Top-Rated CBD Hand Balm and Other Gardening Essentials

There’s always been a (somewhat obvious) connection between cannabis and gardening, but, in recent years, both have attracted legions of new fans from unexpected demographics. According to the 2018 National Gardening Survey, around 77 percent of American households now grow plants at home, and many of these new gardeners are young men between the ages of 18 and 34. Meanwhile, studies have shown that cannabis use is also on the rise among Americans, with seniors comprising the fastest-growing segment of users.

As the crossover continues, both groups are quickly discovering what their predecessors have known for years: cannabis has considerable medicinal powers (which explains why baby boomers have embraced CBD so wholeheartedly), and gardening can take a toll on your skin and joints (which has led more than one millennial to give up and stick to succulents).

However, blending the two together — like using a CBD topical cream after a long afternoon of digging, for example — offers the best of both worlds. CBD-infused gardening can be an opportunity to develop one’s green thumb while making sure it (and all other appendages) stays pain-free and properly moisturized. Here are some other helpful items that every gardener could use:

The CBD-Infused Gardeners’ Toolkit

NakedCBD Relief Balm from NakedCBD ($150)
While many CBD topicals skimp on their cannabinoid content, this powerful balm contains 1,000 mg of CBD, which is tested for purity by a third-party laboratory. The CBD it contains is full spectrum, which is the most effective variety, and the product is free of artificial ingredients. It’s expensive, but good CBD products usually are.

Professional Knee Pads from Kutir ($22)
Experienced gardeners know the value of a set of high-quality knee pads. These ones feature thick gel inserts, anti-skid coatings, and breathable fabrics to make even the longest gardening sessions less painful and sweaty.

Gardening Gloves With Claws from Scuddles ($16)
They might make you look like Wolverine from X-Men, but these gloves serve a practical purpose: they make it easy to remove weeds and rocks or break up soil without the need for extra tools. They’re also waterproof and BPA-free.

Companion Plants and How to Use Them by Helen Philbrick and Richard B. Gregg ($15)
Struggling with pests eating your plants but want to avoid using harmful pesticides? Companion plants keep bugs at bay without harming your plants or the soil they’re in. This introductory book serves as a comprehensive beginner’s guide to teach you everything you need to know about using companion plants in your garden.

Wide Brimmed UV SPF 50+ Sun Hat from Auch ($12)
Even in the cooler months, 80 percent of the sun’s UV rays can penetrate heavy cloud cover and damage your skin. So, a sun hat like this one is an invaluable tool in your arsenal. Not only does it have a protection equivalent of factor 50, but it provides full coverage of the head and neck and comes in a range of colors.

Softouch Garden Tool 3 Piece Set from Fiskars ($16)
A craftsperson is only as good as their tools, as the saying goes, and this rust-resistant set (which includes a trowel, a cultivator, and a transplanter) comes with ergonomic grips and a lifetime warranty. They’re an attractive option for the novice gardener or the old hand whose kit needs an upgrade.

Garden Kneeler and Seat from Ohuhu ($40)
This foldable, lightweight, “grandmother-approved” kneeler can save your legs and back from soreness — and your clothes from getting soaked in mud. It can be adjusted to make it easy to reach short or tall plants, and the built-in pouches are a handy place to store tools.

The Bucketeer Tool Organizer from Bucket Boss ($16)
Gardeners tend to acquire quite a lot of specialized tools, and keeping them organized in one place is essential. This sturdy canvas organizer (bucket not included, sadly) was the first of its kind, and it hasn’t been surpassed. It has 30 pockets for small tools, along with thick interior loops for securing larger ones.