Today I am using a system of triage to allocate
– on the basis of need or likely benefit –
myself. From trier, to sort.
There are those who are likely to live, whatever care they receive,
those who are likely to die, whatever care they receive,
and those who, with care, might live, and without care, might not.
The japonica needs to be staked and pruned
but experience in the field says it will live.
The Bramley with a limb brought down by wind
is walking wounded and can wait
and there’s no saving geraniums caught by frost
– they are beyond ‘expectant’, beyond urgent –
but bindweed is throttling the roses and their need is immediate.
Acceptable rates of over- or under-triage are five per cent.
Neither is crucial in a gardening situation.
Triage is a dynamic process. Things can change quickly.
Some things live, some die.
Today the roses are taking priority.