The dog days of summer have arrived.\u00a0 As gardeners, we need to spend time outside tending to our landscape needs.\u00a0 But, this past week was brutally hot and humid.\u00a0 Thank goodness for this past weekend with us having much-needed rainfall and lower temperatures but more heat is on the way.\u00a0 I am not complaining because this is just the way it is for Virginians in July and we have not even reached our traditional hot time of late July and the month of August.\u00a0 So, the big question at hand is how can we enjoy working and gardening outside and stay safe in the heat?<\/p>\n
Gardening can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors, get physical activity, and grow our own nutritious vegetables and fruits.\u00a0 But, working in these hot temperatures with a high heat index, like this past week, can be a major health concern.<\/p>\n
Here are some tips and thoughts as to what we can do to be outside in the heat and stay safe:<\/p>\n
Wear light-colored and lightweight clothing.\u00a0 Light colors reflect heat and sunlight and the combination of lightweight material will help the body maintain a normal temperature.\u00a0 Wear long sleeves, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.\u00a0 In addition, you may want to use insect repellent containing DEET<\/strong> to protect yourself from mosquitoes and ticks.<\/p>\n It is important for our bodies to stay hydrated when we are outside in the heat tending to our gardens. \u00a0The Virginia Department of Health suggests that we drink two to four cups of cold water every hour.\u00a0 We should avoid drinking caffeine, alcohol, and large amounts of sugar.\u00a0 Sodas are not the best choice of liquid. Cold water is the best.\u00a0 Water can help cool the body.<\/p>\n If possible, try to schedule your outdoor gardening activities in the early morning or in the evening.\u00a0 Generally, early morning is the coolest part of the day.\u00a0 If you need to be outside for most of the day then take multiple short breaks.\u00a0 Breaks should be in a shaded area or controlled temperature environment.<\/p>\n Even being out for short periods of time in high temperatures and high heat index can cause heat stress injuries such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke.\u00a0 These types of injuries can occur when the body cannot regulate its temperature.\u00a0 Signs of heat stroke are extremely high body temperature, a rapid pulse, red, hot and dry skin with no visible sweating, a throbbing headache, and dizziness.\u00a0 When you sense any of these symptoms you want to stop work and get out of the sun.\u00a0 You will want to get in the shade or go inside the house to rest and cool down.<\/p>\n You will want to avoid eating food that is high in protein.\u00a0 Too much protein will increase metabolism, increasing the body heat and water loss.<\/p>\n If you are an avid gardener then you already know that gardening is an excellent way to get physical activity.\u00a0 Personally, I look at gardening as my daily exercise routine.\u00a0 On a daily basis I put in a lot of steps, lifting, and I try to stay \u201cmoving\u201d as much as possible.\u00a0 Being active helps raise your breathing and heart rates as well as strengthen your muscles.\u00a0 Active people are less likely than inactive people to be obese or have high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, depression, and osteoporosis.<\/p>\n Bottom line:\u00a0 we can still enjoy gardening in the summer. We have to!! We have plants to attend to, weeds to pull, and watering\u00a0to do. At the same time, we need to be smart about our own personal health when it comes to gardening in the summer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"STAY HYDRATED<\/h4>\n
TIMING<\/h4>\n
KNOW YOUR LIMITS IN THE HEAT<\/h4>\n
DIET<\/h4>\n
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