With longer sunnier days summer is the perfect time to head outdoors and indulge in some watering, weeding, and overall garden care. However, gardening enthusiasts are cautioning people to be mindful of certain key times during the day when it’s best to avoid spending time in their outdoor areas.

The Mirror reports that while engaging in a bit of weeding and planting can be beneficial for both physical and mental well-being, it’s important to be aware of a few things to avoid potential hazards.

Shannen Godwin, a gardening expert from J.Parker’s, a retailer specialising in bulbs and plants, advises fellow gardeners to regularly check the local hour-by-hour UV levels using information from the Met Office.

The optimal time for gardening is when the UV index falls below four, while the danger numbers to watch for tend to fall between 11am and 2pm as the UV index is often higher.

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The exact timing of UV peaks may vary in different areas, especially if there’s cloud cover on a particular day. However, as a general rule, the peak UV period usually occurs between 11am and 2pm.

As well as the risk of skin cancer associated with UV exposure, gardeners often forget to stay hydrated while engrossed in their outdoor activities, which can lead to dehydration. Overheating and suffering from sunstroke are also dangers.

Shannen told the Daily Mail: “Most people know about sunburn, but only a few are aware of sunstroke and also neglect the dangers of dehydration. Keen gardeners must adjust how and when they work in their gardens during hot summer days.

“There is a lot gardeners can do to keep their garden looking great without putting their own health at risk.”

As well as looking after your own health, doing your gardening tasks earlier or later in the day can also benefit your plants, as water evaporates at a slower rate when it is cooler.

If you find yourself with no choice but to garden during the hottest part of the day, Shannen advises to spend time in the shade whenever possible, taking short breaks, making sure you drink plenty of water and regularly applying SPF 60 sun cream.

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