Young people should be taught the correct way to use tools and basic health and safety aspects. It is perfectly acceptable for young people to use a normal set of hand tools but make sure that the equipment is not too large or heavy for them to use safely.
Using tyres as growing containers
Garden Organic does not recommend using tyres as containers in the garden. Tyres are made for road use and have been tested for that purpose. They are not manufactured as plant containers and so no thorough trials have been done on safety in this context. Research from the USA and Australia has shown that there is the possibility of zinc contaminating the soil as tyres degrade. Experiments have also been conducted using ground rubber as part of potting media and this has resulted in plant death.
The only firm conclusion we can draw at this time is that zinc in tyres can be toxic to plants. How much zinc or other contaminants leach from tyres and at what stage of decomposition they become a hazard to plants we do not know. We also have no research to show what levels of contaminants are hazardous to humans. Our advice is that it is better to use a different material known to be safe such as untreated wood, plastic or terracotta.
Poisonous plants
Many plants in the garden may be toxic in some way and it’s important not to become overly cautious about this but take a practical view. Teach pupils not to put any plants or berries in their mouths and always check with an adult before eating any produce. Make pupils aware of any plants that could cause discomfort or injury such as stinging nettles, plants with thorns or hooks (eg roses, brambles) or sharp leaves (eg pampas grass).
Water
Never let pupils out of sight near water, whether a lake or pond. Wherever possible, fence off the area or install a steel mesh across a pond.
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