Checklist for Storing Garden Tools for Winter

Before you close up the garden shed, follow this checklist. You'll thank yourself when you find your tools and gear in working condition next spring!

HAND TOOLS

Clean every metal surface—scrape and scrub away soil, using water if necessary.
Once the surface is clean and dry, coat the metal with a layer of spray-lubricant, such as WD-40.
Sharpen pruners, loppers and shears with a whetstone.
Sharpen the edges of shovels and hoes with a bastard mill file.
Store short-handled tools together in a box or bin.
Hang long-handled tools on the wall of the shed, cellar or garage.

POWER TOOLS

Clean all surfaces and spray-lubricate any bare metal.
Run 4-cylinder engines until they are warm, then drain and replace the oil and clean the air filter. Run the engine until it is out of gas, or add a gasoline stabilizer to the tank.
Sharpen the lawn mower's blade.
Charge the lithium-ion batteries of battery-powered equipment to about 50 percent and store them in a dry space that will maintain a moderate temperature over the winter (between 40 and 70 degrees F is ideal).

CHEMICALS

Store any kind of chemicals (fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, etc, organic or not) in a cool, dry place (always out of the reach of children).
Synthetic fertilizers, especially those that contain calcium nitrate or ammonium nitrate, will absorb moisture from the air and lose nutrients unless tightly wrapped in plastic.

WATERING TOOLS

POTS AND POTTING MIX

Clean empty containers with a scrub brush and soapy water; stack them and put them away. Related: "Removing White Crust from Clay Pots"
Pots can be sterilized by dipping them in a 5-percent solution of Clorox bleach in water.
Tightly roll the tops of opened bags potting mixes and amendments to prevent them from drying out.

Do this before you close up the shed!