Frequent, minimal sharpening keeps tools working their best. • Hoes, shovels: Use a 12-inch mill bastard file, preferably with a handle on it, and make a smooth, sharp edge by filing in forward ...

Fall is a good time to prune deciduous trees and shrubs. Once the leaves have dropped you can see the form – and the clutter – and decide what to take out. But before you begin, think about sharpening ...

A roundup of local home and garden news and events, including a talk on a rhododendron collection, a class on sharpening pruning tools and Palo Alto encouraging residents to switch to heat pump water ...

I could not live without my hand pruners. My favorite brands are Fiskars and Felco, and I use only the bypass style, which cut clean and easy, like a pair of scissors. After each time I use my pruners ...

It's February, and you may be itching to get out in the garden. But you know it's too soon to plant a lot of the things you're thinking of. What to do? Spend some time getting ready for spring by ...

Dull pruning tools are like dull kitchen knives: they'll do the job, but not very well. For years I've wanted to learn how to sharpen my shears, clippers, scissors and pruners, but it's largely a lost ...

When spring chores start competing for your gardening time, you won’t want to tackle them with a rusty, dull tool. Sharp tools will make most jobs easier, reducing blisters and backaches. Clean tools ...