Be careful when working outside in the heat
We who live in Zone 9 know that late spring through early fall are terribly hot and humid. When you’re working out in the garden, the body sweats to try to cool itself. Under mild circumstances, your sweat evaporates and starts to cool the body. However, working outside in the garden in hot, humid conditions make sweat evaporation more difficult.
Here are some precautions to follow so you can keep your body’s temperature regulated:
Take time to get used to the heat. It takes an adult three days to a week to acclimate to the heat. This counts not only when you begin gardening in the spring, but also when returning from vacation or an extended illness.
Rest every once in a while in the shade or air conditioning.
Drink 1 cup of cool water every 15 to 20 minutes throughout your outdoor task, whether it’s planting seeds, making raised beds or pruning your tomatoes. Over the course of the day you could be producing two to three gallons of sweat, so make sure you take in at least as much water as you sweat out. Don’t wait until you get thirsty. If you’re out in the heat for more than an hour, drink a sports drink such as Powerade or Gatorade to replace your body’s electrolytes excreted in your perspiration.
Wear the right clothing. Take care to wear light-weight clothing such as cotton, and make sure it fits loosely and is lightly colored. And don’t forget to wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and neck.
Next: Signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke
