When you take up gardening there is one tool that's absolutely essential: Secateurs/Loppers. They really are a gardener's best friend, but there are millions of Secateurs/Loppers all around the country that are either blunt, rusty or jammed up.

For a tool that receives so much use, it's worth spare them a bit of your time. Whilst there are many models on the market, it is best to select one that fits comfortably in your hand. If you have smaller hands or suffer from arthritis, you would be best to consider a ratchet style as they provide upwards of 5 times the cutting power of a regular Lopper, with little effort from the user.

Blunt Secateurs/Loppers are not only hard to cut with, they can also damage your plants, which leaves them vulnerable to disease. A multi sharpener is a great way for even a beginner to sharpen their Secateurs. It is best to keep your Secateurs oiled so they spring back after cutting, and oiling between plants is also a helpful way to avoid transferring disease.

It is advisable to wipe your Secateurs down with warm, soapy water after each pruning session to keep them nice and clean. Rubbing the blades with vegetable oil also prevents them from rusting. This is particularly important when pruning plants with high sap content as the sap is actually quite corrosive. If the blade seems to be blunt, run a multi sharpener over it. A multi sharpener can be purchased from this site for only $19.00 and is easy to use and a smart investment.

Sometimes the blades can be nicked or bent, and with Clevedon products blades can be easily replaced. Blades can also be purchased from the site. Whilst you are replacing the blade, give the Secateurs a good clean with soapy water and also oil them, making sure you do not forget the spring. Toss away the old blade and fit the new one into the slot on the handle. Then bolt the two halves together. Fit the spring or ratchet mechanism, and your blunt, rusty Secateurs or loppers are now cutting as sharply as new and they are clean and sharp.

Another good tip if you're pruning diseased material, or you're moving to different parts of the garden - sterilize them by dipping them in bleach.

When shopping for Secateurs or Loppers, buy the best pair you can afford, because a good quality pair will last you a lifetime. If they're maintained well and kept clean and sharp, you'll have so much more fun pruning.

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