Rust is really not an issue/concern for "getting into soil" as it's a major component of many soils naturally.

You can remove the paint (and rust if you like) many ways. Wire brushing or sandpaper for mechanical removal, chemical paint strippers and citric or phosphoric acids to remove rust, electrolysis which will remove rust, and in many cases paint as well (possibly not really well adhered paint, though.)

For the secateurs, sharpening and oiling or waxing should be sufficient. You can also replace the blade on better quality ones.

If you clean and oil (use something food-safe) or wax the tools before long-term storage further rusting will be reduced. Some people go as far as having a dedicated box of oily sand that they'll run digging tools through before storage.

Rust is really not an issue/concern for "getting into soil" as it's a major component of many soils naturally.

You can remove the paint (and rust if you like) many ways. Wire brushing or sandpaper for mechanical removal, chemical paint strippers and citric or phosphoric acids to remove rust, electrolysis which will remove rust, and in many cases paint as well (possibly not really well adhered paint, though.)

For the secateurs, sharpening and oiling or waxing should be sufficient. You can also replace the blade on better quality ones.

If you clean and oil (use something food-safe) or wax the tools before long-term storage further rusting will be reduced. Some people go as far as having a dedicated box of oily sand that they'll run digging tools through before storage. Don't run the secateurs through a sandbox, of course.