Tips from a Master Gardener: Keep those tools sharp!

As a master gardener, these late winter months are usually for planning your garden and starting seeds. But there's one thing you should add to this this, and that is tool care. From pruning shears to spades, every implement plays a crucial role in nurturing your garden. However, amidst the hustle of planting and pruning, one aspect often gets overlooked – bringing those tools in for some much-needed TLC!

While you're planning the peonies, you should also be making an appointment with Noon Sharpening to get your tools ready for action.  Here's why:

Precision Cuts

Sharp tools ensure precise cuts, which are essential for the health of your plants. A clean cut promotes faster healing, reducing the risk of diseases and infections. Whether you're trimming branches or deadheading flowers, sharp pruners and shears make the task effortless and minimize stress on the plants.

Efficiency

Gardening is a labor of love, but it can also be physically demanding. Sharp tools reduce the effort required for cutting, digging, and weeding. With sharp blades, you'll spend less time and energy on each task, allowing you to accomplish more in your garden. Efficiency not only saves time but also makes gardening more enjoyable.

Reduced Strain

Using dull tools can strain your muscles and joints as you exert extra force to compensate for the lack of sharpness. This strain can lead to fatigue and even injury over time. Sharp tools glide through soil, branches, and roots with ease, minimizing strain on your body and allowing you to work comfortably for longer periods.

Healthier Plants

When you prune with dull tools, you risk causing damage to the plant tissue, leaving it vulnerable to pests and diseases. Clean cuts, made possible by sharp tools, promote healthy growth, and reduce the likelihood of plant stress. By investing in sharp implements, you're investing in the overall well-being of your garden.

Longevity of Tools

Regular maintenance, including sharpening, prolongs the life of your gardening tools. Dull blades are more prone to nicks and chips, which can irreversibly damage the cutting edge. By keeping your tools sharp, you'll extend their lifespan, saving you money in the long run and ensuring consistent performance season after season.

So, fellow plant people, do yourself and your garden a favor.  Gather the shears, the spades and all the blades and get them in before the season starts!

-Amanda B.

The Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer