How to Be Safe in the Garden (21 Tips)

Garden safety is often an oversight until gardeners injure themselves. While inherently safe, there are risks associated with gardening. There are many actions gardeners can take that are easy and simple to stay safe. Your safety in the garden is a great goal. (Video #268)
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[@kmiller6002]

I also wanted to say THANK YOU for responding to your followers 😁😁😁😁

[@azizzirama7124]

I like wide hats that shade as much skin as possible, like sombreros or Asian rice hats.

[@ecologytoday]

Today was the first sunny gardening day. My wide-brimmed garden hat came out to the raised beds with me. As we age, it is also important to set reasonable limits on what we are able to do. Wisdom or experience will hopefully lead to better protecting ourselves.

[@goatgal7884]

Wise words Jay.I learned the hard way.I'm 60+, pulled a ligament completely off my shoulder two years ago.In some people they became thin as we age.I also have become sensitive to the sun.So, now I don't lift like I used to and wear hats and sunscreen.

[@DebRoo11]

Every year it gets harder to get up from my knees and I ache a little more

[@gardnersteve6716]

another fantastic video my friend keep them coming

[@NashvilleMonkey1000]

We have a couple knee pads around in case we have to pray to any of the garden gods, especially in the summer when we have shorts and where the ground is baked into clumps. Oh, there are chemicals in skin care products that are exactly as bad as the sun exposure, so take care~ I'll put any glass, metal, or plastic from the dirt into my pocket while gardening and throw it away inside, and crumble up any large pieces of eggshell that can cut as well. We have in-ground garden beds so we're less likely to trip on all those wooden sides.

[@deecooper1567]

You are so right on all counts... I just have bad habits lol 😝 Tank top, shorts, flip flops 🩴 or barefoot & hands on.. love the feel of dirt. I DO have my cell & bottle of water tho. And do take short breaks in the greenhouse where it’s cool. In Northern Nevada I have a swamp cooler so seedlings don’t fry 😖 Have a great day🧤🍅🩴 And listen to Gardener Scott.... he knows best👍👍🥰

[@michellereber6816]

Noticed the mailbox in your garden. I put one in mine and I love it! So many things ready at hand. Pruners, gloves etc. I often have a three-year-old grandson as my garden buddy and it’s nice to keep things safe from him. Or him safe from them!

[@jean-eriksylvain7659]

Wise advices! I suggest a few other safety tips: remove, cover or cut any object that are at eye level like small wires coming out of trellis, or zip ties, and keep pathways clear of hose and tools. Thank you Scott, you really make a difference improving pleasure with gardening!

[@GardenerScott]

Those are good tips too. Thanks.

[@takeitslowhomestead5218]

Thank you for this important information!

[@susanneb9786]

You look good in your hat, just wear it in all of your videos!

[@MichaelJosephJr934]

Thank You!

[@elizabethfisher4536]

Thanks for the video! I needed a reminder to wear my steel toes and I also ordered a back brace. I have a herniated disk, so I really should have been using one already!

[@eklectiktoni]

Very important tips! Thanks.

[@09echols]

Great tips thank you

[@ejfishes7610]

Great video. My hat also has a flap that covers over my ears & back of my neck for extra sun protection (in addition to putting on sun screen).

[@GardenerScott]

That's a good idea.

[@Rainman97x]

What a day to watch this, with a sunburn on my neck and a bandaid on my finger. I used to be a safety officer, but even experts can make mistakes, so an occasional reminder is helpful.

[@juliepizzolato1911]

Timely...as I just today accidently spritzed my anemone corms with my household vinegar...🤯😥 Hopefully it won't kill them. Live and learn! Loving all you share from North Idaho zone 6a 💚🌻🌿

[@patriciarobitschek2820]

You left out falls! I tripped over a planter yesterday and hurt my back, knee, wrist and elbow! I'm going to be better about keeping my oaths clear.

[@GardenerScott]

You're right. There were a few others I left out and tripping hazards was one of them.

