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Natural Yard Care
Reduce pesticide use and risks at your home, school and workplace
These Natural Yard Care practices will help you grow an attractive, easy-care landscape that’s also healthier for children and adults, pets, and our local streams and wildlife.
Start with these five easy steps
- Build healthy soil with compost and mulch.
- Plant right for the site.
- Practice smart watering.
- Think twice before using pesticides.
- Practice natural lawn care.
The Natural Yard Care guide (PDF, 443KB) includes a handy calendar of Natural Yard Care practices through the seasons.
It’s also available in Spanish: El Cuidado Natural del Jardin (PDF, 1.3MB).
Schools, Parks, and Neighborhoods
Public schools are required to follow an Integrated Pest Management Plan and provide information about their pesticide use. See IPM at Your School
Find out which neighborhood parks are pesticide-free IPM and Pesticide-free Parks
Check your city or county’s plan to reduce pesticide use at IPM in cities and counties
Find EnviroStars businesses in your community that are making green and healthy choices at www.Envirostars.org
Learn more
Good Bug Guide photos help identify beneficial bugs that protect the landscape from pests and diseases.
Grow Smart Grow Safe (PDF, 2.4MB) compares common yard and garden products to help consumers select the least-toxic, most effective products.
Natural Lawn Care (PDF, 623KB) easy, proven lawn care practices that are healthy for families and pets too.
Four Reasons to Kick the Weed & Feed Habit (PDF, 583KB) describes the health and environmental risks of "weed & feed" products
How to Choose a Landscaper (PDF, 443KB) asks the questions needed to find an environmentally responsible landscape care company - one that minimizes the use of pesticides and other toxic products.
EnviroStars Landscape Professionals and other companies follow environmentally-sound practices, such as minimizing the use of pesticides.
2010 List of Natural Yard Care Nurseries (PDF, 72KB) sell natural and least-toxic products and advise consumers about how to keep their yards healthy, beautiful and safe.
Questions?
For answers to pest problems, to learn about less toxic solutions, and for information on other yard and garden questions, contact the Garden Hotline at 206-633-0224 or help@gardenhotline.org.
Resources
Natural Lawn & Garden Care (City of Seattle)
www.seattle.gov/util/Services/Yard/Natural_Lawn_&_Garden_Care/index.asp
Northwest Natural Yard & Garden (King County)
www.kingcounty.gov/environment/stewardship/nw-yard-and-garden.aspx
Saving Water Partnership – water conservation tips for home and business
www.savingwater.org/
Soils for Salmon – learn how to grow healthier soil for healthier gardens and salmon
www.soilsforsalmon.org/
Native Plant Guide - native plant gardening tips
green.kingcounty.gov/GoNative/Index.aspx
IPMopedia - find your pest or weed, and the least toxic solution
toxipedia.org/display/ipmopedia
WSU Master Gardener Information – searchable information on many plants
gardening.wsu.edu/
Great Plant Picks – find the right plant for the right place
greatplantpicks.org/program.php
