The Dos and Don'ts of Gardening Shoes

You love to garden, but of course gardening isn't the cleanest hobby in the world. You've already got the right garden clothes: old jeans, a t-shirt, and maybe a hat or a kerchief to keep the sun from blazing down on your head. However, what should you do about the right pair of gardening shoes?

Don't Risk it

You just bought a new pair of sneakers, and, while relaxing out in the yard, you notice that you have some weeding to do in your garden. You don't give it a second thought, and walk right into your garden with your new shoes on, only to find them encrusted with dirt in jus a few seconds. Bottom line: even when garden soil is dry, it can still leave your shoes muddy, so never risk doing gardening with new shoes on.

Don't Wear Sandals

A common mistake that people make while gardening in the summer is to wear sandals or flip flops. This is not a good idea, because if you are working in your garden and you are wearing sandals or flip flops, it makes it easier to trip on rocks or roots. Also, wearing sandals or flip flops in the garden is uncomfortable, because not only can dirt get on your sandals or flip flops, but it can also get in your sandals or flip flops, thus making your feet dirty.

Do Wear Old Sneakers

So, after figuring out what kinds of shoes you shouldn't wear, you now know that the best kind of gardening shoes to wear are sneakers, and the older/less you care about getting them dirty, the better. Also, be sure that the bottoms of your sneakers have good support/treads. Most likely you will be kneeling a great deal, and you don't want to put too much pressure on your knees.

Old sneakers can be anything from those canvas sneakers, to an old pair of jogging sneakers. If you want, you can also wear an old pair of hiking sneakers. If the idea of wearing an old smelly pair of sneakers disgusts you, then simply go to a local shoe store or department store, and buy a pair of inexpensive sneakers that, although new, you don't care about getting dirty. Whatever pair of sneakers you choose, be sure that they are comfortable. After all, comfortable feet leads to comfortable gardening.