[@demesrvl6761]

@Patricia Robitschek. I know you meant "paths", but when I fall, I sometimes mutter a few "oaths" myself, and going forward, I will also make them clear, lol! There is a short sprinkler riser very near the hose bib I use most of the time. As I back up with a freshly-filled bucket or jug of water, I've tripped on that darned thing more times than I can count!!

[@flash_flood_area]

Also, be careful of cactus and agave! I've gotten cactus spines that were really persistent. My friend got stabbed in the hand when dealing with a large agave - it was very painful for days, and his band missed a music gig.

[@GardenerScott]

Good tip. Thanks.

[@boknowsmortgage]

How do you feel about treated lumber use in building raised beds? I have some raised beds I was given made from old treated lumber. Do you recommend lining it with plastic on the sides?

[@GardenerScott]

I use treated lumber as the base layer of most of my beds. The copper-based chemicals don't have the harmful effects of those used years ago. I don't recommend lining it with plastic because the plastic can hold moisture next to the wood accelerating it breaking down.

[@ghendar]

You mean gardening naked in strong sun with no sun block while juggling chainsaws or running with scissors is bad?

[@heather482]

Naa your fine.

[@livenotonevil8279]

According to the neighbors, yes.

[@DebRoo11]

How many appendages does one really need.

[@iwenive3390]

I garden in flip flops and boxers.

[@holzmann8443]

Based.

[@heather482]

Me too lol.

[@FloridaGirl-]

👍

[@Neldidellavittoria]

Great tips, all of them. Gloves are also great when you're handling the soil. If you do a lot of it with bare hands your skin ends up as rough as sandpaper.

[@KatBurnsKASHKA]

My gardening uniform looks the same! The mask helps with dust and pollen in the early spring, and gloves are a must. I swear, every time I don't use gloves cos I get too keen I get a splinter or grab glass. MY garden is so full of old broken glass from the 1800s. And yes - sunscreen and covering up is very important to me!

[@dexmor3995]

Thank you for doing these videos. Much appreciated.

[@amysnipes4245]

80°+ here now. Sunscreen and a hat are my friends. I got a large men's shirt at Goodwill to wear over a tank top. I cut off the collar and cuffs. Does a great job.

[@VideoconferencingUSA]

I’m using my iPhone X to watch this video and when you point to some other videos nothing appears. Also, add insect netting for your hat as a safety item. Here in south Florida it possible to get some nasty diseases such as Malaria Dungee fever and many others. A few months ago I got my first tick and it was most likely because was wearing shorts which I almost never do.

[@flash_flood_area]

Watching this after being sidelined for over a week with a strained shoulder, from lifting a 15 gallon sapling.

[@frankbarnwell____]

All with you on the closed toe shoes. Have split a toe open badly on a sharp wood corners.

[@norseknowhow]

Yet another great video! Thank you for the nice tips! It felt very personal when I heard about the accident in your garden. It reminds us how much hard work lies behind the food on our table.

[@maggiemanzke7926]

Great public service information, and I'm so glad you made this video. Thanks, Gardener Scott!

[@davemeeks8109]

Did I miss the part about checking yourself for ticks as needed after springtime gardening. We have 2 types that thrive here and you don't need what they have to offer.

[@dodopson3211]

Yes, this is so important. The amount of ticks I've flushed down the toilet already is sickening 😳 also check any pets that play in the garden.

[@GardenerScott]

Good point. I didn't mention it, but that's a good reason to shed your clothes and shower afterward, to check for ticks and other insects.

[@arndpelzer1227]

Valuable tips and information, which we actually should know already. Unfortunately ...

[@citronquartz2779]

came to this video today because i have a fungal infection on my hands that i suspect is from gardening without gloves. a lot of fungal infections can be spread through contact with soil. i should really use gloves, because washing my hands isn't enough protection.

[@mommajscountrygardening]

Very good information. Thank you for sharing

[@TebowToHarvin]

Great video! Everything I learned about power tools, I learned from Tim "The Tool-Man" Taylor. I hope I'm good there.

[@stephenhope7319]

After 40 years in the Union Sheet Metal industry I can agree with all the ppe. I preferred earplugs to muffs, ears sweat less and with ear plugs you can wear a hard hat easier. But if you were doing your gardening in my town, Sacramento, Ca you would also need to wear an ice pack strapped to your back !!:) Cool now, but will be 110F before we know it.

