Daily gardening tip · Southern hemisphere · Friday 28 August 2026 · late winter
Maintain Your Garden Spade
Taking five minutes to clean and oil your garden spade today prevents rust and ensures your main digging tool is ready for the busy spring planting season.
5 minuteseasytools
Use a stiff brush or plastic scraper to remove all dried dirt and mud from the metal blade.
Wash the blade with soapy water to remove stubborn grime, then dry it completely with an old cloth.
Pour a small amount of vegetable oil or mineral oil onto a clean rag.
Rub the oil evenly over all metal parts of the spade to create a thin protective coating.
Why it works
Leftover soil holds moisture against the steel blade, which causes it to rust. A thin layer of oil acts as a barrier that repels water, keeping the metal smooth and preventing rust so the spade slides easily into the soil.
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