The Joy of Gardening (for Kids): Safety First

We asked gardening-education experts Whitney Cohen and John Fisher to share tips from their new guide The Book of Gardening Projects for Kids (Timber Press, May 2012). This week, Cohen and Fisher will help your kids develop their green thumbs.

Tip #1: Create a Safe Environment

Before you let your kids loose in the family garden, make sure they (and you) know what's good to eat, and what's unsafe. Here's a list of common landscaping plants that have toxic properties:

"Bleeding heart leaves and roots; daffodil, narcissus, hyacinth, and snowdrop bulbs; caladium castor bean seeds; English ivy leaves and berries; euphorbia sap; foxglove leaves and seeds; hydrangea bulbs, leaves, and branches; iris stems and rhizomes; larkspur; lily of the valley leaves and flowers; monkshood; oleander; poinsettia; rhubarb leaves; rhododendron; yew berries."

--image by Stacy Scheel

Have more ideas for keeping your garden safe? Leave a comment!