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| Photo Credit: Megan Bame |
| Keep a close check on local temperatures so you can plan your biggest chores for the coolest days. |
One of my favorite things about summer is the hot weather. Frankly, I start to feel a bit claustrophobic in all those heavy winter clothes. And jackets are a must during much of spring and fall. But in summer, bring on the heat! Toss on a swimsuit and head out to the pool, or just throw on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, and you’re set for the day.
Unfortunately, summer’s skimpy clothes don’t always work out too well in the garden. First, they don’t protect you from the sun or heat. And second, they don’t protect you from the all the perils in your garden. Yes, weeding and watering early in the morning help you beat the heat, but let’s be honest: It’s not always convenient. And heck, sometimes it’s hot even early in the day. So what can you do to beat the heat? My answer’s simple: I turn to my running clothes. Not my cotton tees that just get soaked in sweat as I work, but my wicking running shirts. They’re easy to find in the sports section of almost any department or sporting goods store, and you can find them in long and short sleeves, depending on what gardening work you plan to do. How do they keep you cool? The man-made materials wick the sweat through the shirt to evaporate and keep your skin cooler. Generally they’re lightweight, so they won’t hold you back. Experts also recommend wearing loose-fitting clothes when working outside. Skin-hugging shirts and pants are not only hotter to work in, they’re harder to move around in. When it comes to getting things done in the garden (or grocery shopping…or hitting the playground with the kids…), I choose clothes from the sportswear section or from certain catalogs. These clothes are durable, not to mention made for bending and reaching and being active – and they’re usually made of a breathable material, which is key to keeping cool.
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