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Prepare and Store Your Landscaping Equipment for Winter

November 10, 2014 | posted by admin | in Self Storage, Storage

Good gardening and landscaping tools are expensive. Taking the time to clean them and store them properly, especially at the end of the season, will ensure they are ready to use in the spring and will help extend the life of your tools.

Before storing any of your tools, make sure they are properly cleaned and conditioned. Start by cleaning off any caked-on or dried dirt with a wire brush. If they are really bad, let them soak for a little bit first. Rinse them off and let them dry thoroughly. Next, sharpen or replace the blades on any tools that dig or cut. You can use a whetstone or file to sharpen them. Sand off any rust spots with fine sandpaper or steel wool. Once the blades and metal surfaces have been cleaned and sharpened, coat the metal with a lubricant or rust protectant.

The wooden handles on your tools also need to be checked and repaired. Inspect the handles for splinters, breaks, cracks, or areas of rough texture. Smooth out weathered or rough handles with a medium-grid emery cloth, which is more durable than sandpaper. Wipe a light coating of linseed oil or paste wax on the wooden handles to preserve and protect them from cracking or splitting. Don’t tape or glue a broken handle. If it is too far gone to repair, consider replacing the handle on high-quality tools.

Create an organized storage system for your tools, grouping them by function. You can store small tools, like hand trowels, in a bucket of sand soaked in linseed oil to help prevent rust. Hang rakes and sharp tools by the handle for safe storage.

Store water hoses indoors and out of the weather. Make sure they are properly drained and coiled. If there are any leaks, repair them with a hose repair kit, found at home improvement stores, so they’re ready to go in the spring.

Make sure your mower is properly prepared for storage. Drain the gas from your mower before storing it for the season. Do this by running the motor until it runs out of gas and the motor stops. Change the oil and remove the spark plugs. Replace the spark plugs if needed. Reinstall the spark plugs without connecting the ignition cable, then add a small amount of oil to the crankcase. Be sure to thoroughly clean the engine and frame of the mower to remove dirt and grass clippings, including on the underside. Clean and sharpen the blades to help prevent rust from developing.

For battery-powered equipment, like tractors or riding mowers, remove the battery and charge it completely. Consider charging it again once or twice over the winter to ensure it’s ready to use in the spring. Remove any dirt and debris, clean it thoroughly and store it out of the elements.

It can be challenging to find storage space for all of your garden equipment, especially large equipment like riding mowers or garden tractors and equipment that is used infrequently. A self storage unit from AAA Self Storage of Topeka is ideal for storing garden and landscaping equipment, keeping it secure and also protecting it from winter weather, including ice, snow, rain, and blowing dust. At the same time, it can be easily accessed when needed.

Storing your lawn and garden equipment in a self storage unit also makes it easier to keep your equipment organized, which in turn, can protect it from damage. Rather than trying to cram all of your equipment into whatever free space you have in your garage or shed, you can rent a self storage unit with plenty of space to store everything properly. AAA Self Storage of Topeka has units in a variety of sizes to choose from to accommodate all of your equipment. Use shelves and plastic containers to keep everything organized. This will allow you to locate what you need more quickly.

AAA Self Storage of Topeka offers month-to-month rentals, enabling you to rent a unit for only the amount of time you need it. No need to rent a unit year-round if you only need it for the winter months. A month-to-month lease also gives you the flexibility to move to a larger or smaller unit as needed. And best of all, storing your garden and landscaping equipment in self storage creates more space in your garage, allowing you to get your car in the garage before winter weather arrives.