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Conserve Outside |
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| Less Toxic Pest & Weed Control |
| Introduction |
| Think twice before using pesticides (weed and bug killers). These chemicals also kill beneficial garden bugs, worms, and birds, pollute our waterways and damage fish, and may harm our families' health too. Try these "natural" control methods. |
| >> Download the Natural Pest, Weed & Disease Control (pdf) guide to learn more. |
| How To's |
| In the Natural Pest, Weed & Disease Control guide you'll learn how to: |
- Start with prevention - grow healthier plants that resist pests and diseases, and lush gardens and lawns that out-compete weeds
- Identify problem pests or weeds, to find the right control method
- Give Nature a chance to work - meet the beneficial bugs that help keep your plants healthy
- Replace problem plants with pest-resistant ones
- Use the least toxic (and easiest) pest, weed, and disease controls available
- Save time and money, while growing a healthier yard!
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| Tools |
| Look in your local garden store for long-handled weed pullers (they make popping dandelions easy), weed barriers, less toxic pest control products, and pest-resistant plants. |
| Or call or e-mail the Natural Lawn & Garden Hotline (below) for more information about these products. |
| Resources |
| Natural Lawn & Garden Hotline |
| For free copies of these guides, or answers to your questions, call (206) 633-0224 or e-mail info@lawnandgardenhotline.org |
| Natural Lawn & Garden Guides |
- Natural Yard Care (pdf): Read this introduction to the whole series first, then get more detail in the seven guides below. A Spanish translation of the Natural Yard Care guide is also avaiable. View El Cuidado Natural del Jardin (pdf)
- Growing Healthy Soil: Learn about using compost and mulch in your lawn, garden, and perennial beds.
- Composting at Home (pdf): Compost yard waste or kitchen scraps to make your own soil-building amendment.
- Choosing the Right Plants (pdf): Choose plants that will thrive in your yard, and need less water and chemicals.
- The Plant List (pdf): 240 plants to meet your garden's needs.
- Smart Watering (pdf): Grow healthier lawns and gardens by giving plants just enough water, but not too much.
- Natural Pest, Weed & Disease Control: Save money and reduce chemical risk, with these "natural" tips.
- Natural Lawn Care (pdf): Learn about mowing, fertilizing, watering, and more... for a healthy, easy-care lawn.
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| Other brochures, resources, and links |
| Call the Hotline (above) for the Natural Lawn & Garden guides and other useful brochures, such as How to Choose A Landscape Company, and Stop Before You Spray: A Photo Guide to Beneficial Insects |
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Water Right, Waste Less (pdf): You can develop a beautiful landscape that will thrive with fewer resources - including much less water - by following some basic steps.
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| Pro IPM factsheets give safe, effective control methods for many common pests. |
| Ecologically Sound Lawn Care for the Pacific Northwest (pdf): A complete lawn care manual for professionals, or residents who want to learn more. |
| Master Gardener Clinics: Volunteers are available to answer questions and diagnose problems over the phone, or at clinics held regularly around King County. Call (206) 296-3440 or visit Gardening in Western Washington |
| Seattle Tilth Association: To find out about organic gardening classes, get directions to demonstration gardens, or purchase the Maritime NW Gardening Guide, call (206) 633-0451. |
| Washington Toxics Coalition: For publications on non-toxic pest management strategies and products, call (206) 632-1545 or (800) 844-SAFE. |
| University of California's Integrated Pest Management Program has pest descriptions, photos, and management options for home gardeners and landscape professionals. |
| Local Hazardous Waste Management Program: Has information on safer gardening and pest control. For information on safe disposal of pesticides and other yard chemicals, call the Household Hazards Line at (206) 296-4692, or (800) ToxicEd. |
| Grow Smart, Grow Safe (pdf): Lists safer products for all your yard care needs. |
Choosing a Nursery or Landscape Professional |
| Find the tools, products, and professional services you need for a healthy yard. Learn more > |
Books |
| Common Sense Pest Control by Olkowski, Daar & Olkowski. Least-toxic solutions for home, garden, pets, and community. |
| Sunset Western Garden Problem Solver. Photos and descriptions of many common pest, disease and weed problems, plus less-toxic ways to prevent and manage them. |
| Rodale's Color Guide of Garden Insects. Photos for identifying pests and beneficial insects, with recommended organic controls for many pests. |
| Rodale Pest and Disease Problem Solver. Photos and descriptions of many common pest and disease problems, plus less-toxic ways to prevent and manage them. |
| Pests of Landscape Trees and Shrubs: An Integrated Pest Management Guide by Steven Dreistadt. Detailed descriptions of pests by plant type, as well as pest life cycles and controls. |
| Pests of the Garden and Small Farm: A Grower's Guide to Using Less Pesticide by Mary Flint. Descriptions of pests by plant type, plus pest life cycles, and controls. |
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