Gardening safely, getting ready for Winter

Now that the leaves are turning brown and the weather has started to get colder, it’s time for gardeners to begin preparing for the winter and to pack up the equipment they use over the summer months.

We know that people experience mental health benefits from being out in greenspace and are keen to encourage those who can to be active in their gardens and allotments. However, we’d like people to enjoy gardening safely.

Gardeners, especially those who are older, should take precautions against Legionnaires’ disease, which is a severe form of pneumonia caused by legionella bacteria. A specific type of legionella can be found in potting compost and other composted materials that, on rare occasions, may result in infection.

Handling compost

Care should be taken when working with compost, by:

• not standing over the bag to avoid breathing in any bacteria that escapes
• wearing gloves and washing hands after handling compost
• avoid eating and drinking while handling compost

Storing compost

Compost should be stored in a dry environment away from direct sunlight. When compost heats up it can cause legionella bacteria to multiply. For this reason, gardeners should also avoid storing compost in greenhouses.

People should make sure that any sheds or outhouses where they’re using compost are well ventilated – leaving the door or windows open when you start using the compost again is advised. This can help minimise any risk of infection.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease can include a cough, difficulty breathing, chest pain, and a high temperature, often accompanied by vomiting and diarrhoea, and, in some cases, confusion. Anyone experiencing symptoms should call NHS 24 on 111 or contact their GP.

Only a small number of people go on to develop symptoms, but older people, those who smoke and those with underlying medical conditions are at higher risk.

Read the annual report on Legionnaires' disease in Scotland for 2023 here.