 Hoarfrost covered by snow on 12/21/24. Photo by Eliza Laubach. Written by Eliza Rose Laubach Mid-winter. Snow blanketed the ground in the shady, north-facing slopes for several weeks. Streaming icy crystals textured like piped icing emerged from the soil as hoarfrost, pushed up as the ground thaws then refreezes again, sometimes curling over in snakelike tendrils. We have just passed through the coldest time of the year, and the trees are still sleeping, dreaming of spring rains as they ready to run sap through their trunks. Those that were spared by Helene of course. The thaw begins, yet spring is still a dream. Winter time draws us inward, to reflect, nest and slow down with the darker nights. Now, with spring nearing the horizon, it is a time to stoke our fires for creativity as many of us stoke our wood stove fires to stay cozy, or perhaps feel the modern fire of forced-air heat warming the bones of our houses. February 1st/2nd is a cross-quarter day. Quartering the half-way point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, like a knife through snow. We now call this Groundhog Day, and look to predictions for how spring will emerge. In a calendar older than the Gregorian one which marks our modern days, this day was recognized with reverence for the fire we must keep burning through the winter, and also gives us the promise of spring — it is not far off now. It is a day to honor transition, and focus intent and creativity. A time to acknowledge emergence, beginning, the reawakening of life force after winter’s deep sleep. For those who choose to honor ancient Celtic customs, this day is called Imbolc (pronounced “Im-molk) which is derived from an Irish Gaelic word some think means “in the belly” describing pregnant farm animals soon to give milk, or the act of milking itself. While this day was, and still is, especially honored in the Celtic Isles, it was also celebrated across central Europe, as is marked by the Roman Catholic holiday of Candlemas, festival of candles and light.  Chickweed grows in a vegetable garden on 1/30/24. Photo by Eliza Laubach. Here in southern Appalachia, wood frogs emerge from their semi-frozen state hidden in leaf litter with the first warm rain around this time. If you are lucky, you might spot chickweed, a low-growing, common edible plant, that begins to grow in moist, disturbed soil. We begin to dream of planting seeds and plan our gardens for the year. Beyond fire, milk, and the numerous signs of new life peeking through, there is another traditional theme of Imbolc that rings through my mythopoetic mind around this time. Metal and therefore tools. Metal is forged in fire, and tools are the basis for human creative potential. The beginnings of our work in the world, and in our gardens, lies in the tools we use. How can we tend to our garden tools so that we experience ease and ripe potential when we begin to break ground? Now is the time to clean, sharpen and oil our garden tools, or to purchase what we need for the growing season ahead. Tending Garden Tools Clean Remove large clods of dirt by hand. Wipe down with warm water or a strong spray from the hose to fully clean the dirt off. A washcloth is helpful for wiping down smaller tools. Allow to dry. Keeping tools clear of dirt regularly will keep them sharp and reduce rust building up. Also, this helps to prevent the spread of non-native plant seeds and potential pathogens in the soil around the different zones of your landscape, or of others you visit. Sand Sanding the wooden handles of your tools will protect them and lengthen their life. Moisture can raise the grain of the wood, whether it’s from soil, dew or rain, making the handle rough. Sand the wooden handles with a rough grit sandpaper, then follow up with a finer grit. You can also use sandpaper to remove rust from the metal blades of your tools. Sharpen The next step is to sharpen the metal edges and sand wooden edges, if applicable. You will need a sharpening tool, such as a whetstone for finer, sharper edges on pruners, shears or loppers, or a metal file for larger edges on shovels or pitchforks. Most pruners and loppers can be taken apart with a wrench and straight-edge screwdriver. There is already a beveled edge on sharp tools, which you will want to find with your whetstone or metal file and follow that angle as you sharpen. Tool sharpening services are available in the Asheville area! Kaleb Wallace is a blade sharpener extraordinaire, and he will be at the Asheville City Market on Saturday mornings with a blade sharpening setup starting mid-March. You can also email him at [email protected] to set up a sharpening appointment. The Asheville Tool Library hosts a “Repair Cafe” every other month where you can take broken tools to troubleshoot and receive help in repair. Asheville’s Sharpest Edge has a storefront you can take your tools to sharpen. Oil After your tools have been cleaned, sanded and sharpened, you may oil them on both the metal and wood parts to protect them throughout the season. Boiled linseed oil is choice for tools, as petroleum products will contaminate your garden. Liberally wipe down your tools with an oiled cloth, let sit for 15 minutes, then wipe off any excess with a clean cloth. Old T-shirts or socks or great for this! By tending to your tools, you will be ready for the gardening season ahead, and ensure that they live a long life in your hands. If you are looking to purchase new garden tools, here’s some of our favorite brands, and recommendations on local businesses to purchase: Tools We Recommend
Stores Reem’s Creek Nursery: local nursery with plants, tools, seeds and more! 5th Season: Regionally-based garden store with tools, seeds, amendments and more! L.O.T.U.S. Farm and Garden Store: local store to get soil amendments and nutrients, especially in bulk. Garden Tool Company: high-quality heirloom garden tools Sources: Garden Tool Company: https://www.gardentoolcompany.com/pages/garden-tool-care-and-maintenance 
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