Throughout their growing years children are learning the rules of life. This applies just as much to gardening as to any other activity.
Some common sense rules:
Don’t touch anything in someone else’s garden unless you have their permission.
Never eat anything in the garden unless you know it is okay.
Ask before you pick flowers.
Wear sunscreen and a hat as a routine when you are outside in the garden.
Wear gloves when handling soil or potting soil, when moving anything rough or sharp, or working where spiders may lurk.
Wear boots or solid footwear. Just remember to always check inside boots before putting them on, especially if they have been stored outdoors.
Garden in suitable old clothes.
Wash hands well after handling potting soil, soil or compost.
Beware of poisonous plants
Some common garden plants are poisonous and their planting should, if possible, be avoided in kids’ gardens. This list is by no means exhaustive, but the inclusion of so many commonly grown plants serves to reinforce how important it is that children are taught never to eat anything in the garden unless they know it is safe. All parts of the following plants are poisonous:
Agapanthus
Caladium – coloured-leaf indoor plant
Brugmansia – Angel’s Trumpet
Delphiniums
Foxgloves
Helleborus species – also known as Christmas Roses
Lily of the valley
Lobelia
Rhododendrons and Azaleas
Thevetia peruviana – known as Yellow Oleander or Be-still Tree
The leaves of the following plants are poisonous:
Box (Buxus spp)
Calendula
Elephant’s Ears
Rhubarb
Tomato
The flowers of the arum lily are poisonous.
The milky sap of the following is poisonous:
Frangipani
Oleander
Poinsettia
The fruits and seeds of the following are poisonous:
Cestrum nocturnum – night-scented Jessamine
Clivias
Cycads
Duranta – Pigeon Berry
Laburnum
Melia azederach – White Cedar
Moreton Bay chestnut – Black Bean
Peppercorn tree
Privet
Sweet peas
Wisteria
Yew
These tubers and bulbs are poisonous:
Daffodils
Gloriosa Lily
Hyacinth bulbs
Who to call in the event of a poisoning
Red Cross Children’s Hospital Poison Info Centre (021) 689 5227
Tygerberg Poison Info Centre (021) 931 6129
Netcare Poison Centre 0800 333 444 (toll free)
Orange Free State University Poison Centre (051) 401 3111
Also, see our chapter on Poisoning
Quick tips:
If it is not a food plant, do not eat it.
Teach children not to play with or eat growing plants.
Use gloves when pruning or weeding and keep skin covered.
Do not leave prunings or uprooted plants in reach of farm animals or pets.
Check plant labels for toxicity warnings (sometimes stated on label).
You can review our First Aid section which provides a basic overview of First Aid procedures.
For more information see Gardening with kids or Parenting.
