From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Bristol, ME ([email protected])

Just wondering who sterilizes their garden tools, like rakes, shovels, hoes, etc. and how everyone goes about it.
I've never seen the topic on here (at least I don't remember it) and was just curious in methodology.

4/23/2005 7:35:44 PM

Key West, FL

lol, i can see your pruning tools, but shovel? lol, you've fallen off your rocker. ;)

4/23/2005 9:18:20 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

I don't know of anyone who cleans let alone sterilizes their garden tools. I doubt many people even think about it unless thay have encountered a disease problem in their garden. I might be wrong but I sort of doubt it. If I were going to do it I would most likely use some chlorox in water to do the job.

4/23/2005 10:17:40 PM

Eugene,OR

I'll bet Dwaine Gipe uses something...come on Doc, let us know the secret!

4/24/2005 12:02:21 AM

[email protected]

I wouldn't use a handtool or tiller if it had recently been used in a patch where Fusarium, Rhizoctonia or Phytophthora had been detected. If I had to, I'd wash it down with a garden hose to remove stuck-on soil, then spray all the working parts with a 10-20% Bleach solution.

I've heard people say the same thing about Mosaic but it's usually insect borne so while playing it safe is always good, in this case it is probably a waste of time.

4/24/2005 6:57:07 AM

San Diego

definitely use a water bleach solution on tools if you had mosaic:) I cleaned everything after last year's mosaic. If your pruned the plant with anything that had mosaic (hacked it with a shovel, razor blade, pruning cutters, etc) it is infected and can pass on the disease if you don't clean it before pruning another non infected plant with the same tool. I had tobacco mosaic and was told by the plant pathologist in San Diego that even touching my infected plant with my clothes or hand, and then touching another pumpkin plant with my same clothes or hand before washing would pass it on. Wash hands and clothes just once regularly and it's gone. Better to be safe than sorry. Jimmy

4/24/2005 12:46:42 PM

Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

Would using stainless steel garden tools help? I recall reading something about them being prefered for taking soil samples because they pose little risk of contaminating the soil. I imagine they are easier to clean and keep reasonably sterile.

4/24/2005 12:51:18 PM

Montoursville, PA

Only time I do any sterlization is if I know I have been working in diseased material. Just common sense. I use bleach and water soak after contacting known diseased plant material.

4/24/2005 3:38:36 PM

North Smithfield, RI USA

I knew an old timer who after each use, washed his tools in a bleach solution, gave them a thin coat of oil and hung them back in their proper place ! That man never had a disease problem in his garden!

4/24/2005 4:35:40 PM