CONSEQUENCES OF CYCLONE ALFRED by Julie
As I am putting together this portion of the Lilygram I am listening to the rain pouring down outside. I am sure you are all familiar with the sound. All members of the Board hope you are all personally safe, your home is secure and your garden … well that is for another day even if it is getting a drink after a dry period.
I was interested to note that, at the same time, across my computer came a message about selecting secateurs. It does seem a little inappropriate right now though soon enough this will be a significant job to tackle. So I selected the Choice website 2025 (https://www.choice.com.au/outdoor/gardening/tools/buying-guides/secateurs) for my short review on this subject.
Selecting secateurs is subject to the job to be undertaken :–
- bypass ones work like scissors and good for cutting softer, stringier living stems
- anvil ones work like a guillotine and good for thicker, woodier stems or
- powered blade cordless ones may suit people with weak hands and/ or arthritis; the weight of them needs to be assessed though.
Features to consider include cutting diameter, left handed or ambidextrous needs with a central safety catch, size of hands, colours (yes I am a girl but this time colour is important so you don’t lose them), safety catch ease, pivot or the bolt holding the two blades together for adjustments, blade coatings (rustproof and regular maintenance with oiling), replaceable parts especially the blades, no sharp points, and ratchet or gear mechanism for hard wood pruning.
Maintenance includes sharpening them on a small oil stone; cleaning them (after each job) of sap with soapy water, dry them and then oil them; respect their capabilities – too big a branch for their size may result in damage; and pulling them apart to oil the moving parts.
Why not do some maintenance now? And then watch your plants grow tall after the rain!
Do you want more detail or prefer a video or podcast? Tell us and we will!! Send your requests to secretary@fbbgsa.org.au