It's time to get ready for glorious days outdoors. When
digging out your tools and prepping beds, you need to dress with an eye
toward health. It makes good sense for years of gardening enjoyment.
More Than a Manicure
You can't have too many pairs of
gloves. Consider the tasks you do in the garden. Occasionally,
resistance to moisture is important. At other times, handling seeds and
delicate jobs requires a lightweight pair. Remember this: Wearing gloves
has little to do with your manicure. They mainly serve to protect you
from insect bites and contact with fertilizer or chemicals, soil-borne
irritants, and infections. Protect Your Skin
When choosing garden duds, long sleeves
and a straw hat aren't enough. Instead, look for the Ultraviolet
Protection Factor (UPF). It measures a fabric's effectiveness on
shielding skin from damage. A UPF rating of 50 offers a 97.5% filter to
your body. We like this hat and shirt from SunGrubbies
(www.sungrubbies.com or 1-888-970-1600). Love Your Knees
Give your knees a break. Pants with
removable pads change the world--especially when the cushions are
designed with billowy air pockets and are "hinged" so they bend with
you. One time down on the ground in these will make you a believer. Try
this pair from Duluth Trading Co. (www.duluthtrading.com or
1-800-505-8888). Step Wisely
Comfortable footwear helps define the
difference between gardening pleasure and pure torture. Find the best
boots or clogs to suit your needs. Ours are from Smith & Hawken
(www.smithandhawken.com or 1-800-940-1170). Be sure clogs fit snugly
enough to stay on your feet; a loose-fitting selection can cause a fall.
Healthy Benefits
• An excellent reason for garden gloves: Tetanus bacteria dwells in soil. Cover up to stay safe.
• Long pants protect legs from mosquit oes, scrapes, and flying stones from mowers.
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"Gear Up for Spring" is from the February 2008 issue of Southern Living.
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