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“Gardens heal. When you are sad, a garden comforts. When you are humiliated or defeated, a garden consoles. When you are lonely, it offers companionship that is true and lasting. When you are weary, your garden will soothe and refresh you.” Monty Don
I love gardening but it can be hard physical work: bending, lifting, digging, carrying…they can all be strenuous. And gardens need constant care so its important to be consistent. Here are a few things that keep me comfortable, happy and keen to keep going when I am in the garden or at the plot.
Do not underestimate the difference a comfortable and well design pair of gloves will have! Water resistant, padded, touch screen compatible and washing machine friendly: these are the perfect everyday glove. Plus gloves with a clip are much easier to keep track of if you have a habit of losing things like I do.
Don’t get me wrong, I love listening to the sounds of nature whilst I am gardening: birds singing, leaves rustling, crunchy gravel. They are an amazing soundtrack for garden jobs. But I spend a lot of time outside, live near a building site and have an allotment by a primary school, so sometimes I just want to whack on a podcast and get in the zone without hearing screaming children. Comfortable and noise cancelling headphones are a must have for me (and they definitely make life easier in the office space I share with my husband…)
I am basic so obviously have a Stanley as my emotional support water bottle. None of this giant handle and prone to spilling giant cup nonsense though: I have the better Stanley tumbler which is leakproof, dishwasher safe (hallelujah) and keeps my water at my favourite tepid temperature (it will keep your water ice cold if that’s your vibe but I HATE cold drinks). A giant water bottle is a must when i am out in the sunshine all day with no access to drinking water.
Yes, my coffee flask is even bigger than my water bottle. I know my priorities (I have a 3 year old, run a business by myself and I am tired). I love sitting at my allotment, amongst my flowers, eating vine ripened tomatoes that have been warmed by the sun, with a coffee.
trust me, you want to protect your knees. Gardening involves a lot of time low to the ground and you want to be as comfortable as possible. A kneeling pad will protect you from any prickles or spikes, and reduce stress on your joints (I’m not getting any younger and my Yoga has definitely not been happening since I had a child). this one is cushy, light and portable, and lets me be more productive and focus on my tasks.
Spending any time in the garden risks exposing your skin to harmful UV rays which can lead to sunburn, premature aging, and even skin cancer. SPF will help protect your skin from these damaging effects. I am an English rose and turn into bacon fast (I burnt under a parasol, wearing factor 50+ baby on my honeymoon in Borneo). Protect yourself from UVA and UVB rays. This one is SPF 50+, fast-absorbing and non-greasy so ideal for your face.
Also make sure you have snacks and hayfever tablets.
