Gardening Safety Tips

Before starting your garden, you must first make sure you are dressed appropriately. Dressing appropriately for the garden means wearing long pants and shirts and making sure everything is fitted. By dressing this way you will avoid injury such as getting cut by rocks or getting your clothes stuck in a machine. Before heading into the garden you should apply bug spray and sunscreen to protect your skin from the elements. Also always remember to wear sturdy shoes, protective eye wear, heavy gloves, and hearing protection while in the garden to stay safe!

If you are using any machinery while building your garden make sure to do a sweep of your work area prior to starting up the machinery. By removing any sticks, glass, or metal that is in your work area you will decrease the chance of injury to yourself and damage to your equipment. After doing that, check your machinery to make sure the safety devices are working properly.

Most gardening takes place in the hotter months of the year, with April being the best year to start a vegetable garden. Keeping this in mind, it is important to know your limits in the heat. It is important to stay hydrated while you are out in the garden and avoid any drinks that contain large amounts of sugar. Try to take breaks often and find a shady spot in your yard to cool down before going back to your garden. If you do begin to feel any effects of the heat, such as, dizziness or nausea, you should go indoors and get back to gardening another day.

For any gardener suffering with arthritis or any other disability, you should speak with your physical therapist about any suggestions they have about gardening safely. You should also find tools that feel best in your hands and that you are able to easily grab. During the course of your gardening always remember to listen to what your body is telling you. If you feel any discomfort you should stop gardening for the day and finish your work when you are feeling better!