Red tape spotlights tools

Wrap tool handles with red tape for visibility and protection.

There is hope for careless gardeners who lose hand tools. Speaking as a former offender, I would like to share my solution—or rather, my husband’s. When he gave me an English-made stainless-steel trowel and hand fork, he insisted that I wrap the handles in bright red plastic tape. That was many years ago, and I’ve since wrapped the handles of all my hand tools.

Taped handles are superior to painted handles for several reasons. First, tape lasts longer than paint—the handles I’ve wrapped are five years old and still in good shape. Second, tape is waterproof and actually preserves the handle. Third, if the handles are made of wood, the tape protects bare hands from splinters.