Some time back I wrote an article on the importance of wearing gloves while working in areas that might be infested with black widow spiders. One might do well to consider gloves when working in other areas, too.
I have a nice, long row of Pampas grass planted in front of a nice, long row of Arborvitae. They're both quite young. Pampas can be beautiful if it's kept clean. That means cutting back all the dead foliage each year. Today, I decided to give my Pampas their first flat top.
The Pampas sliced my finger. Never would I have thought Pampas grass blades could inflict such a painful wound. Did it smart? Well, I did a dance, and it wasn't so the neighbors would throw quarters at me. Mercy!
Any more barbering done to the Pampas means gloves. No exceptions!
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Ouch! I'm glad to know that because I will not ever plant that type of grass.
I have black widows in the spring, and the are everywhere outside in the backyard. If I have to move stuff around, I would wear gloves for them too. I wish you a quick recovery for your finger which is injured!!!
Oh yes. If you look at each blade of pampas grass you will see that on both sides are saw tooth edges which will definitely rip your fingers open. I have some big Agaves too that not only have sharp needle points on the end but also have them up and down the edges of the blades. They have some kind of poison or something on them that stings and burns and is hard to heal. I always wear big thick gloves when I deal with them. Your finger really looks bad, I hope it is healed up by now. Also John son grass has saw tooth edges on them too.
Robyn, Cheryl,
The cut was really painful, but it is healing nicely. Thank you both.
I am so glad that your finger healed up and is better now. I forgot to say about my comment that the Agave Americana or Century Plant used to be used by the American Indians as a needle and thread. The agave leaf when it is dried has the sharp needle on the end of it and if you strip the outer edges it is full of strong threads that are as long as the leaf itself.
Wow! That sure does look painful but I'm glad it is getting healed. I had some of this grass years ago and even wearing gloves I would get "wounded" so I have decided to grow other things instead - maybe some bamboo soon?
Take care and thanks for reminding us that even knowledgeable gardeners can still learn when to make changes.
It was 50 degrees yesterday and today it's suppose to be 70 degrees. I had thought about waiting until today to cut my Pampas grass but remembered seeing your bloody hand on TF.
I decided that 50 degrees was the best time to do it. I put on sweat coat and gloves and was covered up well.
That's some mean stuff to cut and your advice is perfect. You have my vote!!
I burn my pampas grass it comes back beautiful. Set dead on fire and let it burn. A guy that works in nursery told me to do this
I like the idea of burning the grass. Nothing to rake up and haul away. But of course, I wont. Soon it will be close to my Arborvitaes. And living in the city, I am not allowed to burn yard waste.
Thanks for the comment.
Pampas grass is an extremely invasive plant, non-native in CA and a real nightmare to get rid of. It will choke out anything in the area. Not sure about how it grows in other regions but PLEASE do not cultivate it in CA.
Ouch! That is a bad cut. I hope it is healing fast. Thank you for the warning. I have got bad "paper cuts" from plants too. I always wear my gardening gloves. I was weeding a very tiny area in my garden one day.
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