Safe gardening

While gardening this past weekend I discovered two things. One is just how important stretching is prior to any type of strenuous activity. I awoke muscles that have been sleeping even while I'm at the gym. Two days of extending my flower beds which including tearing out lawn, beating the lawn sections to get the dirt out of them, bagging, dragging, cultivating soil and fighting off the dog, really took a toll on my body. I didn't "feel it" until Sunday evening.

The second thing I discovered is no matter how how much the sun is covered by clouds, skin protection is important. Although I didn't get sunburned I did notice a bunch of freckles that I normally get when I'm out in the sun too long.

I did remember to keep hydrated. I drank so much water that I could hear sloshing as I was going along. So here are my tips for gardening stretches and sun protection:

Stretching:




Sun protection:
While researching minimum SPF, which I believed was 15. I discovered the new recommended minimum, by the American Academy of Dermatology, is SPF 30. Doctors are now recommending SPF 30 to their patients and the reasoning behind this is that those that do apply sunscreen are not doing it as often as they should so at SPF 15 they were really receiving only half of the recommended protection. Therefore, at SPF 30, at the minimum you're receiving SPF 15 and adequate protection.




Utilizing a hat and other gear is recommended as well while working in the sun.


I did a lot of work in the garden and the rewards are still to come. I can't wait to add more to the new beds and to watch the new perennials bloom and get stronger every year. Happy & Safe Gardening.