Think twice before using pesticides.

Identify the problem before you spray, squash or stomp.
• Use physical controls, repellants and long-handled weed pullers.
• Mulch once a year to reduce weeds in beds.

Replace Problem Plants with Pest- or Disease-Resistant ones
If a plant or tree has a chronic or recurring insect pest or disease problem, it's time to remove it and replace it with a more tolerant variety or another type of plant.

Avoid using Weed-and-Feed Products and Other Pesticides
Weed-and-feed-type products have been identified as a number one priority for education in King County. Weed-and-feed products are the most widely used pesticide in King County, and many people are not aware that they are a pesticide. Sales of weed-and-feed products peak each spring and are often used as a fertilizer rather than as a pesticide.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), 16 pesticides have been detected in the Northwest at levels that exceed standards set to protect aquatic life. One of those pesticides, 2,4D, is a component of weed-and-feed products.

Overuse of these products also can damage soil and plant health. Studies have found increased health risks among families that use lawn and garden pesticides, especially among pets and children.

Going Natural
Going natural may mean you need to accept a lighter green color, a few weeds, and mowing a little higher than you're used to. But you'll still have a healthy, good-looking lawn that's easier on the environment. And that's a good deal for fish and everybody.

Grass clippings are overloading our compost facilities
those grass clippings could supply at least 1/4 of your lawn's fertilizer needs. It's called "grasscycling" - just leave the clippings on the lawn. This saves you time and money and helps prevent the growing problem of overloaded compost facilities. And if you use less fertilizer, there's less chance of it washing off into our streams.

Healthy lawns grow on healthy soil
Using proper soil preparation and lawn maintenance practices will help to build healthy soil and vigorous, deep-rooted lawns. These lawns are more resistant to disease, tolerate some insect and drought damage, and will out-compete many weeds. The practices recommended here can help make lawns healthier for our families, protect beneficial soil organisms, and protect our environment too.