My mother used to scrape her fingernails over a bar of soap which would keep the dirt out. I tried that once and it sort of worked, but maybe my soap wasn't quite as soft or something. It helped, but it was not perfect. I hope someone can give you the answer. I would love something like that, although I usually just use a nail brush after gardening and that works fine.

I thought mud WAS hand cream? Maybe not...

Don B.

I know exactly what you mean. It is awful to deal with. Have no idea but they used to have a bar laundry soap, not too soft, so it would stay under the nails I presume. My cuticles get really messed up. And always, if I have gloves, a couple of finger tips are blown out and the glove is only marginally useful. I got some gloves from Foxgloves online, they stretch nicely, give support, and they even have a long pair nice for dealing with thorny plants. I also ordered a crocheted sun hat from them which vents nicely and is washable by hand. Link below

Here is a link that might be useful: Gloves and such for gardeners..Foxgloves

I must be a hot mess, because I always get dirt in my gloves, so my nails end up dirty anyway. :-P

Deanna

Same here Deanna! I started using latex exam gloves...I don't have to clean them up, just toss 'em. If I'm wearing for a while, I dust my hands with baby powder first.

Lee Valley has this product! I remember seeing it in their catalog. Check out www.leevalley.com

I didn't get it...I use an old toothbrush (save all old ones for various uses) for under my nails AND for my toes 'cause I love going bare feet, or get them in the dirt by accident...try this before you get anything else...the bristles of toothbrush seem to work better than any nail brush I've tried.

Toothbrush works great for getting around crowded spaces of faucets...

yep, Lee Valley has the Gloves in a Bottle, and I can heartily endorse this product. I have very odd mucky soil out back that really stains my hands, but using Gloves in a Bottle has stopped that from happening. It's great stuff!!

As for dirt under my nails, I do as my mother did and use a small paring knife under running water to clean them. I also work the lotion in under my nails when applying. So far, so good!

Lee Valley is one of the best -- they have lots of great things.

I keep my nails short. If I can't remove the soil from under my nails by various means, I go for a mani/pedi....Mmmmm....with the hot stone massage....

There must be aggressive bacteria and fungii in the garden soil. I usually wear gloves in the garden. Otherwise I use vaseline out of the jar, it protects my skin the best. All the other cremes wash or wear off, do not help in heavy garden work. Bernd