Before you store your gardening tools for the winter season, take time this fall to clean and care for them. The time and effort you put in now will keep your tools in tip top shape and extend their life.

Step 1- Clean your tools with a stiff bristle brush, wire brush, paint scraper, or blast of water to remove dirt and debris. Use steel wool to remove rust and sap. Or put a few drops of oil on a cotton rag and rub sap from tools and blades. Lightly sand wooden handles with a medium grit sandpaper to eliminate splinters. Wash tools with warm, soapy water and let them air dry. If it’s a sunny day, use the sunshine to dry your tools!

Step 2 – Disinfect tools with 70% alcohol (best for sharp blades) or a 10% bleach solution. Avoid routinely using bleach wipes because the bleach will corrode metal.

Step 3 – Sharpen your tools. You can get them professionally sharpened or do it yourself. For digging tools like spades, shovels, or hoes, use a Continue reading End of Season ….CLEANING YOUR GARDENING TOOLS →

– Christine Gelley, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, Noble County OSU Extension

A fresh tree can draw up 2 qts or more water on the first day in the tree stand.

Bringing the outdoors in as decoration is a popular tradition this time of year. We just finished our annual Holiday Wreath Making Workshop where we did just that and what a fun time we always have. Our local tree farms will be opening after Thanksgiving! Can you believe it is that time already? I encourage you to shop early this year and be prepared to take good care of your live tree so it lasts in beautiful condition until New Year’s Day. The drought of 2024 may impact the availability of trees and their longevity if not pampered in your home.

For some, décor that looks like real plant material is a must and for others, real is the only way to go. I respect both options but given the choice, I will go for real evergreen material for our tree, wreaths, swags, and garlands. If you like to keep it real for the holidays like I do, keep Continue reading Keeping it Real for the Holidays →

Be sure to listen in to the interview with Jeanette Curtis regarding all the ways you as a family can give back to help out!! Lots of great ideas !! click on the link below to listen in !  https://u.osu.edu/thenews/2024/11/01/looking-for-ways-to-give-back-for-thanksgiving-fairfield-211-has-ideas/

– Christine Gelley, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, Noble County OSU Extension

Leaf litter can be composted.

While there are many tasks on a gardeners list in the fall, the “clean up” that is best for our ecosystem may not look all that “clean”. Leaving residue on the soil is beneficial in many ways, especially deciduous tree leaf litter. Leaf litter may seem like a nuisance, but the litter is a valuable resource that I hope you will consider recycling.

Leaves contain valuable nutrients for soil health. Healthy soils provide plants and animals with healthy habitats. Keep the nutrients held within fallen leaves in use by reincorporating them into your landscape in the form of compost or mulch.

It is important to take Continue reading Leave the Leaves →