Lawn Care and Gardens

Actions You Can Take

• Apply fertilizers and pesticides according to the label and instructions.
• Avoid using fertilizers or pesticides before rain is predicted.
• Cover all materials that are to be used in any landscaping projects, such as dirt and mulch. Covering these materials will help prevent them from blowing or washing away into local water bodies.
• Dispose of yard waste properly. Leaves and other debris should never be blown or raked into any street, ditch, gutter, stream, creek, or storm drain.
• Make sure that all stream banks have a healthy riparian buffer.
• Plant native species of grasses and plants as they are more drought and pest resistant and require less use of water and chemicals.
• Sweep up any fertilizer and/or pesticide spills and dispose of them properly. Never hose of any excess.
• Conserve water by not overwatering your lawn. Adjust sprinklers so the water wil not run into the gutters. Water during cooler times of the day.
• Keep gutters swept clear of leaves and grass cuttings.
• Identify pests before spraying pesticides. As a specialist at your local garden center for advice on how to treat the specific pest.
• Check at your local garden center for integrated pest management methods to minimize chemical use on your lawn and garden.
• Create healthy soil by adding compost that contains organic matter and nutrients.