Gloves off

[di]

I think yes...Tetanus needs to be updated every ten years.(I thought I ought to check if mine was up to date when I slashed my foot the other week....my last one was when I was 14...so only 14 years overdue!...which actually also made me feel really old!

[Pumpkin Becki]

I think you only need a booster every 10 years these days- used to be much more often

That still means its 20 years since my last one - but thanks, I feel so youthful now

[janeyo]

Now my local health authority told me last time I thought I needed a tetanus that if I'd had all my boosters as a youngster etc I was now covered for life and didn't need any extras... why can't they all sing from the same sheet?!

[piskieinboots]

I've also heard this Janeyo

[Nicos]

I've also heard this Janeyo

talk about confusing!!

I'll ask my Dr over here when I go for a check up- It'll be interesting to hear what is recommended for a nation of hypochondriacs!!!!

[Flummery]

No gloves here - except for removing nettles and cleaning out chooks. I reckon to some extent you build up resistance to germs. I do keep my tetanus boosters up at 10 year intervals though.

[jackie j]

When I first got my allotment I didnt wear gloves as I found it hard to work with them on, I got so fed up of being stung when pulling weeds I started to wear them most of the time and now the first thing I do is put on gloves, still manage to get stung as I forget and think I will just have a look at something and forget the little blighters that lurk between the plants.

[Hazel at the Hill]

gloves off unless there are serious thistles/nettles to be got shot of, or prolonged digging.

Hair washing is a good way to get hands clean after.

[annacruachan]

Vinyl gloves for most things requiring a delicate touch and heavy duty for hedging, strimming and the like. Don't dig so no probs there. However, I still seem to have filthy nails! Don't know how that happens!

[bobleponge]

I'm a no glove kind of man.
Hands get clean when I come to work, and then get minging when I get home.
Seems to balance out ok.

[Rabidbun]

Try the cotton ones from boots, with a latex one over the top. Tight as a gnat's *****

Cheers, will get some of those and give it a go!

As far as tetanus goes, my doc is also of the "already covered for life" camp and didn't seem that worried when I asked him. Don't trust him, but heck, advice is so variable about that one that I am probably stuck with it!

[dexterdoglancashire]

I start off with gloves but always end up going bare handed - except in winter when I need the gloves on to stop my fingers dropping off in the cold. I've got some super thermal ones

[Alison]

Never used to wear gloves but started wearing them more when I got the lottie last year (mainly to avoid nettle stings). Got through a few pairs of cheapo ones while clearing the plot and then bought a couple of pairs at the GW show in June. One heavy duty pair and another for finer work but still can't cope with wearing any when pricking out. Tend to wear one when sowing, bare hand for the seeds and gloved hand to fill modules / cover the seeds. Works for me and it means I have semi respectable hands these days. Can't abide latex ones as hate the smell but find that applying hand cream before putting on gloves helps.

[JanieB]

I wear gloves when dealing with brambles (expensive, heavy-duty ones). My brother gave me a box of industrial latex gloves as he'd ordered a size too small for him. They're perfect for me when doing more delicate work though hot and sweaty in warm weather.

I don't have nails. What I have are clean 'cos I hate dirty nails. We were discussing gardening and allotments in the pub the other day and one bloke asked me to show him my nails as "proof" that I garden. He decided that I probably do as they are so short and aren't polished .

[sweetiepea]

Gloves on for the heavier jobs but definately off for sowing, weeding and in the greenhouse. I love to feel of the soil, much to the disgust of some of the children at DS school!