You should wear gloves any time you work in the garden, advises the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.

Proper gloves reduce blisters, protect skin from fertilizer, pesticides, bacteria and fungus, splinters, thorns, pests and poison ivy. They also prevent sunburn and nail damage.

What makes a good glove?

Forget the cotton, flowered garden glove of yesterday. Instead, look for gloves made with high-tech materials and designs that help reduce hand fatigue, eliminate friction and dampen vibrations while protecting your hand.

Remember, you can always purchase new tools, but new hands are hard to come by so protect them.