Gardening Daily Tips
For You
Monday November 3, 2008

• Sweetspire, Virginia (Itea virginica)
• Q&A: Cleaning Rusty Garden Tools
• Q&A: Too Late to Plant Bulbs?
• Tip: Sow Cover Crops
• Share Your Holiday Travel Photos
• Reader Photos

Q&A: Cleaning Rusty Garden Tools

Question: What is the best way to clean rust off of garden tools, and should they be repainted after rust is removed?

Answer: The paint is there to form a protective layer against moisture, so you could repaint them or simply keep them well-oiled. Prevention is half the battle here, and it is usually recommended that you clean dirt off your tools regularly and store them under cover in a dry place. Many gardeners will clean them and then run them into a bucket of sand and a bit of oil to recoat them after use. Pruners and other blades do best with frequent sharpening and a bit of oil on the hinges. If the tools are severely rusted they may not hold up to more use safely; if they are slightly rusted you might try a bit of steel wool or perhaps a dab of "naval jelly" type rust remover (check the label directions to see if it is appropriate for the metal in question). Another option is to brush off the rust as well as you can and then use a rust inhibiting primer and paint according to the label instructions.

Q&A: Too Late to Plant Bulbs?

Question: Time got the best of my plans and I didn't get all of my bulbs planted. I am especially concerned about my iris bulbs and rhizomes. Can I still plant them or should I wait until spring? What about the other bulbs?

Answer: The optimal time to plant rhizomes and bulbs would have been mid-October for your area. However, you are in very good company -- many gardeners put off planting until well past the "recommended" time. As long as the ground isn't frozen, I'd go ahead and plant. It's no use waiting until spring, because the rhizomes and bulbs will dry out too much, so you have nothing to lose. Keep in mind that planting now will result in a later blooming period and possibly reduced bloom.

Tip: Sow Cover Crops

Sow cover crops to improve soil fertility and prevent erosion in beds that won't be needed for early spring plantings. Plant rye and vetch in the Southwest and Southeast. Crimson clover is also a good choice for late fall in the Southeast.