Summary: Although I made this video a couple of years ago, the recent hot weather I experienced for the past two weeks reminded me of the importance of knowing how to garden in hot weather. I know most of these are common sense, but I did want to share these tips with you so you won't become a statistic. Keep hydrated - bring lots of water Wear a long sleeve shirt and don't be afraid of sunscreen. Overalls are rugged, cool and work for men or women Always wear a hat- I like broad brimmed Wesgtern hats or garden hats. Wear Sunglasses Do the gardening Chores in early morning or in the evening as it cools off. Use an ice-wrap around your neck to keep cool Keep bandanas - useful for many things like ice bandanas, bandage, head cover, sweat, etc Water - STAY HYDRATED! Drink lots of water. Have a bottle or two on hand with you somewhere. many places sell small water bottles for hikers that keep your water cool for quite a while. Although the bottled water you can easily find in any store works, I don't like to use them as the plastic left behind is such a mess in landfills. The hiker bottles clip on my belt better anyway. Performing your chores in the early morning while it's still cool will not only be better for you, but your plants will also be better set for watering, weeding, etc than later in the day with a hot sun overhead. Find a cotton long sleeve work shirt for gardening. It will reduce bug bites, thorns, and most importantly sunburn. If extremely hot, wet down the sleeves with water and as it evaporates it will make you feel cooler. Wearing overalls may not look the greatest, but you will be amazed at how much cooler they will keep you. This works equally good for men or women, Always wear a hat when oout in the garden. Broad briommed western style or garden hats are the best, usually in a straw material to help you stay cool. If you are out when it rains someday, you will also learn of some additional benefits like no rain down the back of youor neck. Always wear sunglasses. As an eye doctor told me once, "most people have no clue how much damage bright sun can place on your eyes." Believe him and always wear a pair outside. I have several, including a cheap pair I keep in a mailbox I keep in the garden as a storage box. Ice Neck Wraps - There are small neck wraps filled with a chemical that allows you to freeze them and tie them around your neck. As they thaw it keeps you cool. Unfortunately in my experience they really don't last long and need to be re frozen. My preferred method, which I learned while riding motorcycles in 100+ degree heat is a neck wrap made simply out of a bandana and some ice cubes. I show how to lay one out in the video above, but basically just dampen a bandana folded in a triangle. Lay a row of cubes along the long end and roll it up. Tie this around your neck, and as the ice melts, it runs down your body and acts like an air conditioner as it evaporates. Please watch the video for more detailed explanations on these tips. A new seed company to watch - discussed on the podcast. Take a look... www.fruitionseeds.com
