When you’re raring to get outside in your garden, the last thing you want to be faced with is a tired and tatty sight. So it’s time to give our gardens a facelift, transforming them back to plots of seasonal splendour instead of dreary disregard. This go-to glove guide will steer you in the right direction for tackling such tasks to ensure that, by the time you want to have some garden fun, your gardening battle is won.
Chemical-proof
When the weather’s dry, treat your wooden structures to a little TLC. Stains, preservatives, varnishes and paint can be applied now before the weather gets too hot and sticky. Whilst handling such products, which may be harmful to bare skin, make sure to wear a pair of chemical-proof gloves from Globus Group. As a starting point, I would spend some time checking the health of the wood and cleaning it off ready for treatment.
Liquid-proof
Pressure washers can be quite good at removing dirt from surfaces. Clean down paving, birdbaths and other stone structures which may gather green growth like algae over the winter. Paths that are mossy will become slippery, so it’s best to remove it sooner rather than later. For this, you’re going to need a glove which is tactile (able to move flexibly around the tasks at hand) but also offering waterproof capabilities. Look to the SHOWA Temres 281 gloves to see you right.
Handling hazards
Tidy up disused areas of the garden, removing dishevelled branches and leaves which may have been swept in. Areas leading from the house to the garden should be kept clear of debris so that dust and dirt aren’t trodden into the house. Sweep over decking, paving or patios with a heavy-duty broom first and then a light bristled broom or dustpan and brush for concentrated areas. For planet-friendly products, you can’t go far wrong with The Skytec ECO Copper which are the first biodegradable synthetic glove. This glove innovation doesn’t detract from their capability though, with features like their lightweight, durable design with added grip and oil absorbency.
Heavy-duty hitters
Maintain your garden structures like fences, sheds and the like by repairing any damages. Working with saws and hammers can be dangerous if your gloves don’t offer the right tactility and grip. For intricate tasks look to SHOWA’s 386 Duracoil and these cut-resistant gloves would be best for anything involving cutting that also needs good grip.
If you’re looking to redesign, reposition or plant growth in the garden then you’re likely to get down and dirty, digging the soil. Again, with hand tools there’s an element of repetitive motion and blisters can form. Keep them at bay with gardening gloves at the ready and make sure to take breaks for every 15 minutes of work. As you work up a sweat, your hands will too but these gloves will provide ventilations with their breathable material.
Waterproof
When vine weevil larvae become more active you will need to tip out the root ball of suspect plants, checking them over for creamy, orange-headed maggots. Your greenhouse plants should also be regularly checked for red spider mite, whitefly, thrips and other pests. It’s also an idea to regularly clean your tools and pots to help control the spread of such pests and diseases.
As aphids multiply during mild spells, remove early infestations by hand to prevent the problem from getting out of control. Protect sweet pea plants in particular, as they can get sweet pea viruses, which are transmitted by aphids and other sap-sucking insects. For such jobs, get some gloves which are chemical and waterproof which also allow for hand movement.
Thermal protection
If the weather turns particularly cold, SKYTEC’s Argon gloves will provide some much-needed relief with their thermal snug inner lining. They remain useable to temperatures down to -50ºC, so you’ll be fine for pottering around the garden in them.
Tactility support
When pruning established bushes and standard roses, get started as they begin growing but before any leaves unfurl. Many summer-flowering deciduous shrubs can be pruned between January and March. The SHOWA 541 glove will give cut resistance whilst remaining good touch for such tasks.
Bacteria hardy
Giving your greenhouse glass a once over will make all the difference to your plants. The sun will shine through even better once they’re clear. Just use soapy water if need be and give the same attention to your shelving and pots too. Even watering cans can benefit from a wash over to prevent fungal diseases. In fact, anything that might spread contamination should be given a spruce. The bird feeders that ramped up plenty of use should also be cleaned down before the baby birds start using them. Use your single-use SHOWA gloves to wipe over such apparatus with a sponge and you will be completely protected from bacteria or infection.
Long-sleeved
Water features in the spring are delightful, but only if they’ve been maintained to make room for all that spring life to move in. Pond skaters, dragonflies, frogs and even garden mammals flock to water and if you haven’t one already, there are lots of products out there you can choose from—even child-friendly ones. Clean your water features using long-sleeved gloves that can reach down below the surface, without rendering your clothing sodden. Once they’re sparkling clean, refill to allow for evaporation over the summer.