News

Second Saturday and Tools by Laverne Fuller

     As any do-it-yourselfer knows, the right tool can make all the difference in a project's success or failure.  The same goes for gardening.  Pruners or loppers?  Spade or shovel?  It all depends on the job.  Along with choosing the correct tool for the job, tools should be maintained for ease in use and so they will last.  Good tools are an investment and with proper care will serve you well for many years.  Be sure to clean your tools after each use.  Dirt and mud can be removed with a spray from the hose or a little scrub from steel wool or a grill brush.  Mixing used motor oil and sand in a tub and running your shovel or hoe through the mixture will help prevent rust.

     Keeping your tools sharp makes them easier to use and is better for plants.  Most folks can sharpen their own tools with a ten inch mill or bastard file.  When you file the blade, it is important to pull the file away from the edge and to maintain the angle of the factory bevel. 

     If your have questions or dull tools, bring them to the Halifax Farmer's Market, Saturday, September 14 between 8 and 11 a.m.  The Southside Master Gardeners will be there for their Second Saturday workshop on tool sharpening.  You can also support your neighbors who bring homegrown vegetables, fruit, organic meats, baked goods and other local products for sale at the market.  For questions about the Master Gardener program, call the Halifax Extension Office at 434-476-2147, visit the website at www.ssmga.org or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..