As winter settles in, most gardens fall quiet. However, this doesn’t mean your garden machinery can be forgotten until spring. Proper winter care ensures your equipment stays reliable, safe, and ready for the busy months ahead. With a bit of preparation, you can extend the life of your tools, save money on repairs, and prevent unexpected breakdowns when you need them most. In this guide, we explore which garden tools you should store, which ones to service, and which might be ready for replacement.
Storing your machinery correctly protects it from rust, moisture, and cold damage. While many people simply push equipment into a shed and forget about it, taking a few extra steps makes a big difference.
Before storing your lawn mower, clean off grass clippings, mud, and debris. If it’s a petrol mower, drain or stabilise the fuel, as old petrol can damage the engine and cause starting issues in spring. Electric and cordless mowers should have their cables, batteries, and vents checked for wear. Once cleaned, store the mower in a dry, sheltered space with a cover for extra protection.
Strimmers often trap plant material around the head and guard. Remove this before storage to prevent mould and corrosion. Cordless strimmers should have their batteries stored at around half charge, as this helps maintain battery health over winter. Hang the tools if possible. It keeps them safe from damage and frees up floor space.
Clean the blades and apply a light coating of oil to prevent rust. If your trimmer has a sheath, always use it. Winter humidity can quickly corrode exposed blades, even indoors. Storing the tool off the ground in a cool, dry place is ideal.
The colder months are the perfect time to service your machinery. Garden centres and workshops are often quieter, which means faster turnaround times. Additionally, servicing now ensures your tools are ready to go as soon as spring arrives.
Chainsaws work hard during autumn and often enter winter in need of attention. Sharpen the chain, clean the air filter, and inspect the bar for uneven wear. Check the chain oiling system as well, because blockages are common. If anything seems damaged or unreliable, now is the time to get professional servicing.
These tools typically see heavy use during autumn. Clear out leaves from the intake, inspect the collection bag for tears, and clean or replace filters. Petrol blowers may need a spark plug check and fuel system clean. Servicing them in winter keeps them efficient and avoids starting issues later.
Although these aren’t used until planting season, servicing them early prevents last-minute delays. Check belts, tines, and cables for signs of wear. With petrol models, fresh oil and a clean carburettor will improve reliability when you return to soil preparation in spring.
While regular maintenance extends the lifespan of garden machinery, some tools eventually reach the point where replacement is the best option. Winter is an ideal time to replace equipment because there are often seasonal offers, and you can plan ahead for spring gardening.
Batteries degrade over time. If your cordless tools no longer hold a charge or take much longer to power up than before, it may be cheaper to replace the tool rather than buy a new battery. Modern battery-powered tools are more efficient and often last longer on a single charge.
If your lawn mower, leaf blower, or chainsaw struggles to start even after servicing, it might be nearing the end of its life. Replacing unreliable machinery saves time and frustration during the busy gardening season. Additionally, newer models often come with better safety features and reduced emissions.
Plastic housings, blade guards, and fuel tanks can crack due to age, cold, or UV exposure. Once these parts are damaged, the equipment becomes unsafe to use. If replacement parts are difficult to find or costly, investing in a new tool is usually the smarter choice.
Winter is the ideal time to give your garden machinery some well-deserved attention. By storing your tools correctly, arranging timely servicing, and replacing anything that’s worn or unreliable, you’ll be fully prepared for a smooth start to spring. For more advice on garden equipment, or to enquire about servicing and repairs, contact Arb Suppliers — we’re here to keep your machinery performing at its best.