Tools and Equipment

• Take special care of any wooden handles on your tools. Handles should be smooth (sand if needed). Apply a coat of bright-colored, water-resistant paint to keep wood from drying out, prevent shrinking or splitting, and make them easier to see if left out in the garden.

• Buildings and wood fences should be painted as often as necessary to maintain an attractive appearance and preserve the wood. The cool, dry days of fall are an ideal time for this activity. The job will enhance the beauty, usefulness, and value of your property. It is also a fine contribution to community beautification and civic pride.

• To keep from spreading diseases and insect pests, sterilize old flower pots by soaking overnight in a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water.

• When using a cold frame to extend your harvest season, be sure to close the top on frosty nights to protect the plants from the cold. When the sun comes out the next morning and the air warms, open the cold frame again.