10 Must Know Gardening Safety Tips For Beginner Gardeners

This post is all about gardening safety tips beginner gardeners should know.

If you are a beginner gardener you may be dreaming up your garden design, all of the yummy recipes you’ll be making with your fresh produce, and the relaxation that this meditative hobby can bring. 

I do want to quickly interject that daydream to cover a few important safety tips you should know about staying safe while gardening! 

I grew up on a small hobby farm and then spent a few years working on different organic farms all over the world. 

No matter where I was, all of these safety tips were in the back of my mind.

 Unfortunately, some of these I learned from trial and error which is why I am so glad you’re here to learn from my mistakes! 

Get ready for a full list of the most common gardening mistakes from beginners and how to keep yourself safe while enjoying this life-changing hobby! 

Important Gardening Safety Tips

The number one thing you can do to protect yourself while gardening (and feel comfortable!) is choosing the right clothes for the tasks you are doing. 

If you are organizing your seed collection or simply watering your plants your outfit will need to be drastically different than if you are clearing out a new area to put grow beds.

1. Thick gardening gloves

Keep your hands safe from cuts, blisters, bugs and accidentally touching harmful chemicals and plants.

Make sure they are a sturdy pair of gloves that won’t tear easily and that they fit your hands properly. 

2. Sun protection like a wide-brim hat, sunscreen, and shade

Whether you are gardening inside a greenhouse in winter or spending long summer days in the sun you need to consider how powerful the sun is.

A wide-brim hat that covers your neck is a must. Sunglasses and sunscreen (don’t forget to reapply!) are crucial too.

Not only does this protect your skin but it keeps you comfortable to be able to garden for longer if you wish.

*Don’t forget to take occasional breaks in the shade! 

3. Long sleeves always

Even if it is the middle of summer, I’m wearing a long-sleeved shirt. A flowy one of course!

Not only does it keep you sort of clean and acts as another barrier to the sun, you can save yourself from itchy plants, thorns, or slight accidents with gardening tools. 

{RECOMMENDED POST: 11 Practical Tips For How to Organize Seeds The Right Way}

4. Wear comfortable and sturdy shoes and long socks 

Essentially make sure you’re covered from head to toe!

Close-toed shoes ensure your feet are safe from any heavy gardening tools or supplies you may drop aka pots, shovels, or machinery.

Also if you don’t want pesky bugs to crawl up your pants throw on some long socks! 

5. Prepare like you would for a workout class 

If you go to a workout class the instructor will probably start you off with some kind of warm-up. Gardening may seem like a leisurely activity but when you look closer you notice that it can mimic a workout class. 

You get cardio from walking around and then there is plenty of digging, bedding, and lifting that can tire out your muscles. 

• Do some light stretching before and after (your knees and back go through a lot when gardening!) 
• Like I mentioned before, don’t be afraid to take breaks in the shade and drink plenty of water. Or one of these healthy and energizing drinks (:

6. Stay hydrated while gardening

No, matter the season, keep yourself hydrated.

As you water your plants, don’t forget to water yourself.

I prefer a stainless steel water bottle as it keeps my water super cold but really any bottle will do. That way you don’t have to rely on sipping hose water as you garden. 

7. Be mindful of chemicals

Personally, I go organic all the way. If you find yourself on a farm that uses chemicals (like herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers) keep these things in mind: 

• Read the instructions thoroughly and don’t be afraid to ask for help. If chemicals get mixed up or are not applied correctly it could harm you, the plants, or animals that are around. 
• Don’t spray on windy or rainy days. You don’t want the chemicals flying up into your face or splashing onto your skin. 

*Try to use organic or natural products when possible. Then you have less to worry about when it comes to safety.

8. Give bugs and critters their space

Technically, when we go outside we are entering the home of bugs and animals.

Of course, they can make growing an abundant garden challenging but try your best to be respectful. All animals play an important part in keeping our ecological system steady. 

