CABOT – Last February, I wrote about “showing love” to your garden tools: keeping them clean, sharp, oiled, painted and always stored under cover.
This February, I want to talk about the care of your most important tool: you!
Gardening is fun and rewarding. It’s also physically demanding. In the enthusiasm fueled by warmer weather and longer days of spring, or the rush to bring in the fall harvest, it’s very easy to get carried away. A little thought and a bit of care can prevent most gardening injuries and keep you in the garden for decades.
One of the most common gardening injuries is sun exposure. Obviously, sunburns are painful and unpleasant, and should be avoided. But chronic sun exposure that leaves you tan is also damaging.
“Protective tan” is a myth. If you’re getting enough sun to tan, you’re getting enough sun to damage your skin. Premature wrinkling, spotting, and skin cancer doesn’t happen in a day, or a season…it’s
the cumulative effect of years of sun. Long sleeves and pants, wide-brimmed hats, gloves, and sunscreen will keep your skin healthier longer. When possible, use sunscreens with natural ingredients. And remember to re-apply sunscreen if you’ll be out for more than a couple hours.
Heat injuries (heat exhaustion and heat stroke) are caused by working in high temperatures, and often involve dehydration as well. When possible, work in the morning or evening. If you have to
work midday, take breaks often. Be aware that as you age, your tolerance for heat may be less than it used to be. At any time of day when working, drink plenty of water. Keep a bottle nearby (or even two). Water is best; avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol, as these actually dehydrate, rather than hydrate.
The same long sleeves, long pants, and hats that protect from sun can also keep off most insects. During very buggy times (such as blackfly season), use insect repellents to keep them at bay. Choose products with natural ingredients such as lemongrass and citronella, and when possible,
apply the repellent to your clothes rather than directly on your skin. If you will be working in areas of tall grass or brush, you are likely to encounter ticks. Wear long pants tucked into socks, and
after work, check yourself carefully for ticks, from head to toe. Please note, insects are an absolutely vital part of the ecosystem, so don’t spray insecticides on your gardens or lawn. Protect your own personal space only.
Some folks love gardening with bare feet. That’s fine for light work, in a safe area. However, the wider world has thistles, ground-nesting wasps, sticks and rocks, and in the case of old farms and
homesteads, broken glass and rusty metal. Consider your space, and whether you should save your barefoot time for when you’re reading in the hammock. Gardening barehanded can be fun, and
some tasks are best suited to fingertips. But if you’ll be doing a lot of heavy work, a good pair of gloves will save you from blisters, and dirt wedged uncomfortably under nails.
There are multitudes of ways to overuse your body while gardening, and I could dedicate several articles to the topic. But for now, here are a few key points. Design gardens for easy access. Narrow
garden beds, pathways, containers, and waist-high raised beds will minimize awkward bending and reaching. Use the right tool for the job and invest in quality tools. As needed, use a kneeling pad or low seat on wheels. Alternate tasks. When possible, don’t do the same task for hours on end. Switching tasks allows your body to work in different positions. Check in with yourself frequently. Stand up, shake out arms and legs, stretch your back. Assess if you need water, food, a different tool, or a
break.
Keep your working spaces tidy. During the workday, set unused tools in a visible area, preferably off the ground. At the end of the day, put away tools, pots, bags of soil, and other garden things. Keep your
high-traffic pathways open and easy to walk on, either by mowing, or laying pavers or gravel.
Susan Socks, aka the Garden Goddess, can be contacted at SocksFamilyFarm.weebly.com or call (802) 498-7785.
