What to wear on the allotment from spring to autumn
Short answer: On an allotment the work and the weather change with the seasons. In spring and autumn you need warm layers under your work clothes, and in summer light clothing that copes with soil and sweat. Choose hard wearing on the outside and soft on the inside.
Spring: cold mornings and damp soil
When the season starts in March and April, the soil is cold and wet, and the mornings can be frosty. You kneel, dig and carry, and your body warms up while your hands and knees get cold. Long underwear under your work trousers keeps your legs warm as you kneel in the beds. See bamboo long johns. A kneeling pad or trousers with reinforced knees protect both clothes and joints.
Summer: light and airy
In summer it is warm, and you sweat while weeding, mowing or carrying water. Shorts in a light fabric are pleasant, but long trousers protect against nettles, thorns and midges. Many people switch between the two depending on the job. See bamboo shorts for men. Remember a sun hat and sun cream, as you often spend many hours outdoors.
Underwear for hard work
Gardening is physical, and you bend and stretch all day. Underpants that do not roll up or rub make a long day more comfortable. See bamboo underpants for men. Choose a style with a short leg that stays in place, and keep a spare pair in the shed so you can change if you have sweated a lot.
Autumn: rain and wind
In September and October you harvest, clear beds and prepare the plot for winter. The weather is changeable, with rain and wind. A waterproof suit over your work clothes keeps you dry, and a warm mid layer underneath keeps you warm. Wellies with a good sole are essential on wet grass and paths.
The shed as a wardrobe
Many allotment holders keep a set of gardening clothes in the shed. It saves time and keeps soil and dirt out of the car and the house. Keep a clean set and a towel there too, so you can change after work if you are going on somewhere. Hang clothes up to dry after use, so they do not go mouldy in a damp shed.
Washing and care
Shake soil and grass off your clothes before they go into the machine. Work trousers and jackets can often be washed warmer, but underwear and base layers in viscose from bamboo are washed at 30 or 40 degrees and dried on a rack. If your joints or back ache after gardening, talk to your doctor.
Hands and back
Gardening gloves protect against thorns, soil and blisters, and a pair of thin gloves under your work gloves keeps fingers warm in spring. Your back has a lot to do, so switch between jobs where you stand, kneel and walk. Lift heavy sacks with bent knees and close to the body. A close fitting layer over the lower back keeps the muscles warm when you lean forward for hours.
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear on the allotment in spring
Warm layers under your work clothes, such as long underwear, and a kneeling pad or trousers with reinforced knees.
Why wear long trousers in summer
They protect against nettles, thorns and midges, even though shorts feel cooler.
Should I keep clothes in the shed
It is practical. A set of gardening clothes and a clean change save time and keep soil out of the house.
