I'm a gardening expert and these are the five ways to stay safe outdoors

Gardening expert David Domoney gives his top tips on the precautions you need to take before heading into the garden this weekend. BE WEATHER-WISE: Spring sun might feel mild, but UV rays can be deceptive. Gardeners often spend longer outdoors than planned, so remember to wear a hat, apply SPF, and protect exposed skin.

This small effort can make a big difference to your long-term wellbeing. On wet days, pull on waterproofs and grippy footwear. Paths can quickly become slippery with moss or algae so clean them with a stiff brush or broom to prevent falls.



Cold mornings? Make sure to stretch before heavier tasks to avoid straining cold muscles. USING TOOLS THE RIGHT WAY: Good tools are a gardener’s best friend – but only when used correctly. Whether digging, raking or weeding, posture matters.

Keep your back straight and let your arms and legsdo the work. Spades and shovels: Bend your knees, keep the handle close, and choose long-handled tools for extra leverage with less effort. Ames tools have ergonomically designed handles and soft grips that help reduce strain and improve control, especially during longer gardening sessions.

Rakes: Keep one hand at the top and one at waist height, using shoulder and arm strength to sweep without over-reaching. This will help avoid straining your back, keeping it straighter. A spring-tine rake gives added grip for gathering debris.

Weeding: Use a paddedkneeler to protect your joints and position yourself close tothe task. Well-maintained tools make light work and reduce strain. Hands-on protection: Gardening gloves are a must.

Choose gloves suited to the job – ­lightweight for precision, thicker for tough tasks, and waterproof when it’s wet. Gloves not only protect against scrapes butalso offer grip and warmthwhen needed. Heads-up protection: Wear a broad-brimmed hat and slap on sunscreen when it’s hot to stop sunburn.

Watch out for low-hanging branches and protect eyes with a visor or safety goggles if you’re using a hedge trimmer, hammering or sawing. KEEP CHILDREN SAFE: Gardening is a brilliant way for children to connect with nature. Give them their own patch to care for and check it over for hidden hazards such as sharp tools or irritant plants.

Avoid distractions if there’s water or risk in the area – stay focused and engage with your little ones as they explore.Always store tools and products securely when not in use. Try crafting plant labels or painting pots together.

From sun safety to smart lifting, a little prep goes a long way in making gardening safe and enjoyable. With the right tools, mindset and approach, you can grow with confidence – and share a love of gardening with the whole family. Top Five Gardening Jobs This month brings the last chance to plant summer-flowering bulbs, including dahlias, gladioli, and lilies.

Plant in well-drained soil after frost risk has passed, or start them in pots under cover for stronger growth. These vibrant blooms will bring colour and structure to your garden all summer long. Now’s the time to pot up chilli seedlings as they outgrow their trays.

Move them into individual pots with peat-free compost, keeping them in a warm, bright spot. Regularly turn the pots to prevent leggy growth and support stems as they strengthen for planting out later in the season. Strawberries can be planted now for a sweet summer harvest.

Choose a sunny, sheltered spot with well-drained soil, or use containers, even hanging baskets. Space plants well to improve airflow, water regularly, and mulch around them to keep fruits clean and deter slugs as the season warms up. With the soil warming up, it’s a great time to sow vegetables like carrots, beetroot, lettuce, peas, and spinach directly outdoors.

Rake the soil to a fine tilth, sow seeds at the recommended depth, and keep the area moist. Use cloches or fleece to protect young seedlings from chilly nights. Trim back early-flowering shrubs like forsythia once they’ve finished blooming.

Pruning now encourages healthy growth and more flowers next spring. Remove any dead or weak stems and cut back flowering shoots to a strong bud or pair of leaves with sharp, clean bypass pruners/secateurs. This keeps the plant tidy and preventsleggy growth.

Find out more about correct pruning practices at my YouTube channel@daviddomoney. Focus Plant: Bluebells Bluebells are a beloved springtime favourite, blooming from mid-April to May with graceful, violet-blue bells that nod along arching stems. Perfect for shady borders, under trees, or naturalistic planting schemes, they’re ideal for adding seasonal charm and supporting early pollinators.

For best results, plant native British bluebell bulbs (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) in autumn. These prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil, like their woodland habitat. Avoid planting Spanish bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica), as they can hybridise with natives and threaten wild populations.

Once established, bluebells will naturalise beautifully, returning year after year with little effort. Allow foliage to die back naturally after flowering to help bulbs recharge. Whether you’re creating a woodland feel or adding pops of colour in borders, bluebells offer timeless beauty and wildlife value, making them a wonderful addition to spring gardens.

Did You Know? • Lily of the valley, nicknamed “Our Lady’s Tears” is often linked to the Virgin Mary. Legend says the flowers sprang from her tears at the crucifixion, symbolising sorrow, purity and hope. Their delicate spring bloom adds grace and meaning to shaded garden corners.

• Climbing the walls of Hildesheim Cathedral in Germany, the world’s oldest living rose is aged over 1,000 years. Still blooming each year, it’s a symbol of resilience and beauty, showing just how long roses can thrive with care and the right conditions. • Terrariums were discovered in the 1800s when botanist Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward found a fern growing in a sealed jar; this led to the creation of Wardian cases, which protected plants from pollution and inspired our indoor plant displays and miniature ecosystems.

• Terracotta has been used for over 10,000 years with ancient civilisations shaping it into storage jars, tiles and sculptures. Its porous nature allows air and moisture to circulate, making it ideal for modern plant pots that help roots breathe and prevent overwatering while adding rustic charm. I show you how to make your own terrarium on YouTube@daviddomoney.

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