!

[@Talula72]

Cleaning and sharpening my pruners is on the to do list, on the other hand my shovels were totally off the radar. Thanks for the reminder.

[@adz5bneweng589]

Highly recommend the straight handle Root Slayer Nomad shovel! Small AND mighty! I use it 6 days a week in my gardening business.

[@susanburgoyne1906]

Great video. Unfortunately my tools are trapped in our frozen-shut shed.

[@rhondavanmeter5015]

My boyfriend takes some things to his grinder. I've not oiled them before, but just ordered some from Amazon while watching this video.

[@letsgotravel7724]

This was such an informative video, thank you so much! Plus I totally forgot that I should be doing this and you’re right, now is the perfect time. By the way I’m the same height as you, so I understand the short girl issues! I’ve been following you for two years and I learn something new every time I watch you.

[@denisewax5396]

I love my mini rake, I use it to pull mulch away from plant, put down compost,fertilizer, scratch it in, works great.

[@lorelynleisure4048]

You remind me of me... If I can remember to get the tools back inside at the end of the day I am doing great! lol! Thank you for the tips!

[@JJ-fm3hr]

my name is JJ and i like to buy fancy yard tools too

[@leslienichols5268]

Everything looks so nice!

[@awildapproach]

SO FREAKING HELPFUL! Thank you🥺💓

[@stephanieferguson5602]

Thank you! Going to do this right now!

[@user-ms6rm1fc9x]

Just what I needed. Thnx

[@annmariebell4232]

Can't wait to try this. Terrific video!

[@Whisperhollow]

Oh what lovely Sneeboers!!

[@Whisperhollow]

My favorite tool is a raised bed wrotter! That thing is a wicked zombie apocalypse weapon and it weeds and thins the cactus and spike plants nicely.

[@ESF19791111]

GOOD EXPLANATION VIDEO SHOW :) THANK YOU FOR SHARING :) I DID A THUMB-UP ABOUT THE VIDEO AND SUBSCRIBED TO THE CHANNEL :) THANK YOU FROM ISRAEL :)

[@maryannrichmond537]

Crud! The lady’s spade is sold out!

[@suburbangardeningcouple]

I think we know which tool is broken…we remember that video 😆

[@dorrrellmyers288]

Soooooo beautiful 😍 ❤ 💖

[@junoharpoon]

Great video, Erin. So satisfying!

[@frasersgirl4383]

Great video!! Thanks!!

[@susankilpatrick2918]

Terrific video Erin! Thanks!

[@terrya.]

Great video!!! Thanks, Erin!

[@seniyeshepherd3050]

Thanks Erin, it was very helpful ❤

[@bruceagneberg5824]

You are so practical! Love it!!

[@adz5bneweng589]

Getting ready to do this with my tools - thanks for the info!

[@gwenwade6059]

Great instruction.

[@janesheppard9467]

The best way to get ready in the spring is to have cleaned and put away your tools each time they’re used. My kids laugh because I wash my hoe and shovel when I’m done with them, but they also reach for the shiny tools of mine rather than their rusty tools. I treat them just like I do my cooking tools in the kitchen.

[@TheImpatientGardener]

I am so impressed! I aspire to this goal but it never happens.

[@stephaniesharkey3538]

I read yrs and yrs ago from Martha Stewert no less to store ( over winter?) tools in some sand and 3 &1 oil in a bucket! I’ve done it but I do wipe down my all the time to preserve edge and not transfer mold , fungus. I’m in the south , GA zone 8! Great vlog Erin!thx

[@TheImpatientGardener]

That does work!

[@khalidmzd]

Looks like lot of them from Sneeboer. They deserve this amount of care if you think of price…😂

[@christinahaftmann4065]

Thanks for the fun video! 🍃 🌹 🍃

[@wayneessar7489]

I have a small backpack and garden tools!

[@kbechtel33]

Great 👍

[@michelejensen7420]

I don’t have as gorgeous tools as you do (yes, I called your tools gorgeous 😉) but I am a garden tool junkie as well, so I can totally relate to this video. Loved it!! I will watch this multiple times. ♥️ p.s. can you share a link to the linseed oil that you used?

[@katherinespencer2073]

I clean my tools after every use...outdoors. In Fall I also treat them with WD40 to store...and handles get painted or liquid floor waxed whenever I am using such products in the house or outdoors. I also love my tools & everything I think i'd like to purchase...i compare the price to something for my places...plants, soil, patio blocks, lumber, roofing, deck screws...the important stuff to get ahead. My immigrant mindset maybe. Buy for the future, a good future & take care of everything cus if you have to spend repurchasing the same thing, you never really get ahead do you? When sanding metal, outside, always wear safety glasses, especially if using a bastard file.

[@solarrules]

Great video, thank you! Would you tell me where you got those tool racks I see at the beginning?

[@theresaodwyer2026]

Love your channel! These tools are practical and beautiful, so sad they are all sold out😔 Excellent demonstrations on caring for them. I’m now aware that I shouldn’t leave them in the yard overnight…oops

[@vlink4071]

I believe you are supposed to use 3- in -1 oil while you are sharpening your blades.

[@doreentetleton6850]

Erin , what is the name of the long handle stone sharpening tool. Where is it from?? Thank you. Love your videos in Tn!

[@kaylynnlitersky2342]

Do you sharpen your Japanese grass sickles?

[@ginacampbell3418]

I too buy fancy garden tools and don't carry a purse 💚

[@nicoler.7425]

Shouldn't a wet stone essentially be wet when sharpening?

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Yes, they should and I had soaked this one prior to starting, but failed to mention that. I didn't rewet it while sharpening and that may have been helpful but I think since it was soaked thoroughly, all good.

[@karenh.7086]

Thank you as always but I still feel lazy🙄

[@RevAcres01]

LOL!

[@karenh.7086]

Now I feel lazy

[@deano1018]

I soo needed this tutorial since I’m negligent in sharpening my tools 🧰 thanks 🙏🏼 great advice