Stay warm while gardening outdoors

Chicago Tribune

19-01-2025

I see Chicago Botanic Garden staff working outside all winter long and I was wondering how they deal with the cold weather.
— Adrian Kuhn, Buffalo Grove
This year in the Chicago area, our first hard frost was quite late. It was deep into November 2024 when we finally had frost — the latest that I can ever remember. December was also mild, making it an easy month for working outside. We did have a recent cold snap that reminded us of the challenges of working outdoors in the winter. I am an avid alpine skier and have been out skiing in below zero weather with proper clothing. It's still not the best experience! The staff at the Garden works outside all winter, performing tasks such as pruning, cleaning up debris and removing snow. They begin to curtail activities and take more warming breaks as air temperatures or wind chills drop below zero degrees Fahrenheit. Winter is a great time to prune trees and shrubs, as you can see the structure of the plants and where to prune to improve the health and appearance of the plants. Winter gardening can be comfortable if you are properly dressed. It is more difficult to work outside in cold weather when one is not accustomed to it, so you may find your tolerance of cold to be more limited than those who work outside regularly.
Dressing in layers is a key strategy to keep warm while working outside in the winter. This allows you to add and subtract layers during the day to maintain a comfortable body temperature. The base layer is essential for staying warm. Avoid wearing cotton next to your skin, as it holds moisture and isn't as warm as other materials. If your selection is designed to be a base layer, it must wick moisture. A wicking fabric should fit snugly to work properly. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester are great at wicking and give the driest feel while being very durable. I have gotten good results using a long-sleeved exercise shirt as a base layer on moderately cold days. (I have a collection of these from the swag given at Turkey Trot 10K runs in past years!) I use a warmer layer such as long underwear for very cold days. Merino wool has soft fibers and wicks well with moderate durability. Silk is soft with moderate wicking, but it is less durable. Silk can work for low-key activities like gardening. If you are more sensitive to cold temperatures in winter, choose a heavier-weight product that is warmer and more comfortable.
The next layer should be an insulating layer to retain heat. This layer should fit more loosely than the base layer to help create a protective layer of warm air between your skin and the outside cold for better insulation. I have had good luck wearing 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 is. Different types of insulating material have different levels of efficiency.
If you plan to work outside in inclement winter weather (rain and wet snow), you will need a waterproof outer layer. This can be a lightweight shell or an insulated coat that will also help deflect wind. It should be breathable to help move moisture from the base layers while you are working and sweating. Garden staff uses insulated coveralls for working outside for long periods of time. Wet clothes become an issue while removing snow during a storm. You may have heard that one loses a considerable amount of heat from your head if it is uncovered. In fact, we lose heat from any uncovered part of the body, and I am much more comfortable in the cold when I am wearing a stocking cap with my head and ears covered. If your feet and hands tend to get cold, I suggest hand or toe warmers in your gloves or mittens and boots. These are chemical packets that react to air and provide warmth for a few hours.
When conditions are dry and cold in the garden, I use thicker and warmer socks that are designed for hiking with hiking boots. If there is wet snow on the ground or if the weather is very cold, I use hiking socks with insulated snow boots.
Cold-weather clothing also works well for attending late fall or early spring sports events. Gardening activities generate some body heat to help keep you warm. You will want to use more and or thicker layers for warmth when you will be outdoors and inactive for long periods of time.
Learn to recognize the symptoms of frostbite. This occurs most commonly on the 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 include initially 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 to warm up to prevent hypothermia. With the proper apparel and an awareness of your personal abilities, gardening in the winter in Chicago is no problem.