How-to
Garden Stories
Baby, it鈥檚 Cold Outside!
Many years ago, I took a college class called 鈥淭he Natural Environment in Winter.鈥 It was January, and we met outdoors for about three hours鈥攔egardless of the temperature. I showed up at the first class wearing jeans, a medium-heavy jacket, a sweat shirt, gym shoes, cotton socks, and gloves, but no hat or scarf. (Hey, I was a city kid.) The ink in my pen froze and I couldn鈥檛 take notes. We spent a lot of time standing still to observe birds, twigs, moss, ice crystals, and seed heads while the wind sent bone-chilling blasts through my clothes. It was so cold that it was hard to concentrate on what the instructor was saying. The very next day, I bought insulated boots, long underwear, wool socks, and anything else that would help keep me warm.
If only I鈥檇 had the wisdom of Garden staff members who spend a lot of time working outdoors. They know how to dress for the weather. It鈥檚 all about wearing layers and staying dry.
David Murray, horticulturist
His typical winter gear includes a base layer of thermal underwear and a few mid-weight layers of mixed natural fiber (like wool) or synthetic clothing for warmth. 鈥淚 pull a Garden hoodie over that layer.鈥 On top of that, he wears an insulated jacket, unless the temperature dips below 15 degrees Fahrenheit. 鈥淎t that point, I generally pull on the [Garden's] coveralls.鈥 (They鈥檙e insulated.)
Heather Sherwood, senior horticulturist
鈥淲hen it鈥檚 just around freezing, I wear leggings and [insulated] jeans.鈥 She鈥檒l pull on a tank top and place two long-sleeved tops over it. 鈥淥ne is thermal and tight鈥攖he other is a Garden work shirt. Next, my work hoodie and my [insulated] jacket are the outer layer.鈥 (I鈥檓 feeling toasty already.)
Ayse Pogue, senior horticulturist
Covering the neck is a no-brainer. 鈥淪carves are a must. I also cover whatever hat I鈥檓 wearing with a hood to completely block the back of my neck,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 use a lot of gloves with varying levels of warmth,鈥 she said. 鈥淭he warmest ones are lined mittens. I used to wear hunting gloves for super cold days.鈥
Tim Johnson, director of horticulture
鈥淕ardeners should look at the outdoor recreation industry for their clothing,鈥 Johnson said. 鈥淎nything designed to work well for the outdoor sports person should work well for the gardener.鈥 He鈥檚 not kidding. He likes to hit the ski slopes via helicopter. (Which sounds terrifying to a novice skier like me.) The helicopter drops him and other skiers on a steep mountainside in British Columbia, and they are on their own for hours. 鈥淚t鈥檚 super fun,鈥 said Johnson, who has skied for 27 years. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e in the back country skiing all day long.鈥 He dresses depending on the level of activity. 鈥淚鈥檓 big on layering so you can adjust. It鈥檚 much better to have multiple layers than one thick coat.鈥
Dave Cantwell, assistant horticulturist
Dave Cantwell is the outlier. 鈥淭here鈥檚 that kid in high school who wears shorts in all weather,鈥 he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 that kid.鈥 He adds more layers depending on the temperature. 鈥淚n the winter when it gets pretty cold and I鈥檓 doing pruning, I鈥檒l slip into the coveralls. I always wear gloves and always have warm, dry feet so I鈥檓 wearing my regular summer work boots. They鈥檙e waterproof on the bottom but the canvas tops breathe, and I always wear thick socks in summer and winter.鈥 He also likes his Army Surplus rubber boots. 鈥淭hey have an air bladder inside an extra insulating layer. I鈥檒l wear a double pair of socks inside my boots.鈥 He also wears stretchy bicycling gloves inside his insulated work gloves.
So, Come On, Get Out!
Winter is a wonderland even if there鈥檚 no snow. Cure that cabin fever while enjoying the crisp cold air and bright sunshine. 鈥淲e all have different tolerances for cold,鈥 Johnson said. 鈥淚 have regular leather gloves for when it鈥檚 moderately cold. And, I have an old pair of ski gloves that I adapted for gardening. I fixed the tears using duct tape. When you get to a certain age, you don鈥檛 care what you look like. I鈥檇 rather be warm and comfortable than cold and stylish.鈥
Stay Dry
鈥淚 like to waterproof my boots and coveralls, either with a paste or spray,鈥 Murray said. It鈥檚 key to staying warm. There鈥檚 nothing worse than cold wet fabric against skin. Sherwood changes her socks and gloves frequently. Waterproof boots up to her knee protect her legs. "I have found that when I work hard, like for snow removal, I sweat a lot, and if I stop, I get cold quickly. A little perspiration can make you chilled and a change of clothes is best.鈥
Apply Sunscreen
鈥淵ou still get a lot of [UV] exposure and I use sunscreen when I鈥檓 skiing even if it鈥檚 cloudy,鈥 Johnson said. 鈥淒rink a lot of water, too. I think hydration is an issue in the winter as well. Drink before you鈥檙e thirsty.鈥
Cover Your Noggin
A bare head allows for a certain amount of heat loss. Sherwood wears a thin wool, moisture-wicking hat. When the temps are in the teens, she dons a fleece-lined wool hat.
Protect Your Extremities
Pogue wears heavy duty snow boots that keep her feet warm and dry, but they are bulky. 鈥淚 have another pair that鈥檚 lighter for not-so-frigid days.鈥
Do Some Winter Pruning
Johnson鈥檚 winter garden gear includes layers that come and go. 鈥淚n late fall, I鈥檒l have long underwear, a work shirt, and another shirt, and I鈥檒l peel the coat off when it gets too warm.鈥 He avoids cotton because once the fabric gets wet, it holds moisture against the skin.
Take a Break with Some Hot Cocoa
鈥淚 don鈥檛 get a cold from being cold,鈥 Cantwell said. 鈥淢y dad was an Army guy. He鈥檇 say when you come in, strip down to your bottom layer so you acclimate right away indoors. If you leave your winter clothes on, you鈥檒l acclimate to the indoor temps, and when you go back outside, you won鈥檛 be able to get warm. The only time I caught pneumonia was in August.
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