Summer’s coming, and I’ve been getting a bunch of questions about how to get garden furnishing ready for the busy growing season.
Truth is, most people just drag their stuff out of the shed and hope for the best! But taking a little time to prep your equipment now can save you so much hassle later.
I’ve seen too many gardeners stuck with mowers that won’t start or pruners that barely cut on the first nice weekend of summer. So frustrating!
Let’s talk about the simple things you can do to make sure your garden furnishings are actually ready when you need them.
How To Prepare Your Garden Equipment For Summer Use
Let’s be honest—garden equipment isn’t cheap. The stuff you’ve already bought deserves a little TLC before you put it to work. With just an afternoon of maintenance, your tools will work better, last longer, and make your landscape design way more enjoyable. Here are my top ten tips that’ll keep your equipment running smoothly all season long.
Clean All Tools Thoroughly
Getting rid of all that caked-on dirt and grime is step one. I grab old towels, a wire brush, and some warm soapy water to tackle my tools after they’ve been sitting all winter.
For hand tools like trowels and pruners, I scrub off any rust spots and dirt buildup. With bigger equipment like mowers or tillers, I use a putty knife to scrape off grass clippings and mud that got stuck underneath. Sometimes the garden care hose with a sprayer attachment works wonders for those hard-to-reach spots.
Don’t forget to dry everything completely! Leaving moisture on metal parts is asking for rust. After cleaning, I lay everything out in the sun for a bit or wipe them down with a dry cloth.
Sharpen Blades and Cutting Edges
Dull tools make gardening twice as hard. Your pruners should glide through stems, not crush them. And a sharp mower blade gives you a clean cut instead of tearing your grass.
For pruners and shears, I use a simple diamond file. Just follow the original angle of the blade—usually about 20 degrees. Four or five strokes is all it takes if you’re maintaining them regularly.
Mower blades need more attention. I remove the blade (after disconnecting the spark plug for safety!), secure it in a vise, and use a metal file to restore the edge. You don’t need to make it razor-sharp—just remove any nicks and create a clean edge.
If you’ve never sharpened tools before, most garden centers offer this service for a small fee. Or you could ask a handy neighbor to show you how. It’s not complicated once you see it done.
Check and Replace Engine Oil
Old, dirty oil is terrible for engines. It’s like trying to run a marathon without drinking water—eventually, things break down.
Most gas-powered garden equipment needs an oil change at the start of each season. I check the owner’s manual for the right type of oil, but most small engines use SAE 30 weight.
The process is pretty simple: warm up the engine for a minute, turn it off, place an oil pan underneath, remove the drain plug, and let all the old oil flow out. Then replace the plug, fill with fresh oil to the line on the dipstick, and you’re good to go.
If you didn’t change the oil before winter storage, definitely do it now. Oil gets gunky and acidic sitting in an unused engine for months.
Inspect Spark Plugs and Air Filters
If your equipment won’t start, spark plugs and air filters are often the culprits. They’re cheap and easy to replace, so don’t skip this step.
For spark plugs, I disconnect the wire, unscrew the old plug, and check if it looks worn or covered in deposits. A new spark plug costs about $3-5 and can make a huge difference in how easily your equipment starts.
Air quality gets clogged with dust and debris. Paper filters can sometimes be cleaned by tapping them gently, but if they’re really dirty, just replace them. Foam filters can be washed in soapy water, rinsed, dried, and lightly oiled before reinstalling.
My neighbor tried to use his leaf blower with a clogged air filter last year, and it ran for about two minutes before dying. Don’t be like my neighbor!
Test and Recharge Batteries
Battery-powered tools are awesome, but batteries hate sitting unused for months. Before the season starts, I charge all my batteries completely.
For riding mowers or other equipment with lead-acid batteries, check the fluid levels and terminals. Clean any corrosion off the terminals with a wire brush and baking soda solution.
If your rechargeable batteries won’t hold a charge anymore, it might be time for replacements. Most lithium-ion batteries last 3-5 years with proper care. I mark the purchase date on mine with a permanent marker so I know how old they are.
Sometimes storing batteries in a cold garage over winter can make them seem dead when they’re actually just cold. Bring them to room temperature before deciding they’re goners.
Lubricate Moving Parts
Squeaky wheels and sticky levers drive me nuts! A little lubricant goes a long way toward making tools work smoothly.
For pruners and shears, I put a drop of oil on the pivot point and any springs. For wheelbarrows and carts, the axles need grease or oil to roll easily. Mowers and other power equipment have specific lubrication points marked in the owner’s manual.
You don’t need fancy products—regular WD-40 works for many applications, though I prefer silicone spray for plastic parts and a thicker oil for heavy-duty equipment.
Just be careful not to over-lubricate, especially near belts. Speaking of belts, don’t forget to check your replacement lawn mower drive belt if yours is showing signs of wear or cracking. A broken belt in mid-summer can put your mowing on hold for days.
Tighten Nuts, Bolts, and Screws
Vibration from engines and regular use can loosen fasteners over time. I walk around my equipment with a set of wrenches and screwdrivers, tightening anything that’s loose.
Pay special attention to handle attachments, wheel bolts, and blade mounting hardware. On mowers, the bolts that hold the deck can work loose, causing weird vibrations and uneven cutting.
I once had a wheelbarrow that felt wobbly until I realized the wheel was barely attached! Just five minutes with a wrench made it solid again. Simple fixes make a big difference.
For bolts that constantly come loose, a tiny dab of thread locker (the blue kind, not the permanent red) can help keep things tight without making future adjustments impossible.
Check Fuel Supply and Stabilize Gasoline
Old gas is the number one reason equipment won’t start in spring. If you left fuel in your machines over winter without stabilizer, drain it and start fresh.
For equipment you’re prepping now, add fuel stabilizer to your gas can before filling up. This keeps the gas from degrading, even if it sits for weeks between uses.
I use ethanol-free gas in my small engines whenever possible. Ethanol attracts moisture and can gum up carburetors in equipment that sits unused. It costs a bit more but saves me headaches down the road.
Remember to check fuel lines and filters too. Cracked lines or clogged filters can starve the engine of fuel. I replace any fuel lines that look dry, cracked, or brittle.
Inspect Hoses, Cords, and Belts
Nothing stops a project faster than a broken hose or frayed power cord. I check every inch of these items before the season starts.
Garden hoses often develop leaks at the connections or get cracks along their length. I run water through each hose, looking for sprays or drips, and replace washers in the fittings if needed.
For power equipment, I inspect cords for cuts or exposed wires. Extension cords used outdoors take a beating, so I’m extra careful with those.
Belts on equipment like tillers and riding mowers stretch and crack over time. I look for glazing, fraying, or cracks, and replace any suspicious-looking belts. The manual usually has a diagram showing how to route replacement belts correctly.
Organize and Store Tools Properly
Having tools ready to grab makes gardening so much more enjoyable. I hang hand tools on pegboard or store them in buckets with sand mixed with a little oil to keep them clean and rust-free.
Power equipment needs proper storage too. I make sure everything has a designated spot in the garage or shed, preferably off the ground to prevent moisture damage. Covers for larger equipment keep dust and spiders away.
I also take a photo of my organized storage area when everything’s put away perfectly. Then when things get messy (which they always do), I have a reference for putting it back in order!
Conclusion
Taking care of your garden equipment isn’t complicated, but it makes such a difference when summer hits and you’re ready to go. Most of these maintenance tasks take just a few minutes each, and they’ll save you money and frustration in the long run.
What’s your garden equipment routine? Do you have any special tricks for keeping your tools in shape? I’d love to hear what works for you!
