Et cetera
By LYRA SOLOCHEK, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 15, 2003
TIPS
Look before you buy
Here are some things to pay attention to when you're buying tools:
HANDLES: For most gardeners the best material is hardwood, such as ash. Choose an unpainted handle so you can see the wood grain. It should be knot-free and should run the length of the handle. Professional tools with steel handles are stronger, but most gardeners don't need them. Fiberglass and wood-fiberglass composite handles are light and strong but cost more than hardwood.
METAL: The best tools are made of high-carbon steel. Look for terms such as "heat-treated," "forged," "drop-forged" and "tempered." Avoid weaker stamped steel or aluminum for heavy-duty tools, although aluminum may be fine for small hand tools.
CONNECTIONS: The connection between the handle and the tool head is where tools often break down. The best tools have a head and neck made from a single piece of forged steel. Look for closed shanks that wrap around the handle and don't have seams or welds.
LIFETIME GUARANTEE: It's a sign your tool was built to last.
Prep work for the garden
Here are a few tips, from hand-tool maker V&B Manufacturing, on getting tools ready for the gardening season:
CHECK THE CONDITION OF TOOLS: If wooden handles are badly cracked, discard the tool or replace the handle. If the metal striking surface is chipped, throw the tool away.
CLEAN YOUR TOOLS: Rub off last year's dirt and grime with steel wool.
OIL YOUR TOOLS: A light coating of oil on metal parts will prevent rust and corrosion. For hickory handles, use a light coat of linseed oil once a year.
KEEP TOOLS SHARP: A couple of passes with a hand file will re-establish the edge you need.
CHECK FIT OF TOOL TO HANDLE: Make sure the handle is tightly secured to the tool head. If it's too loose, replace the handle or discard the tool. Some slip-on tools with a rectangular fit require a simple tap on a hard surface to secure a tight fit.
STORE TOOLS PROPERLY: Keep tools in a dry, convenient storage space organized so that frequently used tools are most accessible. Cleaning before storing is a good practice.
DID YOU KNOW?
Pollinating is no picnic
Ants aren't very efficient at pollinating plants; they don't travel far enough to spread pollen. In fact, many plants don't want ants to call because they secrete antibiotic compounds that destroy pollen. Decoy nectaries are used by some plants to lure ants away from the real flowers. Ants, however, are excellent at dispersing seeds and account for up to 30 percent of seed dispersal in some regions.
-- Compiled by Lyra Solochek from Times staff and wire reports.
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