Clothes for a garden day in spring

Short answer: Spring is cold in the shade and warm in the sun, and in the garden you switch between the two all day. Three thin layers beat one thick one because you can adjust as you go, and thin socks keep your feet dry while the ground is still cold and wet.

Shade and sun change all the time

You dig for half an hour in the sun and then stand still in the shade, and your body cools right down before you notice. A layer you can take off and put on easily solves that. A bamboo jogging suit gives you exactly that option, because the top is quick to drop on a chair and pull on again.

Damp from the ground reaches your feet

The soil is cold and wet in spring, and damp in your shoes keeps your feet cold long after you go inside. Wellies keep water out but not the moisture from your own feet. A thin knit that moves moisture away from the skin helps. Choose socks for men and women and keep a dry pair ready.

Work makes you sweat even in the cold

Turning a bed or trimming a hedge warms you up within minutes, even when the air is cold. Your inner layer needs to keep up, so sweat does not sit on your skin and chill you when you stop. Browse the most popular for men for thin layers that work underneath on a day like this.

Three thin layers give you control

A thin base layer, a mid layer and a jacket give you three steps to adjust with. If you get warm, the jacket comes off. If you are still warm, the mid layer follows. With one thick layer you only have the choice between too warm and too cold. That is why several layers work better on a changeable spring day.

Choose clothes that can handle soil

Soil on your knees and sleeves is part of a garden day, and most of it comes out in the wash. Still, pick something you will not mind seeing with a mark. A soft knit is pleasant to work in and can be washed when the day is done. Shake off loose soil outside first so it stays out of the machine.

Think about movement

Gardening means kneeling, bending and reaching for branches. Trousers that pull over the knee and a top that rides up your back make the work harder. A soft layer with a waistband that stays put lets you work without thinking about your clothes. You notice the difference after a couple of hours in the beds.

Take breaks in dry clothes

When you sit down with a cup of coffee, your body cools quickly, especially if your inner layer is damp. Put on an extra layer before you sit and change your socks if they are wet. That makes it easier to get going again, and you will not feel cold for the rest of the afternoon.

It gets cold late in the day

When the sun drops behind the hedge, the temperature falls fast. That is when many people get cold, because they took off layers during the day and forgot to put them back on. Leave your top where you can see it and put it on as soon as the shade reaches the spot where you are working.

Frequently asked questions

How many layers should I wear

Three thin layers give you the most control over the day, because you can take one off at a time as you warm up and put it back on during breaks.

Does the base layer need to be wool

No, a thin layer that moves moisture away from the skin does the same job. What matters is that it does not hold on to sweat when you stop.

What about my knees

Put out a mat or a kneeling pad before you start. It saves both your clothes and your knees when you work close to the ground for a long time.