Summer is the ideal time for getting your garden into shape. Whilst traipsing outside might not seem all that appealing come October, it can actually be really enjoyable whilst the weather is warm, and we’re lucky enough to have had some perfect gardening days recently.
But it’s not as easy as just heading outdoors as soon as the sun starts to shine. Gardening takes forethought and planning, and it isn’t only plotting your flowerbeds and picking out plants you have to think about. Tools, materials, and even appropriate clothing all need to be stocked up on too.
On that note, footwear is an essential part of gardening, and it requires some careful choosing. Luckily for you, that’s the sole (pun intended) reason that we wrote this article.
When it comes to selecting suitable footwear for gardening, there’s one thing you should note from the second your search begins: that you’re best going for a size up. The reasons for this are simple. Firstly, you’ll be wearing your chosen shoes or boots frequently, so a bit of extra give is one way to prevent blisters. Secondly, doing so will leave you enough room to wear a pair of chunky socks underneath – a godsend in the colder months.
Aside from being suitably sized, a good pair of gardening boots will need to be waterproof, and there’s an obvious explanation for this: they’ll frequently end up wet. Even if you don’t plan on being out in all weathers tending to your outdoor areas, boggy ground, early morning dew, and soggy soil all mean that your shoes are going to get the occasional soaking so, if you want to avoid cold toes and chilly feet, opt for options made with this practical aspect in mind. That means trainers are a no-go!
Although gardening is not the riskiest pastime you could adopt, it does have its dangers. Wielding pitchforks and spades with the intention of driving them deep into the dirt means that squashed toes and even impaled feet are not uncommon, which is why we recommend looking at steel toecap footwear from a company like Engelbert Strauss. Specialising in safety wear, retailers like these are your best bet when you want products you can trust to properly protect your feet, and they offer the added boon of being able to expertly advise you on your purchase. Don’t be afraid to get in touch with them if you’re not entirely sure of the sort of shoes or boots that would suit you best.
Last but not least, remember that when it comes to making an important – and potentially expensive – purchase like this, you want to have peace of mind before you buy. The best way to get this is by doing your research and reading reviews, so find out as much as you can prior to placing an order. As well as searching for existing internet treatises on the subject, it can also be a good idea to ask for advice and recommendations on specialist gardening forums too. These should provide you with unbiased opinions as well as individual experiences that you can really rely on.
Isn’t it time to start your search?