Yes, you should wear gloves when gardening to protect your hands. Light, easy gardening can be done with a simple pair of canvas gloves, while heavier duty or thornier garden work will require a thicker padded pair of gloves with cut and abrasion resistance. The best gardening gloves will keep your hands clean, free from cuts, scrapes, splinters, as well as any harmful bacteria, fungi, and poisonous leaves you may encounter while working in the yard.