County Gardeners Extension Express
Sun-Smart Gardening
With the hot, humid temperatures of the South, preventing sun damage and heat-related illness is a top priority. Today I am going to mention ways you can be sun-smart while gardening.
Plan outdoor activities prior to 10 AM or after 4 PM. Severe illnesses can occur when the heat index is 100 °F or more, which takes place when the temperature is above 90°F and the humidity is above 60 percent. Stay up to date with information related to temperature, humidity, and UV exposure. Break large projects into smaller, more manageable ones. Doing this allows you to set con-sistent break goals and avoid over-exertion. Having a buddy system with another gar-dener also helps ensure safety.
When gardening, make sure you are dressed appropriately. Wear a light weight, long sleeve shirt and a wide brimmed hat to minimize sunburn. You can also purchase sunglasses that provide 100 percent protection from UV rays.
Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. It is im-portant to follow manufacturer guidelines on how often the sunscreen should be reap-plied. Some products require reapplication in as little as every 30 minutes. Sunscreen is only effective for 1 to 2 years. Make sure to write the purchase date on the sun-screen and purchase new sunscreen every year.
Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water and avoiding the intake of alcohol or sugary drinks. A rule of thumb is to drink at least 8 ounces of water for every 15 minutes of heat exposure. Don’t forget to drink sports drinks or other sources of elec-trolytes to replace what is lost through sweating.
Some signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, headaches, and muscle cramps. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is best to take a break and cool off. Avoiding the use of appliances that give off heat is another way to reduce heat exposure.
The ill effects of the sun are almost completely preventable. Sun exposure happens every day, so think about protection from UV every day. While taking pre-cautions may feel unnecessary at the time, the effort is worth it in the long run. For more information on how to be sun-smart while gardening, see Extension Publication P3840, Sun Sense.
