“I have been seeing staff at the Chicago Botanic Garden working outside now and would like some suggestions on how to stay warm while working in the garden during winter. At some point, I imagine the weather will get uncomfortably cold, and I have lots to do in the garden this winter.”
November and December have been relatively warm in 2021, making working outside more comfortable than in a typical year. Winter is a great time for pruning 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 perfectly comfortable when you are properly dressed.
The staff at the Garden works outside all winter, performing tasks such as pruning, cleaning up debris and removing snow. The answer to the typical question asked of the horticulture staff, “What do you do in winter?” is, “We maintain the gardens.”
Dressing in the right layers of clothing will help keep you warm during winter gardening. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)
Dressing in layers is an important strategy to staying warm while working outside in the winter. This allows you to add and subtract layers during the day to maintain a comfortable temperature. The base layer is essential to help you stay warm. Avoid wearing cotton next to your skin, as it holds moisture and is not as warm as other materials. As long as your selection is designed to be a base layer, it should do an adequate job of wicking moisture.
A wicking fabric needs to fit snugly to work properly. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester are great at wicking and will give you the driest feel while being very durable. Merino wool has soft fibers and wicks well with moderate durability. Silk is soft with moderate wicking and lower durability and OK for low-key activities like gardening. If you tend to run cold in the winter, choose a heavier product that is warmer, and be sure to pick one that is comfortable for you.
The next layer should be an insulating layer to retain heat. This piece 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 been comfortable using a long- sleeved shirt and fleece jacket for this layer, but I also have a lightweight down coat to use in very cold weather. In general, the thicker the material, the warmer it will be. Different types of insulating material have different levels of efficiency.
If you plan to work outside in inclement winter weather such as rain and wet snow, consider choosing an outer layer that is waterproof. This can be a lightweight shell or an insulated coat that also helps deflect wind and is breathable to help move moisture from the base layers as you are working and sweating. Garden staff often use insulated coveralls for working outside for long periods of time. Be sure to wear a hat. If your feet and hands tend to get cold, try using hand or toe warmers in your gloves and boots. These are chemical packets that react and provide warmth for a few hours.
I use thicker, warmer socks that are sold for hikers with hiking boots when conditions are dry and cold in the garden. If there is wet snow on the ground or if the weather is very cold, I use the hiking socks with insulated snow boots.
Learn to recognize the symptoms of frostbite, which 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. These symptoms can include initially cold skin and a prickling feeling; red, white, bluish-white or grayish-yellow skin; numbness; and hard or waxy-looking skin. If you start shivering, go inside to warm up in order to prevent hypothermia. With the proper apparel and an awareness of your personal abilities, gardening in the winter in Chicago is no problem.
For more plant advice, contact the Plant Information Service at the Chicago Botanic Garden at plantinfo@chicagobotanic.org. Tim Johnson is senior director of horticulture at the Chicago Botanic Garden.