Allotments 4 All

Can anyone give us advice about anything we shouldn't grow in our school patch?  Thinking about whole plants or bits of plants that could cause problems in a school setting where the kids will have access all the time.

Don't know whether you're referring to veg or other plants, but steer clear of eurphorbia and rue as their sap can be very nasty. I found out about rue to my cost, and ended up with a blistered leg! :(

Good luck with the plot.

Hope that this helps

http://www.rhs.org.uk/research/documents/c_and_e_harmful.pdf

Don't let paranoia rule your life. Education is the key.

To be safe, stay away from runner beans, potato, tomato's, capsicums, peppers, aubergines, onions, garlic, leeks, carrots, lettuce, most herbs and most flowers. All can produce toxic or allergic reactions.

Oh dear.

courgettes and pumpkins break me out in major rash and lumps and bumps - can still eat the produce though... just have to suffer with the harvesting andpreparing.

Hello Hopeful, I have a list at work of plants to keep kids away from (i work in a childrens centre) - will forward it onto you tomorrow eve if that is ok? We were given the list by our 1st aid trainer, so hope its of some help to you!

Eristic, you forgot to mention the beds themselves.  If they have any form of edgings (such as gravel boards or edging stones) a child could trip and break an arm, if you don`t have edging stones mud could fall onto the paths and make them dangerous, a wet leaf falling onto the path could cause a running child to skid and break an arm, and suppose bees or wasps are attracted in numbers to the plants.  The compensation claims could be horrendous.

I would get a quote for the insurance premium first and see whether there`s any funding at all left over for plants.

And we haven't even mentioned the soil which is cram packed full of fungi, bacteria, virii, chemical and other toxins. Staying alive is a dangerous business.

I've been a bit flippant on a serious topic but the old-fashioned dogmas of common sense and discipline should rule the day. Education is the key.

Walk, don't run.
Stand up straight. Hands out of pockets.
Bend knees, not back.
Tools are not play toys and must be used and stacked safely at all times.
Plants should not even be touched until permission is granted.
Enjoy the results.
Wash hands.

Technically you are not supposed to grow tomato plants in schools because of the leaves but everybody seems to turn a blind eye to this XX

I run an allotment planting scheme at the local nursery/infant school.

I agree with Eristic - education is the key (that's what I'm there for!)

I have a HUGE laminate attached to the teaching area which shows 'Mr. Poorly Pea' and every time we end the session I re-itterate that not ALL plants can be eaten and even some of the leaves in the 'edible' garden will make you poorly, always ask a grown-up etc.

I have never worried about what I grow in my garden, the same with having a pond.  I have taught the kids about the plants, they know never to touch or eat anything if me or their dad isn't with them.  They will not trust anyone else, not even their grandparents.  They know that the laurel bushes along the front of the school are poisonous, and they tell their mates, and they all leave them alone.  We all wrap our babies up in cotton wool, I am a terrible offender of this, but I believe that they have to learn about the great outdoors and how great it is!

I grew-up in the country surrounded by just about every type of plant you name....All of a sudden I wonder how I managed to survive..Probably the same way my kids and 11 G'kids are doing it! Paranoa, worrying about eating the wrong thing and panic probably killed more kids than poisonous plants.

QuoteI agree with Eristic -

Is that allowed? 8)

hi there - have just checked with some colleagues, and the list that we use comes from this link   

http://www.realgardeners.co.uk/goodbadpois/poisonous_plants.htm

hope it helps somewhat!

Thanks all!   :)

Some very useful info and links there.