Pruning (continued)

The last two posts – Garden Gloves, and Pruning Gooseberries – segue into today’s piece perfectly. Since we returned from the Pacific Northwest I have been cutting back the humongous sunflowers in the front yard. I don’t usually pull them out; rather, I cut the branches and smaller stems until there is only a main stalk. Then I either pull it out or cut it to the ground. I cut the smaller stems into pieces and leave them on the ground as mulch. I dream about making some really cool garden sculpture with the stalks that can be six feet tall and two-inches in diameter. If the roots are attached, they are quite something to behold.

Alas, I’m not talented in this kind of way. I’ve seen some amazing gardens in which amazing garden designers use “junk” to create a work-of-art. When I do this I come up with a work-of-junk that leaves most people scratching their heads wondering what I was trying to do, and why I haven’t thrown that stuff out.

Pruning and gloves

However, that is not what I want to talk about here. Rather, this is about pruning and garden gloves – a pair that should always go together. You see, a few weeks ago I was standing in the front yard chop, chop, chopping away. I had planned to stop some time earlier so I had removed my gloves, but rather than going inside to start dinner, I picked up the pruners and kept going. You got it, I made my last cut to my left index finger rather than a sunflower stem. And yes, my pruners are sharp. My hands were covered with plant sap and my finger was bleeding heavily. Furthermore, my husband was in his lab (he is a scientist). Fortunately he got my distress call and came home immediately – though it seemed like forever.

We spent the next two – or was it three? – hours in the urgent care waiting room. Six stitches and a course of antibiotics followed since the cut was deep and the pruner and my finger were filthy. (I have debated whether to share photos of the gory deed and decided that it would be in very bad taste.)

This all happened about three weeks ago. The stitches were removed after 10 days, and I am heeling adequately. On the plus side, I can stir my coffee with my index finger because it is still numb. I think some feeling is coming back and the annoying tingling over the wound is diminishing.

And the moral of the story… wear your gloves, and quit before you reach flesh.