Alpine Nursery and Minter’s Earlington Greenhouse and Nursery, both in Renton, are on the 2009 list of natural yard-care nurseries that offer safe, natural lawn and garden products as well as information on sustainable practices for yards.

The 26 retail nurseries located throughout King County strive to prevent the use of hazardous pesticides and chemicals by offering alternative solutions, according to Seattle Public Utilities, which manages the program.

“Many people are looking for ways to start or maintain environmentally friendly gardens,” said Carl Woestwin, landscape conservation program manager at Seattle Public Utilities. “The 26 nurseries recognized this year offer natural yard-care products, expert advice and more personalized service to promote healthy, sustainable gardens without harming the health of our families or the environment.”

Pesticides and chemicals pose a serious risk to both environmental and human health. Many pesticides are toxic to fish and other organisms in local bodies of water, and fertilizers can drastically reduce water quality.

Pesticides can also be harmful to young children whose growing bodies and developing nervous systems make them particularly vulnerable to exposure. Seattle Public Utilities and the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County partner to help residents reduce use and exposure to these harmful chemicals and still create vibrant gardens.

Retail nurseries and garden centers qualify for the 2009 list by:

• Carrying products for natural yard care such as natural fertilizers, less toxic pest and weed control products and smart watering tools;

• Educating customers about natural yard care;

• Providing opportunities for staff education on natural yard care; and

• Practicing low-toxicity pest management techniques in their nursery.

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, according to a press release.

The Grow Smart, Grow Safe guide provides information on hundreds of lawn and garden products and rates their harmful effects.

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

Additional tips are available for natural yard care, more environmentally-friendly products, or how to choose an environmentally-friendly landscaper.

Seven tips to save you time and money

• Plan before your purchase. Create a landscape plan for your home before you begin buying. Don’t spend money on materials you don’t need.

• Build Healthy Soil. Add compost to build soil and feed plants. Compost spread thinly on the lawn builds soil health, too! Use mulch in your landscape. Two to three inches of mulch in your planting beds holds water in the soil so it is available to plants during dry weather when they need it the most. Save water and save money! Mulch also cuts down on time spent weeding or paying for herbicide or for someone else to weed.

• Plant right for your site. Put a plant in a place it likes and it will grow and stay healthy. It will mean less maintenance in the future and big savings in the long run. Ask your nursery which plants are best for your landscape.

• Practice water-wise gardening. Too much water causes many common plant problems. It is also more costly during the high use summer months. During the summer water your lawn with one inch of water once a week in the early morning or late afternoon to keep your grass lush and healthy. It is best to water deeply but infrequently to build deep, drought resistant roots. Purchase a soaker hose to efficiently water garden plots and plantings.

• Think twice before you spray. Pesticides are expensive. Try chemical-free approaches, such as pulling weeds or blasting aphids with spray from the hose, to keep pests and diseases out of your garden. Ask your nursery about chemical-free options and less-toxic pesticides to use for your needs. Avoid weed and feed lawn products; it’s a waste of money to spread a weed killer where there aren’t any weeds.

• Put your lawn on a diet. Over-fertilizing your lawn can weaken your grass, and may leach extra chemicals into our waterways when it rains. Apply “natural organic” or “slow-release” fertilizer twice a year—once in May and once in September—for a strong, healthy lawn. Healthy grass means fewer weeds to pull, fewer growth spurts, and deep, drought-resistant roots. This will save on maintenance in the long run.

• Compost at home for healthy soil. Composting your yard waste at home provides you with a free, nutrient-rich soil amendment to give your plants a boost. Build your own bin or purchase one from your local government or local retailer. Give worm composting a try for your food scraps, too.