[@stepfanieyork3511]

Our weed eater isn't very good and I used it for the first time last week without realizing how loud it was. I couldn't hear out of my left ear for a bit and had ringing for 2 days. I won't be making that mistake again.

[@roccoconte2960]

Good ideas Scott your right about all you mentioned , i think of the garden as a safe place all you said applies for everything outside .

[@DanKoerner]

Gardener Scott looking out for all of us XD

[@patriciarobitschek2820]

Paths not oaths😁

[@Neldidellavittoria]

I was wondering what you meant, hahah! Tip: if you click on the three little dots on the right side of your message you get the option to edit it.

[@katieanneozarkhollowhomestead]

I’m with you on wearing protection when using power tools, fencing etc, but regular gardening its flip flops, capris and t-shirts for me. I like capris because I can feel if a tick is crawling up my leg and brush it off. I often leave my phone inside, its so nice to just enjoy the peace of the garden without notifications and phone calls.

[@Gkrissy]

Good video, I had on no sleeves in the garden this morning and I need to use bug spray. Something bite me and it caused minor swelling. Good tips, on resting when you are tired.

[@lollabells6121]

These are excellent tips! I have chronic autoimmune illnesses, I have found gardening to be one of the best medicines! With my immune system & pain I have to take extra precautions so I can continue to enjoy myself outside. Proper shoes, gloves & clothing are SO IMPORTANT, as well as any back, wrist or other assistive devices- for example I often use my cane outside with me, ESPECIALLY getting up & down or on uneven ground. I fell last year & it took me out for almost a month! One thing I also have on hand is a little first aid kit, we live on a fairly large property & don’t always get the best cell service. This last Christmas my family got me a cart I can put my gardening tools, shovels & even buckets in & it has a place for water, this is where I have my first aid kit. The cart has made my gardening so much easier, I can put what I need on it and go. I also have some tools that are ergonomic, now this might not be for everyone, but I have neuropathy so when I am pruning or a bigger job these tools have helped my hands tremendously! I always have a small bug spray with me & spray before I go out, and take off my clothes when I come in & rinse off in the shower. You are right about pollens & other allergens that come in with you. We don’t use any chemicals on our lawn or garden either, the last few years we really have gone with exactly what is in our ground already! We mulch with the leave that fall, we do compost & we try to use as much of our natural resources in our gardens as possible. Our gardens look fantastic! I believe that gardening should be natural as possible, this is my own personal opinion of course. Truthfully we only really started doing it this way when I got really sick, & once we stopped using any chemicals, sprays my headaches & rashes disappeared and many of our shrubs bloomed like they never had before! So it has definitely been a win! Thank you again for these tips! They are excellent!

[@kmiller6002]

Great video as Always Gardener Scott Thank You for sharing your knowledge and experience with us 💯. Everyone stay safe and God Bless you and your family from middle GA 🙏 Kendra

[@יעקבכהן-כ8י]

The safest way to be healthy is to buy the fruits and vegetables at the supermarket, and let the others do the dirty and hard work

[@brock5925]

Best sunscreen has zinc in it.

[@articmars1]

Dear Mr Scott. I work in a big box nursery. Would it be ok with you if i pass your tips on to my customers?

[@GardenerScott]

Absolutely! Thanks for asking.

[@ericawentz2734]

Wow, tetanus shot!! Thank you for your detailed thoroughness, Gardener Scott! As a mother, doctor and avid gardener, I have deep respect for the work you are doing and for your effort to spread the word on safety. Your experience speaks volumes. Keep up the good work and stay healthy!

[@heidiclark6612]

Thank You for always having great videos on being safe in the garden. Because of you bringing awareness to skin cancer, I bought a new long sleeved shirt that has a PFG of 50. Also a new wide brim hat that has a flap that protects my neck. I bought a cheap umbrella that when it gets hot I can use it to garden under. I am like you when I am gardening and should stop but do more because I just want to get the job done.My husband comes out and makes sure that I have my hat on.