A method of operating a binding machine for gardening, the binding machine comprising: a main handle that is configured to draw out a tape from a front-end portion thereof; a clincher arm that is rotatably attached to the main handle; a tape gripping device that is attached to a front-end portion of the clincher arm and that is configured to grip an end portion of the tape drawn out from the front-end portion of the main handle; and an operation handle that is attached to the clincher arm so as to be rotatable about a rotation fulcrum, wherein the operation handle includes a link portion engaged with the main handle on one side as viewed from the rotation fulcrum and a lever operation portion on the other side as viewed from the rotation fulcrum, the clincher arm is configured to rotate in a closing direction with respect to the main handle when the lever operation portion and the main handle are gripped, the method of operating the binding machine including first and second operations, in the first operation, as the operation handle is gripped and the clincher arm rotates in a closing direction with respect to the main handle, the tape gripping device grips the front-end portion of the clincher arm, and in the second operation, as a squeezing of the operation handle is released and the clincher arm rotates in an opening direction with respect to the main handle, the front end portion of the clincher arm and the front end portion of the main handle are separated from each other in a state where the tape gripping device grips the tape, and the tape is stretched between the clincher arm and the main handle, characterised in that the binding machine for gardening further comprises a cover member configured to cover the link portion. a main handle that is configured to draw out a tape from a front-end portion thereof; a clincher arm that is rotatably attached to the main handle; a tape gripping device that is attached to a front-end portion of the clincher arm and that is configured to grip an end portion of the tape drawn out from the front-end portion of the main handle; and an operation handle that is attached to the clincher arm so as to be rotatable about a rotation fulcrum, wherein the operation handle includes a link portion engaged with the main handle on one side as viewed from the rotation fulcrum and a lever operation portion on the other side as viewed from the rotation fulcrum, the clincher arm is configured to rotate in a closing direction with respect to the main handle when the lever operation portion and the main handle are gripped, the method of operating the binding machine including first and second operations, in the first operation, as the operation handle is gripped and the clincher arm rotates in a closing direction with respect to the main handle, the tape gripping device grips the front-end portion of the clincher arm, and in the second operation, as a squeezing of the operation handle is released and the clincher arm rotates in an opening direction with respect to the main handle, the front end portion of the clincher arm and the front end portion of the main handle are separated from each other in a state where the tape gripping device grips the tape, and the tape is stretched between the clincher arm and the main handle, characterised in that the binding machine for gardening further comprises a cover member configured to cover the link portion.