I’m a green-fingered expert – this is the EXACT time of day when you should avoid your gardening

As the weather in the UK improves day by day, many may be rushing to their garden to keep it in good condition, but an expert has revealed what time of day to avoid.

Shannen Godwin, a gardening expert at British bulb and plant retailer J.Parker’s, has said that while gardening can help with both your physical and mental health, it also carries some risks.

One is the UV levels at the time when you decide to go out. She advises horticulturists to make a habit of checking the hour-by-hour forecast via MetOffice.

Shannen adds that the best time to garden is when the UV index is below 4, which is less risky.

However, the worst time to start weeding and clearing your green space is between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

She says this is because these are the times when the UV index regularly reaches high or very high ratings.

Gardeners can often forget to drink while gardening, which can lead to dehydration and they are also at risk of heatstroke, where the body overheats.

Symptoms of heat stroke include dizziness, tiredness, headache, nausea or vomiting, a high temperature, being very thirsty and feeling faint, according to the NHS.

“Most people know about sunburn,” says Shannen, “but only a few are aware of heatstroke and also ignore the dangers of dehydration. Avid gardeners need to adjust how and when they work in their garden during hot summer days.

“Gardeners can do a lot to keep their garden looking nice without putting their own health at risk.”

But your plants may also thank you for watering them earlier or later in the day, as water evaporates more quickly during the hottest hours, meaning the plants benefit less.

Gardeners often forget to drink while gardening, which can lead to dehydration and are also at risk of heatstroke, where the body overheats (stock image)

But if you can’t avoid going outside during the sun’s strongest hours, Shannen says you should do your best to work in the shade as much as possible.

You should also wear sunscreen when outside, which should be at least SPF 30, but Shannen recommends using SPF 60.

When working in direct sunlight, gardeners should stay hydrated and take short breaks in the shade every 15 to 20 minutes.

If you’re a nature lover who can spend hours cleaning up plants without realizing it, Shannen says you should set an alarm every 30 minutes to take a break.

She says to use this break to take sips of water to avoid dehydration and reapply sunscreen if necessary.

While it may seem tempting to throw on tank tops and shorts on those warmer days, you’re more at risk for sun damage and even bug bites and stings because you’re exposing more skin.

It is recommended that gardeners wear long but light pants and a top that covers at least the shoulders, while sun hats are another useful piece of gardening equipment.