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What could possibly be better than gardening on a beautiful sunny day? Just being able to feel the warmth of the sun and listen to the birds chirp is enough to remind me how wonderful life is. But wait. I forgot to check the "UV Index" before going outside! Being a master gardener is not only about horticulture. It's also about protecting ourselves from the damaging rays of the sun so we can keep on gardening. If you've ever had a sunburn, you have felt some of the bad effects of too much sun and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. It is common knowledge that too many UV rays can cause skin cancer. But, did you know that UV rays can cause skin damage during any season or at any temperature!
Other effects of too much sun include; older looking skin, cataracts and other eye damage. Here are a few precautions from The American Academy of Dermatology to reduce our risk of sun-related illness.
Jean Hudgins, Smith County Master Gardener
Texas AgriLife Extension Service
As a nurse, I stay in my preventive-care mode and am always looking for ways to keep people healthy in gardening or in any other activity. Wearing a hat outside is just as essential as wearing gloves or shoes. Hats help protect your body from harm, and you will look stylish and smart as well.
Hats are beneficial in various ways. Primarily they protect your face and head from the harmful UV rays of the sun. Even on cloudy days, some UV rays still come through the clouds. In the warmer months of the year, the earth is closer to the sun, so these UV rays are more intense and more damaging. Our atmosphere is not as protective as it used to be, allowing more UV rays through to our skin. This means that the occurrences of skin cancer increase dramatically. The fair-skinned folks are really more susceptible to this than others. Also repeated exposure to the sun causes our skin to become more leathery and wrinkled prematurely. Who wants that?
Hats shade our faces and heads to keep us cool while we garden. It is also a good idea to wear sunblock, a lotion that puts a protective layer on our skins to block harmful rays of the sun, on areas of the body that will be exposed while outside.
Susan Goins, Smith County Master Gardener
Texas AgriLife Extension Service