For far too long, I admit, I skimped on gardening gloves. I bought whatever was the cheapest variety and, as a result, my hands were often dirty and scratched after I spent time in my garden. In addition, I had to replace my gloves frequently.

I now know that the right pair of gloves can make a big difference in comfort as well as the ability to accomplish certain tasks. Here are three main reasons to wear gloves while you're working in your garden:

• They protect your hands from thorns, dirt, insects, and chemicals
• They help you grip tools and heavy objects
• They help your skin retain moisture and offer UV protection

Glove Types

Just as you have different tools for different gardening tasks, there are different gloves for different gardening jobs. Since you probably do pruning as well as planting, you need at least two pairs of gloves. In addition, certain gloves handle wet jobs better than others. Here is a basic list of glove types and their purposes.

• Rubber gloves or rubber-lined gloves are flexible and are useful for wet work.

• Nitrile gloves are flexible like rubber, yet they can stand up to tougher jobs involving certain tools and working with mud.

• Cotton gloves are lightweight, breathable, and best for light, dry garden work.

• Leather gloves are heavy to wear, but they can protect your hands from sharp tools and thorny plants.

Sizing

Gardening gloves should fit your hands snugly without feeling tight or restrictive. Since men and women's hands are not only sized differently but are shaped differently as well, choose from gloves specifically designed for your gender.

Sizing can vary considerably between glove brands and styles, so it's best to try on a pair of gloves before purchasing them. Make a fist with the glove on and then check for any pinching or bulking.

If you are buying gloves online, determine your glove size by holding your hand flat and measuring around your knuckles (minus your thumb). Check the manufacturer’s sizing guide if available, but here is a general guide:

Small: 6-1/2 to 7-1/4 inches

Medium: 7-1/2 to 7-3/4 inches

Large: 8 to 8-3/4 inches

X Large: 9 to 9-3/4 inches

XX Large: 10 to 10-3/4 inches

XXX Large: 11 to 11-3/4 inches

Other Features to Consider

A good gardening glove should be breathable, flexible, and washable. Depending on your needs and your budget, other features to consider are

• padded palms for extra comfort
• gel-filled fingers to help prevent blisters
• Velcro wrist closures
• grommets or hooks for attaching to a belt or clothing
• sensitive, one-piece fingertips that allow you to pick up small items (or use your phone)
• cloth areas to allow for wiping away sweat or debris from your face

Care and Maintenance

After you have purchased your gardening gloves, it's important to care for them so that they will maintain their usefulness. When you're done using them, shake off any loose dirt. Then, rinse cotton or rubber gloves in water to remove any caked-on mud. Some gloves are machine-washable; check directions. Lay gloves flat to dry or hang them up with clothespins to help them retain their shape. Wipe dirt off leather gloves with a clean rag to keep them from stiffening.