New garden tools are as exciting to a gardener as new school supplies to a first grader. We value our tools and want to take good care of them. Our intention is to keep them clean, sharp, and oiled for many seasons of valuable service. I store my hand tools in a simple way that addresses all these needs. Mix several drops of Three in One household oil into a bucket of clean sand. Pour the sand into a clay pot with the drainage hole covered. Store your tools standing up in the sand after scraping and washing off all the dirt. Every time a tool is pushed into or pulled out of the oiled sand the grit and oil help to clean, sharpen, and oil the tool. Keep the pot near your work area and your tools will always be readily available and easily put away. You will have happy gardening with clean sharp tools.
Pat Turner, Smith County Master Gardener
Texas AgriLife Extension Service
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