The first Saturday in May is a special day for nature-loving gardeners. Since 2007, the day has been celebrated as World Naked Gardening Day. The holiday itself began in 2005, but for those first two years, the day was celebrated in September. And in spots like New Zealand, the date shifted to accommodate the season. For the most part, though, the first Saturday in May is when we celebrate it.
What exactly is Naked Gardening Day? The celebration began in Seattle, Washington, when Mark Storey and Jacob Gabriel started it as a prank that took on a life of its own. The concept is pretty simple. Head out to the garden in your birthday suit to do some weeding, planting, or watering.
However, there are some things you’ll want to be aware of before you grab your watering canister.
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Celebrating Naked Gardening Day the right way
First, let me be clear. There’s more than one “right way” to celebrate Naked Gardening Day. Who am I to tell you how to celebrate your gorgeous self? You do you!
But! (Or is that butt?) May I offer a few words of wisdom? There are a few things that could turn this celebration into an unpleasant experience. So absolutely be aware of your neighbors! This may not be a problem if you’re out in the country. For those in more populated areas, you may want to consider how much you – or your neighbors – care about these things. Here are a few other tips.
Stick to gardening tasks that don’t involve sharp objects. If you’ve ever dropped a pair of gardening shears on your foot while pruning, you know how bad that could be. Now imagine that without shoes. Or imagine dropping those shears elsewhere.
Choose your tasks carefully. Pick a different day to deal with the poison ivy. You’ll thank me later for this.
Choose your tasks carefully—part 2. While we’re at it, you may want to put off that fertilizer project for another day, too.
Wear sunscreen or limit your time in the sun. Do I really need to explain this one? You’ve had a sunburn before, right? But have you had a sunburn… there?
Skip the community garden. We love community gardens. Truly. They offer so many benefits to everyone involved. However, community gardens and Naked Gardening Day are probably not a great mix.
Have some fun! I couldn’t possibly make a list for Naked Gardening Day that was just a whole bunch of “what not to do” or “what to watch out for.” This day is, after all, supposed to be fun. It’s not like you’re gardening naked every day. Or maybe you are. Either way, make it fun! Put on some music. Dance. Take your coffee or mimosa and commune with nature.
Be social. Although not everyone is into the idea of posting their #WorldNakedGardeningDay pictures, there is quite a community of online celebrants. And while I wouldn’t check the hashtag at work, the posts are very tasteful from what I’ve seen. So if you’re up for adding to the fun, go for it. Just, you know, enter at your own risk.
Do you celebrate World Naked Gardening Day? Care to share your plans in the comments?
Discover 10 top tips for growing, harvesting, and enjoying fruits, vegetables, herbs and more from your home garden—when you access the FREEBIE How to Grow a Vegetable Garden, right now!
I love this article! Well said and funny! I also chuckled at Jim’s and Bob’s comments! Enjoy your day on Saturday!
Like your puns in this, Amanda, funny read!
I volunteer to be a spectator! ????
Me too!!!
Oh, this sounds like so much fun! Like forest bathing in the garden! Too bad I live in a downtown area and don’t have high privacy fencing/walls. Being a Taurus, this totally appeals to my earthy nature. Thanks for enlightening me about this wonderful event.
I don’t celebrate naked gardening day because I don’t want to scare my plants.
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Too funny!!