Yes, today, Saturday, May 4, 2019, is the fourteenth annual World Naked Gardening Day, when people across the globe are encouraged to tend their gardens, flower boxes and yards clothed only as nature intended.
However, I have decided not to participate fully this year. It’s simply too cold. This year, there is even still even snow on the ground in the far reaches of the yard. What I will do is bare my hands. Yes, I’ll dare to go outside without gloves. Maybe even in short sleeves. Does that count?
Actually, it has been too cold every World Naked Gardening Day since I first heard about this seven years ago. What a bummer! If the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) wants people in my neck of the woods to participate, you’d have to move World Naked Gardening Day to July!
Since I know that most of my readers from warmer climes will, of course, be participating, here are a few tips offered by the AANR on how to enhance your nude gardening experience:
- Apply sunscreen liberally;
- If you’re gardening at dawn or dusk, remember the bug repellant;
- Prune roses, bougainvilleas and other thorny plants with caution;
- Don protective gardening gloves, hat and sun glasses;
- Add to your comfort kneeling or sitting on a towel-covered gardening mat;
- Appreciate the health benefits: Studies indicate your body needs at least 20 minutes a day of sunshine over at least 75% of your body to help prevent a vitamin D deficiency;
- Tell someone about your experience*.
*Actually, if I ever tried this, I wouldn’t have to tell anyone: the information would spread throughout the neighborhood like wild fire!
I personally would suggest putting something on your feet, even if it is just a pair of thongs… and avoid chainsaws.
Have a wonderful World Naked Gardening Day, everyone!