Here’s what you can do to protect yourself: 

• Wear bug repellant. Getting itchy mosquito bites is no fun while gardening.
• Keep an eye out for wasps and bees. If you see a nest, steer clear of it. 
• Use common sense. If you see a bug, snake, wildlife, or reptile that you’ve never seen before don’t attempt to introduce yourself. If needed use your phone camera to zoom in, snap a photo, and identify it later. 
• Check your body and clothes for ticks or other bugs. Be sure to shake them off or remove them from your skin carefully. 

8. Lift correctly when gardening to protect your back

If you injure you’re back you will have to take time off from gardening 🙁

Avoid that by following these tips to lift heavy pots, soil bags, and heavy rocks the right way. 

• Squat at your knees and use the strength of your legs rather than straining your back. 
• Use a wheelbarrow to move around heavy objects. Humans created gardening tools for a reason! 
• Ask for help and take breaks. The weight of something is halved when you phone a friend. Don’t over-strain your body. If you’re tired take a rest. 

{RECOMMENDED POST: 20 Best Plants For Hydroponics Beginner Gardeners }

9. Identify common poisonous plants in your area and steer clear of them

Some plants can give you a stomach ache if ingested, others will leave you with a rash and of course, there are much worse fates with certain plants. 

Make sure you know what plants in your specific region are harmful. 

If you are gardening with kids or have pets around it is especially important to be proactive with educating them about harmful plants or keeping them away. 

*also in this category we can throw in allergies! Keep yourself comfortable from pollen by wearing a mask, not gardening on windy days, and remembering to take the allergy medication you need. 

10. Take good care of your gardening tools so they’re safe to use

Gardening tools are unfortunately where many gardening accidents happen.

Keep these things in mind to protect yourself: 

• Keep your tools sharp and clean. If your tools are dull then it takes more force to use them properly. Other than sharpening them regularly, be sure to rinse them off and dry them completely. Rusty tools aren’t good either!
• Learn which tools work best for each job. Aside from smaller tools making a task take longer, they can cause injuries. Tools are meant to help, not hurt or slow us down.
• Store your tools properly. Keep tools up and out of the way while you are gardening and when you’re done. We have all seen in cartoons where someone will step on a shovel and get bonked in the face. 
• Be mindful of your fingers and toes. These are the common areas that get injured when you’re sidetracked and using shears, hand saws, etc. 

{RECOMMENDED POST: 4 Surprising Foods You Can Regrow From Kitchen Scraps}

11. Know where your first aid kit is and make it easily accessible and organized 

Even after researching and preparing for any gardening you do, accidents do happen. 

Make sure you have a simple first aid kit in your gardening shed when needed. 

Gardening First Aid Kit Checklist: 

• Bandages and wipes for scapes and cuts.
• Tweezers for splinters and ticks 
• Extra sunscreen 
• Bug spray 
• Aloe vera gel for irritated skin
• A sturdy container to keep it all organized and protected from the elements if you store it outside. Humidity can mess with the adhesive on bandages and the efficacy of products. 

Gardening safety rules

As you care for your plants, don’t forget to care for yourself as well.

Gardening injuries will keep you away from your garden and missing all of the wonderful benefits that it brings!

With a blend of common sense and research, you can ensure your gardening days are injury-free and comfortable.

Stay safe and happy gardening!

Have any other gardening safety tips? Let us know in the comments below! I’m sure others in the community would love to learn from you as well.

Stay well, 

Maggie

This post was all about gardening safety tips.

Other gardening posts you may like: 

7 Lush Full Sun Plants for Front Porch Hanging Baskets, Containers and Window boxes 

23 Beginner-Friendly Terrace Gardening Ideas For Your Cozy Apartment

Exactly How to Compost in Your Dorm Room or Apartment

7 Best Hanging Plants for Your Shaded Porch To Create a Charming Oasis

If you would like to save this gardening safety tips post for later-pin it!