Springtime also means mowing the yard, pulling weeds and raking flower or garden beds. The Department of Ecology would like to share some helpful gardening hints. Try to pull weeds instead of poisoning them with chemicals. Chemical pesticides can pose hazards to humans, pets and the environment.
Chemicals kill the good as well as the bad plants and bugs.
Contamination of water supply can occur when pesticides are applied just before a heavy rainfall and can run off into a nearby stream or storm drain. Always use only enough fertilizer necessary to feed plants. Excessive use of fertilizers can contaminate the water supply because it is washed by rain or irrigation into drainage systems. Fertilizers encourage rapid growth of plants and algae in lakes and streams causing harm to aquatic life and threatening the safety of boaters, swimmers and anglers. Providing needed nutrients and moisture and the right plant placement creates a healthy pest-resistant plant.