Mulching with compost helps keep down weeds, 'feeds' your soil, holds water during the dry months, and slows runoff. Avoid chemicals that knock out the critters that keep the soil alive and productive. And if you've flushed your toilet in metropolitan King County, you've probably contributed to GroCo, a biosolids soil amendment you can purchase at many local nurseries. Make your own compost and turn your own food scraps and yard waste into richer and more productive soil. Some bugs are good, they're the ones eating the bad bugs or pollinating your flowers and apple trees.
Pesticides kill both good and bad bugs, and can harm birds and fish too.
Grow plants that are resistant to disease and pests. Some plants even attract beneficial insects. Try using native plants that are adapted to our climate and provide beautiful habitat for you and wildlife. From 1 to 3 p.m., participants are invited to salvage native plants for their own backyard projects. For an array of plants, check out the Master Gardener Plant Sale at the Center for Urban Horticulture on Saturday, April 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.