Dangerous? Only if he gets the sap on his skin … it happened to me as a child and i was sore for days.
I’d tried to do some ‘gardening’ and pulled it up and got the sap on my arms and legs on a bright sunny day 😢 But in previous years I’d not touched it and of course I’d not suffered and neither did the other children in the family.
So dangerous? Only if he’s interested in being a gardener. 😉
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
TBH If it was me I’d explain that it’s a plant that’s attractive and good for insects BUT that if he touched the sap/juice inside it could make him very sore … like stinging nettles but a bit worse. It’s the sap inside that can burn .., it can’t harm by touching the leaves as stinging nettles or Giant Hogweed can. Just gently brushing against it is ok.
And we have to remember there’s all sorts of risks in the garden … it’s adults’ responsibilities teach children about the world and how to keep themselves safe as they grow up. Like learning not to touch the oven etc.
Of course, if a child had a learning disability that would be different and I’d remove it .., but most four and five year olds can learn simple things like that … not running into the road, don’t touch sharp knives etc.
Thats how I brought my children up … we lived where there were deep ponds, farm machinery, big animals, woodlands, fields … all sorts of dangers. We explained and gave them rules and supervised them until we knew they could be trusted to obey the rules.
Only you know your child and how closely he will be supervised in the front garden … so it’s up to you to make your decision.
In the event that someone should get the sap on their skin the advice is to stay out of strong sunlight and wash it off with soap and milk which works better than water as the sap congeals in water. If the skin blisters ring NHS 111. If any gets in the eyes seek medical attention promptly.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
@steve.jordan596saFeyS4 I have watched children pull at plants in a garden whilst other children would take no interest at all. Val Bourne talks about having friends for dinner, but just before got the sap in her eye ,no dinner party straight to a and e.
I do agree that teaching children about garden safety and plants is important. That is how they become interested in gardening too. A wigwam of runner beans can be alot of fun for a three year old and a way to get them to eat veg [something I well remember doing].
I helped in a garden where a child exclaimed' look at that cucumber' it was a courgette More alarming 'look at those tiny green tomatoes' it was nightshade which was quickly cleared away.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Of course, if a child had a learning disability that would be different and I’d remove it .., but most four and five year olds can learn simple things like that … not running into the road, don’t touch sharp knives etc.
Thats how I brought my children up … we lived where there were deep ponds, farm machinery, big animals, woodlands, fields … all sorts of dangers. We explained and gave them rules and supervised them until we knew they could be trusted to obey the rules.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I do agree that teaching children about garden safety and plants is important. That is how they become interested in gardening too. A wigwam of runner beans can be alot of fun for a three year old and a way to get them to eat veg [something I well remember doing].
I helped in a garden where a child exclaimed' look at that cucumber' it was a courgette More alarming 'look at those tiny green tomatoes' it was nightshade which was quickly cleared away.