SiCanFixIt

Garden

Keep your garden and tools in good shape – you’ve got this.

Sharpen your mower blade

⚠ Safety: Always disconnect the power source first. Wear thick gloves – blades are sharp even when blunt.

What you’ll need

  • Gloves
  • Spanner or socket set
  • Flat metal file or sharpening stone
  • Wood block
  • A nail or blade balancer

Step by step

  1. For a petrol mower, disconnect the spark plug lead; for electric, unplug it; for cordless, remove the battery.
  2. Tip the mower on its side with the air filter and carburettor facing up so fuel and oil don’t leak.
  3. Wedge the blade with the wood block and undo the bolt. Note which way up the blade goes.
  4. File the cutting edge along its original angle, an equal number of strokes on each side.
  5. Balance it on a nail through the centre hole – if one side drops, file a little more from that side.
  6. Refit the blade the right way up and tighten securely.
When to call a pro: If the blade is bent, cracked or badly chipped – replace it rather than sharpening.

Clean and oil secateurs

What you’ll need

  • Wire wool
  • Warm soapy water
  • Light oil
  • Sharpening stone

Step by step

  1. Scrub off sap and dirt with soapy water and wire wool, then dry thoroughly.
  2. Sharpen the bevelled edge of the cutting blade with the stone, following its angle.
  3. Remove any burr from the flat side with one light pass.
  4. Put a drop of oil on the pivot and work the blades open and closed.
When to call a pro: If the spring or pivot is broken, replacement parts or new secateurs may be the answer.

Fix a wobbly fence post (with a repair spur)

⚠ Safety: Before digging, check for buried cables and pipes.

What you’ll need

  • Concrete repair spur
  • Spade
  • Postcrete
  • Spirit level
  • Coach bolts and drill

Step by step

  1. Dig a hole alongside the post deep enough for the spur.
  2. Place the spur against the post and check it’s plumb with the level.
  3. Fill with Postcrete following the bag instructions and let it set.
  4. Drill through and bolt the post to the spur.
When to call a pro: For long runs of failing fence or fences shared with neighbours, agree the plan first and consider a fencer.

Look after your lawn in autumn

What you’ll need

  • Spring-tine rake
  • Garden fork
  • Autumn lawn feed

Step by step

  1. Rake out thatch and moss with the spring-tine rake.
  2. Spike compacted areas with a fork every 10–15cm to let air and water in.
  3. Apply an autumn lawn feed as directed on the pack.
  4. Overseed any bare patches and keep them moist.
When to call a pro: For widespread disease or pest damage you can’t identify.