Be Safe While Working in Your Garden This Summer

It's almost the time of year again to start planting in my mini-garden that's out in back of my house. I usually plant a few herbs like parsley, rosemary, and thyme as well as some lemon grass and mint for iced tea. I still haven't figured out the recipe that we tasted one year at a little bed and breakfast over in Amish country in Illinois, but I'm still working on it. It was the smoothest, most refreshing iced tea that I have ever had.

I really don't have enough room to plant vegetables so the rest of my garden is taken up with flowers. I'm kind of partial to the ones that are easy to grow like sunflowers and marigolds. When I lived in the country, I had about a quarter of an acre of ground so I planted all kinds of things out there like peppers, carrots, lettuce and squash. I had some pretty good home grown tomatoes as well.

I never start gardening until I have all the tools that I need. The first thing I do is to check to make sure that my tetanus shot is up to date. Getting an infection that would be so severe that I would throw my neck back so hard that I would break my jaw doesn't sound very pleasant to me. There are some other precautions that you should take before working in the garden as well. According to the St. Louis Post Dispatch:

"One of the most common mistakes gardeners make is underestimating how much sun protection is needed. If you're gardening in a sunny area, wear sunscreen on all exposed skin. This includes ears, scalp and feet, which are sometimes overlooked."

You remember the rule about sunscreen when you go swimming? You should reapply the sunscreen every hour because being in the water causes it to come off and reduces its effectiveness. The same thing applies when you are out in the garden in the heat and sweating profusely.

Wear a broad brimmed hat and long sleeve shirts. These will not only protect you from the sun but also from insect bites as well. Since some insects and ticks can transmit serious disease like Rocky Mountain Fever, it's a good idea to wear an insect repellent that contains DEET. Good thick gloves are also recommended as well as a healthy dose of common sense.

Be aware of the symptoms of sun stroke or heat exhaustion when working in your garden in the hot humid weather that we have here in St. Louis. Take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water. Then you can relax, sit back and enjoy the fruits of your garden this summer.



Source: http://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/metro/life/article_010c8a27-4bbb-50e7-b7a7-f5d050af4b93.html