Looking after secateurs and spades

How to do it

1. 1Clean the sap off blades at the end of each session; dried sap holds moisture against the steel and blunts the cut.
2. 2Wipe the blades with an oily cloth before putting tools away, and again before they go into winter storage.
3. 3Sharpen bypass secateurs on the bevelled face only, in short strokes away from the edge. The flat face stays flat, or the blades stop meeting.
4. 4Disinfect between plants whenever you are cutting out disease, and as a matter of course between roses.
5. 5Keep a bright edge on the spade: a sharpened spade slices roots instead of tearing them, and takes half the effort.