To Glove or Not?

tlgoblue

Thankful for Family
Joined
Dec 1, 2002
Messages
2,159
Every year I look forward to Spring. I can't wait to get outside and get to work. This Year was no different except for some peculiar reason, I wasn't having any fun!

When I moved to Indiana, gardening became more like "Earth Sculpting". (DH's phrase:p ). Yet, I was determined not to let this stop me from enjoying something that has become as much a part of me as the nose on my face. I quickly learned that planting annuals required a good hard rain and an auger. Planting anything else, a backhoe. OK, I can do this. Nothing a ton of amended soil won't fix. And I've had mostly successes.

When I began my work this year, I set about moving some yews that the original owner had planted "by a professional" in a hot, dry, full baking sun, southern exposure, to a kinder, gentler location. I soon became bored with my chore and for the rest of the summer, I did very little gardening, save a few containers, and turned the lawn mowing over to my DS. I figured Indiana had Beaten my in more than one way. You see, I had also managed to slam on 10 lbs over the winter. So, I'm out of shape and gardening is no longer fun.

I recently caught the bug again (Fall sales!) and set about my fall gardening. Now some 5 pounds heavier yet (Guess gardening IS great exercise!) my chore became just that. Then something wonderful happened! I had to go inside for something and when I returned, I forgot to put on my gloves! (My hands are showing age and were ravaged by the dry winter, and I found myself donning gloves to keep blisters and raw knuckels at bay.) I plunged back into tedium and suddenly, I was at peace with my work! I was having a ball! I guess it was the gloves! There is something about dirt on my hands, up my arms and under my (up until today, well manicured) fingernails! I don't know what it is, but I can tell you, I am ready to do serious battle and release the beauty from the earth. I guess My manicure will have to wait!

So, To Glove or Not to Glove? What is your preference?

Keep the Faith!
Tracy
 
You have a backhoe, Tracy? :) Wow...I can't even get DH to buy us a little bobcat! ;) :)

It sounds like you had a lot of grunt work to do first. I think sometimes that can drain you, and you lose that initial zest and enthusiasm, especially if there's a lot to be done. You're on a roll now though, and going gloveless did it? Hmm....I've always heard ...No glove no love...;).

I go back and forth. I may start out with gloves on (and usually go through several pairs a season), but somewhere along the line I take them off for something, and they stay off. Usually it's deadheading, I like to use my fingertips, and the gloves seem to get in the way. Even when I do wear them, the dirt/mud still seeps through. I often use a nail brush, and of course, a ton of hand cream. :)

I like your DH's phrase....Earth Sculpting! :)
 
I'm so glad you are once again gardening...I understand about the hard soil in indiana.

Gloves...not usually...but I do have a pair that I have used every once in a while. I usually forget them...LOL
 
I'm a "no glove" gardener, I like to feel the soil when I plant and weed in open areas. The only time I try to remember my gloves is when I'm reaching under junipers to weed. I found that poison ivy likes to germinate under the bushes and the needles play havoc with my skin, some kind of allergic reaction.


Bobbi

:D
 

I do like the feel of dirt on my hands, but I also like nice nails.

I try to use gloves and am getting better at keeping them on. Everytime I visit the garden center I purchase a new pair of gloves, I have noticed when the gloves are clean and new I seem to keep them on more. $3.50 for a new pair of gloves every week is much cheaper then weekly manicures. Which I end up getting anyways because I work as a receptionist at a large beauty salon. Don't think nails full of dirt would make a good impression. Might scare a few clients away.

I do however thing there is nothing better then the feel of earth on your hands when your gardening. Or paint under your nails when the artistic part of you decides to create. Or hot (ouch) glue when your doing crafts. My favorite is the permanent dye inks when your making cards or the paint stripper when refinishing furniture.

You have to feel the artistic part of you running through your fingers and into your vains and gloves do prevent that.
 












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