A Gardeners' Rules to Beat The Heat In Southern California

This is formatted with the idea to post it on your garden shelf to remind  yourself how to avoid skin damage from the sun!  

1. Iceland is nice this time of year.
2. Start your day by making sure you have enough water – that you are hydrated t0 begin with. Coffee, unfortunately, doesn't count.
3. Try to schedule your garden hours earlier or later in the day avoiding the hotter hours.
4. If you must be outside working when it's hot, wear long sleeved shirts and long pants – the looser the better. Use cotton or linen which allow air circulation that wicks heat away from the body.
5. Oily skin creams, sun blocker etc can clog the body's ability to move heat out from the skin.
6. Drink plenty of water. Put some ice on your pulse points (like your wrist) – the cooled blood will circulate into your system providing more relief.  
7. If you’ll be outside for a really long time, wet a bandanna, place a few ice cubes down the center, diagonally, roll it up, and tie it around your neck. Even without ice, this is a smart strategy.
8. Take frequent breaks in the shade! Drink water in the shade or, be like me, nap in the shade and dream of Iceland.

Happy Gardening!  david