As autumn draws to a close and the garden begins to slow down, now is a good time to give a little attention to the tools that have worked hard throughout the growing season.
Secateurs are amongst the most frequently used tools in any gardener's collection, from pruning roses and shrubs to cutting back spent growth. But after months of use, it's not unusual for blades to become covered in sap, lose their sharp edge or begin showing signs of rust.
As the saying goes, look after your tools and they'll look after you! A little regular maintenance can make all the difference, keeping your secateurs working properly and helping them last for years to come.
Here are a few simple steps worth following.
Start with a Good Clean
Before thinking about sharpening, the first job is to remove any dirt, sap and plant residue that has built up on the blades.
During pruning, plants release sap that can leave a surprisingly stubborn, sticky coating. If left untreated, this can make the blades harder to open and close, increase friction and affect the quality of the cut.
Start by brushing away any loose dirt before wiping the blades clean. For more stubborn deposits, a specialist Garden Tool Spray Cleaner makes the job considerably easier, helping to break down sap and residue without endless scrubbing.
It's also worth paying attention to the spring and pivot, where dirt can gradually accumulate.
Once everything is clean, dry your secateurs thoroughly before moving on to sharpening.
Keep Your Blades Sharp
There's nothing more frustrating than trying to prune with a blunt pair of secateurs!
Sharp blades produce cleaner cuts, which are better for the plant and require considerably less effort from the gardener. Blunt blades, on the other hand, can crush stems rather than cutting neatly through them.
Even the best Japanese secateurs will need sharpening occasionally, particularly after a busy growing season.
Our Niwaki Sharpening Stones are particularly well suited to this job. The #1000 grit stone is ideal for general maintenance, with a curved edge that follows the shape of a secateur blade.
Before use, soak the stone in water for around five minutes. Then carefully work along the existing bevelled edge of the cutting blade, maintaining its original angle. On most bypass secateurs, the flat side should be left alone.
You don't need to spend hours doing it either. A couple of minutes of regular sharpening is far better than waiting until the blades have become completely blunt.
For those who prefer something more compact, our Folding 2 Sided Diamond Sharpener is another useful option.
Protect Your Secateurs from Rust
Once your secateurs are clean and sharp, it's important to protect the metal, particularly as the weather becomes colder and wetter.
Moisture is one of the biggest enemies of garden tools, and even good quality steel can develop rust if left damp.
Traditionally, Japanese gardeners use Camellia Oil to protect their tools. It's a lightweight oil that helps prevent corrosion whilst keeping the blades and moving parts working smoothly.
Simply apply a small amount to a clean cloth and wipe it over the metal surfaces. A drop on the pivot can also help keep everything moving freely.
It takes very little time, but it's a worthwhile habit to get into, particularly if your tools are going to be stored for longer periods.
Store Your Tools Properly
It might sound obvious, but where you keep your secateurs is just as important as how you maintain them.
Leaving them outside, on a damp potting bench or at the bottom of a toolbox can quickly undo all that careful cleaning.
Once your secateurs are dry and lightly oiled, store them somewhere sheltered and dry, ideally hanging up or in a dedicated tool storage area.
And remember, maintenance shouldn't just be an annual job. A quick clean after use and regular sharpening throughout the growing season will help keep your tools in much better condition.
A Little Maintenance Goes a Long Way
A good pair of secateurs should last for years, particularly if you've invested in quality Japanese steel. But like any hardworking garden tool, they need a little care from time to time.
Taking a few minutes to clean, sharpen and protect them now means they'll be ready for the pruning jobs ahead, whether that's during the colder months or when the garden bursts back into life next spring.
Here at Tom's Yard, we stock a carefully selected range of Japanese garden tools and maintenance accessories, including sharpening stones, specialist cleaners, diamond sharpeners and Camellia Oil.
A little care now really does go a long way!
