4 gardening safety tips that'll have you ready to dig in

Read time: 4 minutes

Spring has sprung and it’s time to get back in the garden! Whether you’re an expert or beginner gardener, health and safety should always be a priority. For a refresher on some of the basics of safe gardening, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers these tips:

1. Gear up.
From garden pests and insects, to harmful chemicals, sharp tools and UV rays, there are a few things you need to protect yourself against while gardening:

Mosquitos and ticks — Use an insect repellent containing DEET to protect yourself from diseases caused by these bugs. Wear long-sleeved shirts and tuck your pants into your socks.
Power tools and equipment — If you’re using heavy-duty machinery to garden, wear safety goggles, ear plugs, sturdy shoes and long pants.
Cuts and contaminants — Wear gardening gloves to protect your hands from cuts or skin irritations.
Harmful sun rays — Lower your risk of sunburn by wearing long sleeves, wide-brimmed hats, sun shades and sunscreen with sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher.

2. Review the directions.
Review the instructions and warning labels on lawn and garden equipment and tools, as well as chemicals.

3. Be careful in the heat.
Being outside for even short periods of time in high temperatures can cause serious health problems.

Drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks in the shade — If you start to feel short of breath or get sore muscles at any point, stop working.
Be aware of, and pay attention to, heat-related illness — Symptoms can include an extremely high body temperature, headache, rapid pulse, dizziness, nausea, confusion or unconsciousness.

4. Stay up to date on your tetanus vaccine.
It's recommended that all adults get a tetanus vaccination once every 10 years. Tetanus lives in the soil and can enter our body through cuts or breaks in the skin.

Slow your gardening pace for greater safety and enjoyment

Nancy T. is an Extension Master Gardener. A couple years ago, after a friend fell while gardening, shattering her ankle, Nancy shared her experiences with “speed gardening;” her garden’s changing landscape; and the beauty of slow, safe gardening.

Being the mother of four, I learned to do everything very quickly so I could get it all done. This spilled over into my gardening habits, as well. But it has become apparent that in my older years, “speed gardening” isn’t working for me. I once poked a stick from my Baptisia plant into my eye and scraped my cornea while I was doing some speed cleanup. After also experiencing falls and turned ankles, I knew I had to slow down.

I also made changes to make my chores lighter down the road. I dug up all 12 of my “Nearly Wild” roses so I wouldn’t have to deal with their horrible black spot every summer, and got rid of six giant grasses that had to be cut back every spring. Many beds were in a state of flux for a while.

I’ve often found myself sitting in my garden looking up at the blue sky with white cotton-ball clouds blowing by. It always reminds me of lying on the grass during my childhood, watching the sky, and I feel a profound sense of comfort and well-being. It makes me realize my garden doesn’t have to be perfect to bring joy, comfort and beauty to my life.

Enjoy the journey, and happy, slow, safe gardening!

‘Dress for success’

"My best recommendation for working in the yard with all my plants is to dress for success. I need to be wearing my sun hat and my gloves and my boots, and go for it. And have a wonderful day out there!"

— Linda G., customer

Gardening with arthritis

Is arthritis getting in the way of gardening? The Arthritis Foundation offers a few tips for working around arthritis pain.

Move up — If it hurts to bend or stoop down, bring your garden up to your level. Get a raised flowerbed or flower box.
Use joint-friendly tools — Try long-handled tools that allow you to stand instead of stoop. Use tools with easy-to-grip handles. You can also sit on a scooter wagon to avoid stooping or bending. Remember to stretch.
Be kind to your posture — Sit or stand up straight while you work, and don’t stay in one position for too long. And keep items close to your body as you carry them.
Take a break — Arthritis pain can sneak up on you if you don’t rest your joints. Take frequent breaks before pain and fatigue set in.