| Over the 2025 Christmas period, I was quite unwell due to a back injury I had sustained while working in a garden. It wasn’t the first time I’d slipped, tripped, or been caught out by something that had been left in place — not through neglect, but because the garden owner had grown used to it. Over time, people adapt to their own spaces. They learn where the ground dips, which slab moves, what to step over, and what to avoid. What feels familiar and “out of the way” to the owner can be very different for someone else entering the garden to work. Those areas may rarely be walked by the homeowner, but they’re often exactly where gardeners, window cleaners, or other tradespeople need to be — carrying tools, moving equipment, and working at awkward angles. That’s when hidden hazards become apparent. This experience was a sharp reminder that gardens, while calming and life-giving, can also be quietly perilous spaces — and that regular maintenance isn’t just about how a garden looks, but how safely it functions for everyone who uses it. |
| Why do everyday outdoor spaces need more care than most people realise Gardens are widely thought of as places of calm. They’re where we slow down, breathe more deeply, and reconnect with nature. Because of that, they’re rarely seen as risky environments. Yet as someone who works in gardens day in, day out, I can say with confidence that they are some of the most quietly perilous spaces people move through — not because they’re neglected or badly designed, but because change happens gradually, and familiarity hides danger. Most garden accidents don’t come from dramatic failures. They come from small things that have been there “for ages”. |
| Familiar spaces don’t feel dangerous — until they are Garden owners walk the same routes repeatedly. They know where the ground dips, which slab moves slightly, and which branch to duck under. Their bodies adapt unconsciously. As a gardener, I don’t have that muscle memory. I arrive carrying tools, pushing wheelbarrows, stepping backwards while pruning, working at awkward angles, and moving through spaces that weren’t designed for regular physical work. That’s when hidden risks reveal themselves. What feels normal to the person who lives there can be hazardous to everyone else who enters the space. The most common hazards I encounter Uneven ground and trip points Ground shifts. Roots expand. Lawns compact. Paving moves. Lifted slabs, sunken paths, loose steps, and eroded lawn edges are incredibly common. Individually, they don’t look serious — but they’re responsible for countless trips and near-falls. Add damp weather, poor light, or someone carrying equipment, and the risk multiplies. Slippery surfaces Moss, algae, wet leaves, compost spills, and general organic build-up create slick surfaces that catch people out year-round. Patios, decking, and steps are especially hazardous in shaded or north-facing gardens. I’ve seen people slip in summer rain because surfaces were never properly cleared after winter. Slippery doesn’t always look slippery. Overgrowth that intrudes into the working space Plants don’t respect boundaries. Shrubs creep into paths. Climbers thicken. Brambles and thorny plants advance quietly. Over time, this leads to: Branches at eye height Narrowed walkways Thorns brushing skin and clothing Reduced visibility of steps and edges These changes happen so slowly that many garden owners simply stop noticing them. Unstable or ageing structures Fences, sheds, pergolas, trellises, and gates often look fine — until pressure is applied. Rotting posts, loose fixings, and top-heavy climbers can cause sudden collapses. I regularly come across structures that are one strong push away from failure, simply because they haven’t been checked in years. Why garden owners rarely spot the risk The issue isn’t carelessness. It’s time. Gardens evolve continuously: Growth thickens incrementally Wear happens in small stages. Weather damage isn’t always obvious. Minor issues don’t feel urgent. When you live with these changes, they blend into the background. When you work in gardens professionally, they stand out immediately. Maintenance is not about appearances. One of the biggest misconceptions I encounter is that garden maintenance is primarily cosmetic — about tidiness, neat edges, and visual order. In reality, maintenance is preventative care. Regular attention: Keeps walkways predictable underfoot Stops growth from becoming obstructive Reduces slip and trip hazards Identifies failing structures early Makes gardens safer for everyone who enters them A tidy garden is often a safer garden — but safety is the real benefit, not aesthetics. Gardens are shared spaces, even when they’re private Even the most private garden is used by more than one person over time: Gardeners Window cleaners Tree surgeons Carers Delivery drivers Friends and family A garden that is safe for its owner may be hazardous to others — particularly those unfamiliar with its quirks or layout. This is something I see repeatedly, and it’s why a professional perspective can be so valuable. A fresh pair of eyes makes risk visible. One of the least talked-about benefits of a professional gardener is objectivity. We notice: Where footing feels uncertain Where access is awkward Where growth creates blind spots Where time has quietly changed things Often, clients are surprised by the things we flag — not because they’re careless, but because familiarity has softened their awareness. A garden should support life, not trip it up. Gardens are living systems. Left entirely unchecked, they don’t just become wilder — they become less predictable. Thoughtful, ongoing maintenance keeps outdoor spaces: Functional Accessible Safer to move through Easier to work in More enjoyable year-round The most dangerous gardens aren’t the dramatic ones. They’re the familiar ones where risk has slowly blended into everyday life. A gentle closing thought Garden maintenance isn’t about control. It’s about care — for the space, for the people who use it, and for those who work within it. Sometimes, the most valuable thing maintenance provides isn’t a neater garden — it’s peace of mind. And often, it’s only when something goes wrong that people realise how much quiet attention their garden really needs. If you’ve not looked at your garden through fresh eyes for a while, regular maintenance can help spot and reduce risks before they become problems — keeping your outdoor space calm, usable, and safe in every season. |
Earthly Comforts 
For a clumsy person like me, falling and slipping in a garden is very likely.
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It’s a known fact that many people fall at one point or another in their gardens .
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Been there more than once.
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Hahaha, ditto 🙂
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😅😅😅
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This is very helpful, Rory. Awareness is important in anything we do.
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Very much so Eugenia.
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😊
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