I guess that's why I always feel so happy when I work at the potting table. Time to get out there again this week, whether it's too hot or not. My strawberry window boxes got dried out by accident and need some major pruning of dead leaves. We've been spoiled by rain most of the year, but it missed us that day.Hopefully they will recover.

I generally don't wear gloves when digging around in the soil, mostly for the sake of precision and tactile enjoyment (there's an analogy to another human activity which I will leave to your imagination). It's nice to think this might expose me to microbes which could elevate my mood, even though it also puts me at risk from pathogens which could harm me (i.e. the agent of tetanus), not to mention cuts from rocks and bits of broken bottles and construction debris thoughtfully left behind by other people decades ago.

I don't like wearing gloves either, on the odd occasion I have but usually end up chucking them. I love the feel of the soil between my fingers and find gloves a nuisance when doing some delicate weeding. Needless to say I keep my tetanus shot renewed when needed.
Maybe that explains why after a hard day working in the garden, coming in stiff and sore and reaching for the Aleve I'm in such a good frame of mind :).

Annette

gardening is just an excuse to allow adults to play in the dirt ...

we surely didnt need some multimillion dollar gubment study to explain such.. did we???

ken

I love to play in the dirt as long as it is not sweltering and especially as long as mosquitoes or flies leave me alone.

I do like to pull on thin rubber gloves before digging in.

Very interesting. I usually use gloves because my alkaline soil is so drying to the hands, but it says we can inhale it, too. I know it does elevate my mood, but I thought it was sunshine and being out in nature. Who knew it's something in the soil, too!

I'm wondering if this would apply to potting mix as well. That could explain why so many people, including me, look forward to winter sowing. It makes me feel good in January to play with soil and seeds when it's cold and icy outside.

I always wear gloves when I garden. Can't STAND the feeling of dirt on hands or especially under nails.