Gloves versus Band-Aids...

October 27, 2:21 PMDenver Gardening ExaminerMary Choate

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Gardeners everywhere are divided into those who garden with gloves, and those who garden with Band-Aids.  Whether you like the feel of the soil, the teeth of critters, the spines of cacti and the flow of blood, or whether you enjoy the security, greater grip and super-human powers that come with gloves, you ought to know your equipment.

For the sake of bias, I admit that I use gloves.  However, I understand those who don’t (my husband doesn’t).  He claims that gloves don’t allow him the grip he needs, he can’t tell what he’s feeling and he loves the (pain) feel of naked-hands gardening.

Naked Hands

For those who garden with their hands naked as jaybirds, here are 3 supplies you ought to be familiar with:

1)   Superglue.  It’s not just for model enthusiasts any more!  It’s also for fixing dents in windshields and sealing cuts.  I learned about this when my husband had to go to the doctor for a deep cut in his (*ahem* ungloved) hand.  Apparently, it’s been used for wound closure since 1959 (Can We Really Use Super Glue Instead of Suture?  Anne Frye).  However, it wasn’t until recently that it was non-toxic enough to actually be used for wound closure safely.  So ask your doctor for a brand recommendation!  It’s great stuff, allows you to work in the garden (and injure yourself) again!

2)   Bandaids.  These adhesive bandages function to protect the wound from soil, filth, and further puncture.  Why not just use a glove in the first place?  Make sure to wear antibiotic petroleum jelly on the wound for quick healing.

3)   Tweezers.  Get those nasty thorns out or die trying!  These were first invented by the Egyptians who, by many trustworthy accounts, did not wear gloves while gardening.  Ancient pictures on tombs show all those Egyptians who died before getting the microscopic thorns out of their fingers.  Try scraping them out or, as my husband does, put up with the pain and call it a genuine gardening experience.  He says they really don’t hurt much.

Gloves

If you prefer a civilized alternative to the primitive joy of naked hands gardening, here are some gloves you ought to try…

1)   Standard cotton gloves with “hobnobs.”  These are sold in most supermarkets for a few bucks and greatly enhance your grip on most tools.  After encouraging my husband to try them, he now uses them all the time.  “It’s so much easier!” 

2)   Reinforced gloves.  Like the extra grip?  Try thorn resistant shielding!  Try ultrathin space age materials! Some gloves advertise they are almost thorn resistant, such as the ultra garden glove!  Others are thin and doughty!  Thanks, NASA!

3)   Leather gloves.  Leather keeps you warm and safe, but doesn’t breathe.  Still, some traditionalists swear by them.  Why bother with new age armor when you can strap on your leathern jerkin and do battle with the thorns?  They’re my favorite, except when harvesting – then I like my thin, advanced space-age gloves that allow for better grip (leather is slippery).

But still, give naked gardening a try.  My husband continues to urge me closer and closer to the liberating experience of bare-hands gardening and, the few times I’ve done it, I’ve enjoyed it…until I met with thorns and other nasty things.