by Kristen Smeal, Master Gardener
Children are curious explorers, and for that reason it’s important to look at things from a child’s perspective when thinking about gardening safety. Here are some tips to keep you and your child safe during gardening and outdoor activities.
1. SUNSCREEN AND HAT
As a general rule, the sun is the hottest and UV light most likely to burn the skin between the hours of 11am-3pm. Take breaks in the shade or indoors between these times and always remember to wear sunscreen 50+ and a hat. A wide brim hat is best, but don’t forget to put sunscreen on the tops of little ears when wearing a ball cap or bonnet.
2. WATER
Pay attention to little ones around water features such as ponds, fountains, and pools. It is best to gate or cover them while not in use. Don’t leave buckets of water around where kids will be playing unsupervised; think rain barrels, watering cans, baby pools. However, make sure you drink plenty of water while gardening to stay hydrated.
3. POISONOUS PLANTS
Teach kids early on not to eat ANYTHING from the garden without permission, including edible fruits and vegetables. Some plants to avoid planting in a children’s garden include, Azalea, Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia), Boxwood, Calla Lily, Cyclamen, Delphinium, Foxglove, Hyacinth, Hydrangea, Lantana, Larkspur, Oleander, Rhododendron. Even rhubarb carries some risk, as the stems are only safe when cooked. Try to avoid plants like Mistletoe and Italian Arum, which produce colorful, poisonous berries. Be sure to look for plants with a risk of skin irritation, like Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Stinging Nettles, and eradicate it safely away from the area in which kids play.
4. HIGH STAKES
Make sure to put little balls or figurines on top of stakes. Eye protection (think sunglasses) in the garden are a great idea, but sometimes not realistic or accessible. Un-capped stakes can be a threat to the eyes and are a puncture hazard for often-unsteady toddlers. If capping the stake isn’t an option, make sure stakes are taller than your child’s height, and secured in the ground.
5. GARDEN TOOLS
Keep all tools safely away from kids. Kid-sized tools are best for toddlers through adolescence, with adult-sized tools being introduced to teenagers. Make sure all sharp pruners, scissors, and loppers are stored above where kids can reach, both on their own and with a step stool. Make sure not to leave tools lying on the ground or the edges of a workbench. Kids should be supervised while gardening, especially while using gardening tools. Even hand trowels can be sharp when vigorously digging.
6. USE MANURE AND SOIL SAFELY
Fresh raw manure should never be used in a garden with kids and should be avoided altogether. Aged manure is safer, but could still contain organisms unsafe for toddlers to handle. If you must use manure, try a commercially composted (not one cured in home compost) type which claims to be pathogen-free. As an extra precaution, use manure sparingly (or not at all) and only after the last fall crops have been harvested and at least 3-4 months (overwinter) before spring planting. Soil companies are generally very responsive to questions about ingredient safety.
This is just a basic list. While it’s tempting to let kids garden alone, it is very important they be supervised by an adult.