7 Reasons Why You Should Wear Gloves When You’re Gardening
People garden for fun, as an art form, and as a place to relax from the stress of everyday life. There are many good reasons to work in the garden, whether you’re growing food, pretty flowers, or just grass to keep clean, and so on. But we can say that gardening comes with endless benefits. And while we’re outside, many of us forget to do something very important: keep our hands safe.
7 Reasons Why You Should Wear Gloves When You’re Gardening
As you dig in the dirt, gloves might not seem important, but they’re a must-have for gardeners who are serious about gardening. Do you want to know why? Let’s get down to business! Here are 7 reasons why you should wear gloves when you’re gardening.
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Protection from irritating and dangerous chemicals
Soil conditioners, weed killers, and compost mix that aren’t good for you are often found in gardens, even the ones that say they are organic. The plants are safe around these chemicals, but if they get on your hands, they might itch, dry out your skin, or make you allergic. Again, some plants like poison ivy, can make your hand itch for days if you’ve touched it. By wearing gloves, you can protect your skin from these bad reactions.
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Prevents Cuts, Scratches, and Blisters
Some gardening tools like shears, pruners, and spades, can be rough on the hands. When you touch thorny plants or rough branches, it’s also easy to cut or poke yourself. Strong gloves will keep your hands safe from these threats, making it much less likely that you will get hurt. People often say they get blisters from doing the same thing over and over, like pulling weeds or digging. Putting on gloves can help protect you from these rough and itchy skin problems.
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It keeps your hands clean and healthy
It’s fun to get your hands in the dirt in the garden, but soil is more than just dirt. There are countless numbers of microorganisms contained in soil; some are good for you and some are bad. Bad microbes like bacteria, fungi, and other microbes can get on your skin and make you sick if you don’t wear gloves. It’s easy to keep your hands clean and lower your risk of getting diseases that are spread by dirt by just putting on gloves.
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Guard Against Pests and Insects
In nature, there are different types of creatures – some of which bite and sting! There are many insects and bugs in gardens, like bees, spiders, ants, and other insects, that might not like you coming in. Putting on gloves makes it less likely that you will have a bad experience with these garden dwellers. For example, many gardeners have had wasps attack their hands out of the blue while they were working. It’s obviously not a pleasant experience to remember while you’re gardening. Because gloves protect you in extra ways, it’s less likely that you will get stung or bitten by any bugs on insects.
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Improved Grip and Dexterity
Some people might say that gloves make it harder to move your fingers, but new gardening gloves are designed to provide grip and flexibility without sacrificing protection. They help you hold on to tools that are wet or slippery, and they make it easier to handle plants that are broken. The right gloves will keep your hands from slipping while you work, so you can keep your finesse.
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Protection from UV light
We often forget that prolonged exposure to the sun not only affects our skin in general but also our hands. UV rays can cause sunburn and premature aging on exposed skin. Wearing gloves during sunny gardening sessions gives your hands the extra sun protection they need.
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Preventing Nail Damage
If you like your nails neat, gardening without gloves can be a nightmare. Dirt from soil gets under the nails while you’re gardening with naked hands. People’s nails get weak from being in the dirt for long periods of time, which can lead to chips and cracks. Wearing gloves protects the health and look of your nails and saves you the trouble of cleaning or fixing damage later.
Conclusion: Love Your Hands, Wear Your Gloves
Gardening is all about care—care for your plants, care for the environment, and care for yourself. Protecting your hands is just another way to ensure you can enjoy your gardening without discomfort or injury. So, next time you grab your spade and kneel down to dig in the dirt, don’t forget to put on your gloves.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting, never underestimate the importance of wearing gloves while working with nature. They’re not just for protection; they’re for comfort, hygiene, and keeping your gardening journey enjoyable.
