Wear the right clothes and proper footwear
It has begun. Those mornings when we wake up stiff and sore from the hours we spend in the garden.
Today I want to share a few tips for working in the garden.
Years ago I found it much more comfortable to wear scrub pants in the garden. They are light and comfortable. They prevent me from getting dirt ground into my knees and they help prevent insects from biting me. They save my legs from scratches when I work around rose bushes and ornamental grasses and they save my legs from turning green when I cut the grass.
For similar reason, I prefer to wear long sleeve shirts in the garden. The shirt is usually a couple of sizes too big for me so there is lots of room for movement. This protects me from the sun and I don't have to keep applying sun screen. It also saves me from rashes on my arms from working around certain plants. Most of us have sensitivity to different plants. Some of the most common ones are tiny cuts from the blades of ornamental grasses. For others it is from working with junipers and cedars. Barberries, bears britches and other plants can also cause rashes and skin irritations.
If you find your arms become very itchy after working in the garden, start with a cool shower and a good soap, not body wash. Once you have given the area a good scrub you can turn the water warmer and finish your shower.
Before you go to the garden make sure you moisturize your hands well. The more your skin is moisturized the less the dirt will stick. Even if you wear gloves this is still important.
Some folks like to scrape their nails across a bar of soap before they go out to prevent dirt from building up under their nails.
Always wear proper shoes when cutting grass. You can slip in flip flops and lose a foot or hand if you are not careful. When you plan on doing any digging, proper shoes will protect you from doing damage to your feet. Shoes with steel shank and toes are even better protection.
Gardening is meant to be fun and enjoyable and we are our worst enemies for doing silly things because we are too lazy or in too much of a hurry to protect ourselves from bigger dangers. I have a spot behind my door where I keep my gardening clothes a my gardening shoes live right by the shovel in the garage so they are always ready to go.