Gardening gloves endorsed by England’s Royal Horticultural Society are now available from Gardener’s Supply Co.

The Gold Leaf gloves are made of high-quality leather that conforms snugly to the gardener’s hands and are touted as being well-made, soft and comfortable.

Gardener’s Supply offers all four Gold Leaf glove styles: Dry Touch, made of a water-resistant leather; Tough Touch, designed to remain comfortable while protecting the hands from thorns; Soft Touch, multipurpose gloves that allow for maximum dexterity; and Winter Touch, which are insulated and waterproof yet breathable, so hands stay warm and dry in wet, cold weather.

Prices range from $38.95 to $49.95. Shipping is extra.

The gloves can be ordered at www.gardeners.com, or call 800-955-3370 to request a catalog.

Q&A

Q. I have a mixed variety of furniture, from rock maple to cherry and some things in between. I’m just not sure how to clean it on a weekly basis. Would a dampened microfiber cloth be good enough?

Dusting is all most wood furniture needs on a weekly basis. Many furniture makers recommend vacuuming furniture with a dusting brush attachment, but a soft cloth is fine, too. Microfiber cloths can be used dry for dusting, but you can dampen the cloth slightly if you wish, as long as the furniture has a water-resistant finish.

Some people think furniture should be waxed or polished regularly to “feed” the wood, but in reality, waxes and polishes just sit on top of the finish and build up if they’re overused.

If you want to give the furniture a more thorough cleaning occasionally, furniture maker Bernhardt recommends using a mild soap made for wood cleaning or a good-quality furniture cleaning product. Follow the directions, and avoid wetting the furniture a lot.

Bernhardt says you can follow this cleaning with a good-quality furniture polish if you want more shine.

Stay away from polishes containing silicone and oily polishes that can attract dust and dirt.