By Marcia Kirinus, NC State Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer of Durham County
If you’re like most people, you probably wear your second-tier clothing in the garden—stuff that Goodwill wouldn’t take because it’s old, stained, or tattered. I’ve been there too, wearing old tie-dye shirts, black cotton drawstring pants that keep falling down because I lost the drawstring, or my husband’s oversized t-shirts that double as a brow mop.
But I don’t do that anymore. I’m reformed. The change began when I realized I was wasting a lot of time walking back and forth for this little thing or that. I didn’t have enough pockets and my phone was always lost in the garden because I’d set it down while contorted in strange positions to plant. The pants were usually falling off or bunched up tight at the waist. None of this was conductive to good work.
It’s like showing up to work in gym clothes or to the gym in work clothes. Its just not a good idea. Dressing the part helps you play the part. You stay longer and do better work. So it is with the garden.
Introduction of a New Piece of Clothing:
The Overalls:
Once I stopped wearing old and tattered clothes in the garden, I discovered that my preferred attire was overalls and tank tops. Modern overalls are light and breezy, not the heavy denim of yesteryear. Since I’m in the garden more than any other place, I felt justified to buy five pairs in different colors and wear them like my daily uniform. It was a smart move.
I still keep a bucket of old clothes for tasks like painting or staining the deck. If those clothes don’t survive the task, I don’t mind.
My overalls have a loose fit, making it easy to bend, hop over the rabbit fence, or dig large holes without my pants falling down or bunching up. The bib holds the pants up without the need for a belt. It also holds my UV-resistant marker and plant tags. When planting seven different types of basil, labels are important. In the past I would be too lazy to go back to the shed yet another time to get pen and tags. I would tell myself I’d remember but I never did. The following year I’d plant them all again because I couldn’t remember which one worked out best.
The plethora of pockets is dreamy. The left side pocket holds my phone, so I no longer waste time searching for it. The right side pocket always holds my hand pruners. The deep left front pocket is for my earbuds case, and the right front pocket holds small items like twist ties. The left back pocket carries a pair of decent gloves and about six pairs of nitrile gloves. The right back pocket holds a sweat rag. The zippered pocket at the knee holds cash—always handy for an impromptu ice cream truck visit.
Another feature my beloved overalls has is a pocket on each knee that takes a knee pad. This might seem luxurious but as you age, its necessary if you want to do good work. It does, however, make me feel pampered as I crawl around, depositing tiny plants in tiny holes. What’s not to like about a cushioned knee? Go ahead, pamper yourself while you sweat buckets of water.
While my overalls have helped me stay organized, in the early morning I’m still in the garden in my pjs and a cup of coffee. I’m just looking – not working. I see the weed but I refuse to pull it. Don’t pull it. Resist. Go back in and change the outfit. Respect the art; respect the clothes.
The Shoes:
When it comes to shoes, I go back and forth. I like a solid sole that doesn’t give when using the shovel, however, I also appreciate the flexibility of a clog that’s easy to slip off when you reach the house. I wear both, depending on the task.
Once, seemingly out of nowhere, I was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. My left foot swelled up overnight, and it was incredibly painful. With a boot, time, and anti-inflammatory medication, it eventually healed. Two years later, while redigging an old pond, I realized the repetitive movement of my left foot on the shovel in flimsy shoes was the culprit. I had caused my own injury due to poor footwear. Shovels and hard soles go together. Save the clogs for lighter tasks but always wear them with a heavy sock. I prefer a wool sock to keep dirt out and feet dry.
The Gloves:
Good gloves are essential. Soil dries out your hands, so protect them. I have a 5-gallon bucket of gloves by my back door—different types for different needs. Some can get wet, while others are thin and tight for delicate tasks. I always have about six nitrile gloves in my back pocket. They’re 5 mil thick and useful when regular gloves get too hot or dirty. I also wear them when expecting a call or listening to a podcast that doesn’t automatically play the next episode. The phone doesn’t recognize fingers in bulky gloves, but it does with nitrile gloves. I often double glove to strip off the dirty outer pair and use the clean inner ones to handle the phone. Double gloving also protects my hands when I dig without a trowel. My soil is so well amended that I can dig like a cat in its litter box – without effort.
The Hat:
A hat serves multiple functions: keeping hair out of your face and blocking the sun. I like to get into the garden before the sun does. I track the sun and work in areas where it’s not shining, planning my tasks accordingly. Early in the morning, I’m in the south garden, then I move to the front west side, ending my day on the east side as the house blocks the sun.
Dermatologists recommend a hat with the widest brim to cover your face, neck, and shoulders. I like a good straw hat, but find that sometimes the brim gets in my way. If it’s cloudy and I have adequate sunscreen on, I wear a baseball cap. I don’t think it does much in the way of sun protection but it does keep my hair in check.
if you find yourself reaching for those old, worn-out clothes before heading to the garden, consider upgrading your attire. Dress the part, play the part, and watch as your gardening experience improves. Respect the art of gardening and respect yourself by wearing clothing that supports your work and makes you feel good.
Happy gardening!
Resources and Additional Information:
- NCSU Safety tips in the garden which includes clothing: https://www.ncat.edu/caes/cooperative-extension/covid-19/safety-tips-farm-garden.php
- Clemson, “Garden Smarter, Not Harder”: https://hgic.clemson.edu/garden-smarter-not-harder/
- NCSU discussion on gloves: https://union.ces.ncsu.edu/2021/05/protect-your-health-while-gardening/
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