Gardening guru warns people against 'worst time' to weed and prune your plants

03 July 2023 , 12:38

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Gardeners should aim to work around this specific time (Stock Photo) (Image: Getty Images)

Getting out and about in your back garden has to be one of the best parts of the summer months, especially if you have green-fingered tendencies.

There is however one time of day in particular when you should avoid getting your watering can and trowel out, both for the benefit of your garden, and for your own personal health.

A savvy gardening expert has now advised that, although a bit of weeding and planting can do wonders for a person's physical and mental health, there are some things you should bear in mind in order to stay safe and avoid potential risks.

There are some risks gardeners should bear in mind (Stock Photo) (Getty Images)

The Mail Online reports that Shannen Godwin, a gardening expert at the bulb and plant retailer J.Parker's, has now advised fellow gardeners to ensure they check their local hour-by-hour UV levels, using information from the Met Office.

The best time to crack on with your gardening is when the UV index falls below four, while the worst time is between the hours of 11 am and 2 pm, the time when the UV index is typically higher.

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Gardeners will often forget to drink water while busying themselves outdoors, and so can become dehydrated. They also run the risk of overheating and getting sunstroke.

Shannen explained: "Most people know about sunburn, but only a few are aware of sunstroke and also neglect the dangers of dehydration. Keen gardeners must adjust how and when they work in their gardens during hot summer days.

"There is a lot gardeners can do to keep their garden looking great without putting their own health at risk."

Getting your gardening done earlier or later in the day will also have plenty of benefits for your plants, as water won't evaporate nearly as fast as it does during the hottest hours of the day.

If you have no choice but to garden in the heat of the day, then Shannen advises keeping in the shade as much as you can, applying SPF 60 sun cream, taking short breaks every 15 to 20 minutes, and taking regular sips of water to avoid dehydration.

Do you have a gardening hack to share? Email us at julia.banim@reachplc.com

Julia Banim