Gardeners across Britain are being encouraged to take a bottle of ketchup into the garden before spring officially arrives. According to gardening specialists, the cheap condiment can work wonders in revitalising rusty tools and garden furniture left neglected over winter.
Ali Lijee, a gardening expert at Treemend, says February is the ideal time to tackle these nagging tasks before moving on to sowing seeds in March. Many gardeners only notice the state of their metal equipment on the first warm weekend, only to find it covered in rust or tarnish. Instead of replacing items, Lijee suggests using tomato ketchup to revive them.
Ketchup contains gentle acids – acetic acid from vinegar and citric acid from tomatoes – which dissolve minor rust and oxidation on metals such as steel, brass and copper. Lijee explains: 'The acidity is what does the work. It gently loosens rust and tarnish without being as harsh as some chemical cleaners. For small patches and surface rust, it can be surprisingly effective.'
For rusty hand tools, trowels or secateurs, apply a fine layer of ketchup directly to the problem area and leave for about 15 minutes. Then scrub with a soft brush or cloth, wash thoroughly with water and dry completely. Drying is essential to prevent new rust forming. The same method works for brass or copper garden ornaments, helping to restore their original shine.
For smaller metal items like spade heads or screws, soaking them in a fizzy drink for a short period can also help loosen rust. However, experts stress the importance of rinsing and drying thoroughly afterwards to avoid further corrosion.
