Natural Yard Care Neighborhoods program teaches environment-friendly practices

Fifty percent of King County residents say they use a weed-and-feed product on their lawns every year. Many don’t realize that their weed-and-feed contains “2, 4-D,” a pesticide that humans and pets can track from the lawn and garden into the home. Weed-and-feed can also wash into lakes and streams.

According to the United States Geological Survey, 16 pesticides have been detected in the Northwest at levels that exceed standards set to protect aquatic life, including “2, 4-D.” Studies have found that pesticides pose serious health consequence to humans, pets, fish, beneficial insects and water quality.

But homeowners can have a beautiful lawn without putting weed-and-feed on their grass, insists Ladd Smith of In Harmony Organic Based Landscape Service in Bothell.

“We’ve been programmed to want dark, emerald green lawns with no weeds in it,” he says. “But you can have a lush, green lawn that’s vigorous enough to out-compete the weeds without using pesticides.”

Ladd Smith will talk about the alternatives to weed-and-feed in his workshop “Natural Lawn Care.”

The workshop opens a three-part Natural Yard Care Neighborhoods program set for March 15, March 29 and April 12. In “Natural Lawn Care,” Smith will cover topics such as mulch mowing, slow-release fertilizers and smart watering in addition to other practices that promote vibrant lawns minus the chemicals.

The event requires registration and will be held 7 – 9 p.m. at Molbak’s. Smith will present his March 15 workshop in conjunction with “Good Bug, Bad Bug,” a workshop led by Woodland Park Zoo grounds supervisor E.J. Hook. Greg Rabourn of King County will speak on “Plants and Watering: What Works!” on March 29 and Lisa Taylor and Darcy Batura, noted for their natural yard care expertise, will jump into the topic of “Soil Magic” and building healthy soil on April 12.

The Friends of Cottage Lake (FOCL) and King County have teamed up in a collaborative effort to raise awareness of natural yard care practices.

As sponsors, King County and FOCL have geared the educational event toward residents of the Cottage Lake drainage basin.

Workshops will focus on lake-friendly gardening techniques, such as switching from weed-and-feed to no-phosphorous or low-phosphorous fertilizers. With phosphorous levels in Cottage Lake exceeding state water quality limits, the natural yard care outreach seemed like a way to address the growing problem.

Beth Cullen, water quality planner for King County, explains, “Run-off from roads, gardens, yards, and animal waste are some of the sources that contribute to the high level of phosphorus in Cottage Lake. We’re making a concentrated effort to limit input as algae blooms are a possible problem and sometimes harmful to people and pets.

“Phosphorus also stimulates plant growth which interrupts with recreation anglers. People attending the seminar program will get simple and practical tips that will help reduce the amount of phosphorous in the lake. It’s important as a homeowner to take care of your piece of land in the best way that suits the environment and has the least negative impact. There’s a lot of misinformation about gardening and what natural gardening is.

‘The Natural Yard program focuses on healthy soil, water conservation, healthy lawns and having the right plant in the right place.”

In addition to receiving natural yard care training at no cost, attendees will also take home a tote bag loaded with materials and resources.

“And we’ve got great door prizes that we’ll raffle off, like a mulch mower, gardening tools and accessories. Molbak’s has been very excited and helpful and they’re keeping their store open from 6 to 7 p.m. so those attending can shop before the seminar. And the first 75 who have registered will receive a 10 percent discount at Molbak’s.”

She adds, “Look for invitations to the program in the mail. They’re coming soon and we’d like you to RSVP.”

Seating is limited and the deadline to register is March 8.

If you’d like more information about the program, visit http://www.friendsofcottagelake.org.

To sign up, call Beth Cullen at (206) 263-6242.