Gearing up for the springlsummer garden season Lawn and garden season is upon us and its time t0 give your tools a tune, a clean and in some instances, an upgrade. Remember, your lawnmower and garden tools have been sut ting idie for months and may he in need of some TL? before being put to use. Consider these lawnmower and garden tool maintenance tips froin The 1 tome Depot Canada: Srep-by-Step Lawnmower Maintenance: 1) Disconnect and change your sparkplug: If the plug isn't corroded or damaged. you may be ahle to cdean and reuse jr - but it's always good customt to replace the old plug to keep your mower runnîng smoothly To change a spark- plug, loosen it with a plug wrench. 2) Change your air filter: One of the most common sources of lawnmower prohlems îs the air iter. To change the filter, simply remove the cover and pull the iter out then shake or hlow out any dehnis. If the old lîlter is noticeahly dirty, you should consîder replacing it with a new one. 3) Lubricate your wheels: Keep your wheels in good i workîng order hy luhnicatîng them with automotive grease. Use a ratchet and socket to remove the wheel and be sure to smear some grease on the axle hefore putîing rhe wheel hack in ~V~place. 4) Sharpen your blade: Check your mowers hlades periodically for nicks and dents. If the blade cleaning, becomes dulI, you can sharpen ir yoursell witli a little care- fui handling. Use a hlock of wood to help hold the blade srill. Wear leather gloves and hold ihe blade in place white spray- îng the nul with penerraring lubrîcant. Then, use a ratcher to turn ihe retaining nut coutîterclockwise. Once you have the hlade in hand, put on your safety glasses and sharpen jr with a file or a metal grinder. 5) Check your cable: To keep your cahles from weaning out Iurircate then wîJth dry graphite. G.arden tool-care tips: 1) Keep themn cean: To keep your garden tools iii top notch condition, try and keep them dlean and dîrt-free after each use. Lightly où any metal parts of the îool. 2) Rust be gone: If your garden tools are rusty, simply take soîne sandpaper and scrub the rust off. Then dtp your metal tools un a huckeî of sand and oil, such WD-40 or motor oil, to prevent future rust. 3) Oul and sharpen: To keep plant cutters sharp and malleahle, lubnicate the screws and _____ boîts and sharpen the hiades regular> 4) Coat the handies: T(( Is with wooden 7 handies can either he staîned or vamîished to prevent wear and îear, or coaied with spray-on rubber. For more lawnmower and garden tool main- tenance tips, visit The Home Depot in your com- munity - News Canada ta give your gardening and tools a tune-up, some spring and a littie TLC!