Gardening expert shares the one crucial job you need to complete ahead of pruning season

Gardening can be surprisingly busy during the colder seasons; with pruning, deadheading and weeding, there's so much to do. So much so that it's easy to forget about the smaller but just as crucial jobs, like maintaining your tools.

Working through your list of October gardening jobs will keep you plenty occupied this month however you're gardening is only as good as the essential garden tools you're using. And although it's easy enough to replace your worn and dirty tools, you can use a little elbow grease to save money in the garden and get them looking brand new again.

So before you make a winter gardening mistake and prune your plants with a rusty, perhaps disease-ridden pair of secateurs. Here's how to give them a proper clean and get them working properly again before pruning season.

Whilst it's incredibly important to keep all your tools sharp and have a sharpening tool on hand, cleaning your secateurs before you start snipping and pruning is especially crucial this time of year.

"As we're heading into the pruning season, it's worth giving your secateurs a good clean," starts Simon Akeroyd, author and gardening expert, @simonakeryodgardenwriter on Instagram.

"Soaking secateurs in white vinegar helps loosen rust and debris. But don’t soak them for too long (two hours max) because vinegar is corrosive. You can then gently scrub the blades afterwards with an old toothbrush," he adds.

"Although I find rubbing with tin foil works well too. Just be careful you're not scratching your blades. Afterwards, dry them thoroughly and add tool oil to keep them lubricated and prevent them rusting more," Simon continues.

Although secateurs aren't exactly obscure gardening tools, there are many kinds to choose from; each comes with its own

"My fav secateurs are Felco 8 (I’m not sponsored by them). Ergonomically, they fit nicely in the hand, are powerful and are made in Switzerland. They’re beautifully engineered. And the iconic red handles make them easy to find if you lose them in the garden," Simon says.

As long as you keep sharpening your garden shears and clean them regularly before pruning, your plants will not become diseased or damaged.

Knowing how to maintain your tool is a sustainable gardening practice that will ensure your shears last for years to come.