By D. J. Wilson,
HGTV Ideas magazine
Hands are, without question, a gardener's most valuable asset. They perform marvelous and complex tasks, yet we subject them to the worst kinds of abuse: bad weather, thorns, abrasive tools, harsh chemicals, poison ivy and just plain neglect. Like any asset, hands need protection. They need gloves!
When you're choosing a pair of gloves, start with the basics: Look for a glove that is well-constructed and comfortable. Try it on. Flex your fingers. "Gardeners want a glove that's light and flexible," says fourth-generation glovemaker Mark Dzierson. "They insist on comfort and good fit, whether they're raking leaves, clawing in the dirt or pruning roses." His list of major glove bummers: gloves that chafe, fall apart after a few wearings or don't fit well at the wrist (thereby letting dirt or mulch inside the glove). Many gloves also don't take into account the longer fingers and narrower palms of women.
What's the right glove for the gardening job? Consider the options:
- Cotton or jersey gloves are inexpensive, lightweight and cool, but keep in mind that they often shrink during washing. Many models are ill-fitting and short in the fingers. Still, they're a good choice for light gardening and other outdoor chores. Styles with PVC or rubber dots on the palms or fingers are good for gripping pots and tool handles and for keeping hands dry. These can usually be machine-washed in cold water.
- Rubber gloves protect hands from dirt, chemicals, water and thorns. It's best to select ones with flexible fingers and a cotton lining or back to keep hands cool in summer. Hand wash.
- Leather gloves are available in pigskin, cowskin, goatskin and deerskin. Good ones are expensive but durable, soft and excellent for heavy-duty garden chores. Goatskin and buckskin are especially supple, molding themselves to the hands in time. Gauntlet styles, which provide extra arm protection, are useful when gardening gets thorny. Moisture takes away oils infused in leather gloves, so it's best to clean them with a damp sponge and leather cleaner rather than immerse them in water.
Once you've collected a favorite assortment of gloves, treat them as you would a cherished tool. Before you store them, make sure they're dirt-free and dry, and in the case of leather, cleaned and conditioned to keep them soft and pliable. And unless you like pulling on a glove and finding a creepy crawler inside, store your garden gloves indoors in a dry basement, mudroom or garage in a well-ventilated container.
A "Handy" Glove Basket
Gloves can be stored anywhere it's dry. We like the plastic box with handle and the mesh box with rattan cover (right) because air can circulate. Or keep your gloves in pairs in a back-of-the-door shoe hanger. Project designer D. J. Wilson came up with a pretty glove holder that's also "handy." Here are instructions for making it:
Materials:
- flat-backed basket, suitable for hanging
- white latex spray enamel
- acrylic paints, medium blue and mint green
- urethane paint (if holder will be used outdoors)
- foam-rubber stencil of hand (or other design)
- artist's brush
- all-purpose glue
- Spray the basket with white enamel and let dry.
- Add water to blue paint until a milky consistency is achieved. Using a brush, paint the mixture on selected areas of the basket; apply green paint to other areas. Repeat until the desired color is reached.
- With a dry paper towel, rub off excess paint in some areas until white paint shows through. (A wash of white acrylic and water may be applied to the entire basket instead.)
- Remove the front of the stencil. Paint with watered-down blue or green paint (foam resists paint), then glue to the basket.
- Apply urethane if the basket is to be used outdoors.
Glove details (pictured):
Tool Grip--rubber palm and fingers with knit uppers and wrists for better ventilation. Tough, thorn-resistant and machine washable in cold water. Made in U.S.A. S, M, L.
Garden Tips--lined cotton with PVC dot-reinforced palms, thumbs and index fingers. For light gardening chores and improved grip. Style 314. Women's, one size.
Blue Suede--100% suede cowhide, elasticized wrist. Provides warmth and protection for heavier-duty gardening/yard work. Hand-washing directions included. China. S, M, L. Style 1029. Prices vary.
Heavy-Duty--top grain cowhide, also available in 3M Thinsulate. Flexible and soft. Work gloves designed for women's hands. U.S.A. S, M, L, XL. Style 316.
Mud Gloves--100% cotton knit liner, coated with latex rubber. Useful for digging in dirt or handling chemicals. Machine washable. U.S.A. Unisex sizes (XS, S, M, L) in brown, green and various pastel colors.
Goatskin--goatskin leather with 9-inch suede gauntlet attached to cuff. Suede gauntlet protects wrists and forearm from thorns and brush. Adjustable nylon strap. China. S/M and L/XL sizes, both women's and men's.
Work-Lites--goatskin palm and thumb and green, lightweight cotton-blend back. Stretch wrist strap keeps dirt out. Useful for pruning, weeding, blister-free raking. Imported. Men's and women's sizes S/M and L/XL.
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