Layer up for winter gardening comfort

I am looking for some suggestions on what to wear for winter gardening.

— Samantha Lee, Buffalo Grove

Dressing for outdoor gardening is always challenging for Chicago-area gardeners. This past November and December were warmer than usual, so it was more comfortable to work outside. Winter is a great time for pruning trees and shrubs since you can see the structure of plants and it is easier to see where to prune. Staff at the Garden work outside all winter pruning, cleaning up fallen branches, and removing snow.

Dress in layers to keep warm while you work outside in the winter. This way, you can add and subtract layers to stay comfortable. The base layer should not be cotton, because it holds moisture. The closest layer to your skin needs to wick away moisture to keep you warmer. A wicking fabric needs to fit snugly to work properly. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester are great at wicking and feel driest. They are also very durable. Merino wool has soft fibers and wicks well with moderate durability. Silk is soft, but not as durable, and it has moderate wicking ability. It is good for low-key activities like gardening. If you are more sensitive to cold temperatures, choose a heavier-weight product.

The next layer should be an insulator to keep heat in. This layer should fit more loosely than the base layer to create a protective layer of warm air between your skin and the outside cold for better insulation. I have had good luck wearing a long-sleeved technical shirt for exercise or a fleece jacket for this layer, but I also have a lightweight down coat to wear for very cold weather. In general, the thicker the material, the warmer it will be.

If you plan to work outside in winter weather like cold rain and wet snow, choose a waterproof outer layer. This can be a lightweight shell or an insulated coat that will also help deflect wind and be breathable to allow moisture to move from the base layers as you are working and sweating. Garden staff often uses insulated coveralls for working outside for long periods. Be sure to wear a hat. If your feet and hands tend to get cold, try using hand or toe warmers in your gloves and boots. These are chemical packets that react to air and provide warmth for a few hours.

I use thick, warm socks that are designed for hiking and hiking boots when conditions are dry and cold in the Garden. If there is wet snow on the ground or if the weather is very cold, I use hiking socks with insulated snow boots.

Learn to recognize the symptoms of frostbite. It is most common on fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks and chin. Because of skin numbness, you may not realize you have frostbite until someone else points it out. Symptoms can include cold skin and a prickling feeling; red, white, bluish-white or grayish yellow skin; numbness; and hard or waxy-looking skin. Keep hydrated and take more frequent warming breaks while working outside in very cold weather. If you start shivering, go inside and warm up to avoid developing hypothermia. With the proper clothing and an awareness of your abilities, gardening in the winter in Chicago isn’t that bad!

For more plant advice, contact the Plant Information Service at the Chicago Botanic Garden at [email protected]. Tim Johnson is senior director of horticulture at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

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