Stay safe during fall garden cleanup

Wherever you are in your garden journey for this year—cleaning out plants that have exhausted their useful life, planting fall crops, or tidying flower beds and wildflower areas to be ready for next year—it’s important when working in the garden to be mindful of one of the most important basics: Garden safety. 

During a recent Learning on Wednesday presentation at Kimberling Area Library, Master Gardener Lisa Gibbs drew from both her garden experience and her years as a safety professional in the workplace to present an informative presentation about three main elements to consider: 

• Hazards, including objects in the environment or potential human error; 

• Risk: the potential for accidents due to those hazards; 

• Mitigation: What can be done to reduce risk. 

Based on 2023 statistics, over 143,000 Americans experienced a trip to the emergency room for a garden-related injury, with the highest percentage (39%) being from falls. Other causes included being struck by a falling or protruding object, ergonomics such as reaching or lifting, allergic reactions and more. Gibbs shared ruefully about her own “FOOSH” (falling on outstretched hand) incident resulting from poor technique moving a heavy planter, and attendees admitted to recognizing themselves in some of the “don’t do this” pictures. The guilty included this writer, who that very morning had reached into an overgrown area, a) while leaning at a precarious angle, and b) without checking for snakes. Fortunately, the snake was a helpful variety and left without incident! 

Gibbs shared several common hazards: 

• Lack of knowledge, including failure to read labels and instructions on tools and products; 

• Distraction/lack of situational awareness; 

• Complacency (“done this hundreds of times”) 

• Fauna; 

• Lack of weather knowledge or awareness, including high heat; 

• Ergonomics: reaching/lifting technique, repetitive motion; 

• Personal health factors 

Mitigating risks can take time, but these preventive measures are well worth it: 

• Read labels and get training; 

• Maintain tools properly and keep track of where you put them;  

• Know where you’re reaching, and wear gloves; 

• Keep track of the whereabouts of kids and pets; 

• Follow recommended procedures; 

• Scan the area often for “critters”; 

• Learn to differentiate between scary critters and helpful ones. 

Bad guys among the flora and fauna in Missouri can include these: 

• Copperheads, rattlesnakes and water moccasins; 

• Black widow and brown recluse spiders; 

• Poison ivy; 

• Hemlock, the poisonous cousin to Queen Anne’s Lace 

There are excellent resources available through the University of Missouri Extension and the Missouri Department of Conservation websites to help with identification of species. 

Gibbs also reminded gardeners to dress for the weather, using a hat or sunscreen when appropriate; don’t garden if there’s lightning in the area; wear closed-toe shoes in the garden; and stay hydrated and learn the signs of heat stress. (Again, this writer: “It’ll just take a couple of minutes.” It didn’t.) 

Attendees discussed their approach to lifting properly, using tools correctly and asking for help with large jobs. Gibbs also urged a “better safe than sorry” approach for health conditions: 

A snack in the garden tool bag for a diabetic; allergy-prone gardeners carrying an EpiPen; tetanus shots up to date. 

In spite of precautions, an occasional lapse or unforeseen hazard can happen. In that event, an immediate call for help or trip to ER is in order for— 

• Bleeding that won’t stop or a wound too deep to be cleaned; 

• A venomous bite; 

• Heat stroke symptoms of clammy, pale skin or vomiting; 

• Chemical products ingested or accidentally sprayed into eyes

The presentation wrapped up with a “Swiss cheese model,” lining up multiple risks (holes) leading to disaster and photo review for attendees to identify and discuss the risks involved. All left with some great tips for improving their own yard and garden safety habits. 

Learn more about the Master Gardeners program at https://extension.missouri.edu/programs/extension-master-gardener, or visit the Master Gardeners of the Ozarks website [https://mgozarks.org] for information about training, including scholarships, and future events.