Seattle/King County recognize best natural products and practice

Gardening the natural way just got a lot easier for local gardeners with the announcement of Seattle Public Utilities’ 2008 list of natural yard care nurseries that will provide their customers with a selection of safe, natural lawn and garden products as well as information on sustainable practices for yards of any size.

These 24 retail nurseries are located throughout King County.

Carl Woestwin, landscape conservation manager at Seattle Public Utilities, said that by using natural products, consumers can have beautiful gardens without resorting to harmful chemicals and pesticides.

“An increasing number of consumers are seeking natural yard care products and environmentally-friendly gardening advice,” said Woestwin. “The 24 local nurseries recognized this year are making it easier for consumers to find green products in their communities and we encourage residents to consider these locations for all their gardening needs.”

More King County nurseries are offering natural yard care products to their customers than ever before, with 24 local nurseries qualifying for this year’s list, compared to 17 nurseries in 2006.

To qualify for the 2008 list, retail nurseries and garden centers met the following criteria:

1. Carry products for natural yard care such as natural fertilizers, less toxic pest and weed control products and smart watering tools;
2. Educate customers about natural yard care;
3. Provide opportunities for staff education on natural yard care; and
4. Practice low-toxicity pest management techniques in their nursery.

According to the 2008 Garden Writers Association Early Spring Garden Trends Report, about one-third of consumers are looking for organic or natural pest control products and fertilizer.

Seattle Public Utilities provides additional resources to environmentally-conscious gardeners, such as how to reduce or eliminate the need for hazardous yard care products, along with tips on proper disposal of leftover pesticides.

The Grow Smart, Grow Safe guide provides information on hundreds of lawn and garden products and rates their harmful effects. It is available online at http://www.savingwater.org/docs/Grow_Smart_Grow_Safe.pdf.

Area nurseries offering ecologically sound products, practices and education:

• Bellevue Nursery (Bellevue)
• Boxhill Farm (Duvall)
• Classic Nursery & Landscape Company (Redmond)
• Hayes Nursery (Issaquah)
• Hopkins Nursery (Bothell)
• Molbak’s (Woodinville)
• MsK Rare Plant Nursery (Shoreline)
• The Nursery at Mount Si (North Bend)
• Pacific Topsoil’s Gray Barn Nursery (Redmond)
• Squak Mt. Nursery (Issaquah)
• Sky Nursery (Shoreline)

The Green Gardening Program is funded by the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County and managed by Seattle Public Utilities.

To find additional tips for natural yard care, more environmentally-friendly products, or how to choose an environmentally-friendly landscaper, please visit www.savingwater.org/outside.htm.

For more information and additional resources on less toxic gardening, contact the Natural Lawn and Garden Hotline at (206) 633-0224 or email info@lawnandgardenhotline.org.