As Sir Rannulph Fiennes said, “There is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.” And so it is with gardening in the rain. You just need to be prepared.
Eschew jeans in favour of looser fitting trousers, easily peelable leggings, or best of all, waterproof ski-wear (charity shops often have day-glo or otherwise hideous ski-wear at bargain prices). Go for lots of layers on top so you can strip off as the exertion warms you up or, if it’s not too cold, wear the bare minimum (on the basis that sopping clothes are much more uncomfortable than wet skin).
Add in a few home comforts and there’s no reason that gardening in the rain should be any less fun than gardening in the sunshine.
Accessory #1: Wellies
A good pair of wellies will protect your feet and your floors in equal measure: few things indicate a keen gardener more than the state of the kitchen floor. By keeping a pair of boots next to the back door you can ensure your feet stay dry, and they can easily be slipped off so that you don’t traipse mud around the house. Life’s too short for daily floor cleaning, after all.
Accesory #2: Welly warmers
Cold feet are one of the major banes of gardening in the rain, but these fab fake fur topped welly warmers slip inside your boots to add an extra level of warmth between your socks and your wellies. They’re also available in chinchilla or leopard print fake fur, or in plain green or pink should you shun the fluff. Great for festivals too, and only £16.95.
Accessory #3: Waterproof brimmed hat
Rain in the eyes can make it hard to tell your weeds from your plants, but a waterproof hat will keep the rain at bay – and there’s no need for the hat to be boring, either.
Accessory #4: A nice cup of tea
Keeping warm is so much easier if you’ve got a cup of tea (or brandy-laced hot chocolate) to hand. These fantastically kitsch thermos flasks will ensure you have access to a cuppa no matter how extended a gardening session is required.
Accessory #5: Rain catchers
While it’s raining, take advantage of all that free (and eco-friendly) water. You can simply put out buckets or invest in a water butt. However, if you’d rather have a quirkier approach to water collection, these petal tops that funnel rainwater into recycled water bottles may appeal. Positioning a group of them together in an area of the garden that’s unfit for growing will make an interesting feature.
Accessory#6: Garden kneeler
You don’t want your knees getting wet and muddy so a waterproof garden kneeler is essential for extended weeding sessions. I’m in two minds about this tomato-shaped kneeler but it’s certainly original, and at £5.50, the only cheaper kneeler would be a cushion inside a binbag (which is a free alternative, should you object to unnecessary spending.)
Accessory #7: Garden doormat
OK, so I’m obsessed with avoiding getting mud on the floor but only because cleaning the floor is such a chore. A mat inside the door to the garden will help protect your floors. Hoover it regularly, particularly if you have any asthmatics in the house, as otherwise it’ll be a hellish dust trap.
Accessory #8: Crumpets
Image by LoopZilla
No rainy afternoon in the garden is complete without rewarding yourself with a plate of toasted buttery crumpets once you’re done. yes, it’s an indulgence, but after all that hard work, it’s the least you deserve.
Accessory #9: Muscle relief bath oil
Chances are, you’ll be much more achy after a rainy garden session, but Tisserand’s muscle relief bath oil is a fantastic way to ease away the pains. The ginger, rosemary and lemongrass oils smell amazing, and should help you warm up in no time.
Accessory #10: Slanket
Finally, curl up underneath a slanket – a blanket with sleeves, leaving your hands free to flick through your favourite gardening book. Lazy? Yes. But you have been in the garden in the rain…
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