Now that my garden has been cleared of plant debris and added to my compost pile and my wheat cover crop is growing, it is time to do some maintenance and proper care of my gardening tools.

    The following checklist will help preserve your gardening tools and help determine which pieces need to be replaced:

• Drain your garden hoses twice before storing and then coil to hang on your storage area wall.
   
• Clean all dried soil and vegetation from sprinklers. Be sure to oil all pivot points and springs. In addition, to prevent rust, cover all bare metal parts with penetrating oil.
   
• Clean dried soil and vegetation from the metal parts of hoes, rakes, trowels, spades, shovels, etc. with a wire brush. Again, to prevent rust, spray or apply penetrating oil to metal parts and cutting points.
   
• Sharpen all tools with a cutting edge, and then apply penetrating oil to the blades.
   
• Wipe down all wooden parts of hand tools and apply warmed linseed oil (place can of oil in boiling water for a minute or two). Warming the oil will help it to soak into the wood more efficiently.
   
• Check for loose screws, nuts and bolts — tighten or replace as needed. Also, check for broken or bent parts and replace or repair them.
   
• Rinse all pesticide-spraying equipment two or three times.
   
• Hang your equipment in the proper place after cleaning and oiling. This makes it much easier to locate next spring.

    Lets face it; we all have a favorite hoe or trowel and by taking the time to thoroughly check your gardening implements for needed repairs and proper storage for the winter season, you and your tools will be prepared next spring for a productive gardening season.

    Master Gardener tip: There will be a “Getting Started in Organic Farming” Workshop at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at the University of Delaware, Carvel Research and Education Center, 16483 County Seat Highway, Georgetown. To register or for more information, call 730-4000.