Chapter 2 – How to manage your garden

Health and Safety

When gardening with children, it is very important to consider the safety of everyone involved. You should not be worried about getting out into the garden with young children. It’s a great opportunity for children to learn and have fun, as long as some basic health and safety measures are taken into consideration.

• Even before going out into the garden, establish some basic ground rules with the children. Also ensure that you have the correct adult to child ratio for the delivery of outdoor activities.
• Ensure children have clothing appropriate to the weather conditions, especially wellies, waterproofs and warm clothes. Think about protection from the sun too with sun cream and hats.
• Select the correct-sized tool for the child. Avoid the use of sharp and / or mechanical items.
• Provide safe storage for equipment and tools.
• Do not use chemicals. Garden organically whenever possible.
• Do not leave water storage containers unattended around very young children and toddlers.

• Provide hand-washing facilities, through the use of the use of liquid soap, warm water, and paper towels. There are some risks associated with soil mainly bacteria arising from animal faeces, so ensure children always wash their hands when they are finished and always before eating and drinking. You also need somewhere to wash mud from wellies, tools and equipment too.