Healthy Gardening
Information provided here will help with safer gardening practices that also benefit our community's air and water quality, and connect you with opportunities for community gardening in Thurston County.
Protect your health and the health of our community with Common Sense Gardening practices. Chemicals used in your yard and garden can end up in our bodies and in our community’s drinking water, lakes, rivers, streams, and Puget Sound.
Common Sense Gardening
Build healthy soil:
- Use compost and organic, slow-release fertilizer for healthy soil. Apply mulch to help prevent weeds and conserve water.
- Plan before you plant.
- Plant right for your site depending on how much sun, water, and attention the plant will need in the desired location.
Practice smart watering:
- Water deeply and less frequently. Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation to deliver water right to the plant roots.
- Water in the mornings or evenings to prevent evaporation.
- Check to make sure that automatic irrigation systems are set up for the yard that you currently have. They are often programmed for brand new plantings. As plants mature, they need more water, less often.
Prevent problems before they start:
- Grow Smart, Grow Safe techniques emphasize the prevention of common pests and weeds. When you do have a problem, think twice before using pesticides. To choose the safest products check out the Grow Smart, Grow Safe website.
- Practice natural lawn care.
- Garden without Chemicals.
Inexpensive, time-saving, and practical tips for creating a healthy living space!
- Building Healthy Soil
- City of Olympia’s Natural Yard Care
- Composting Resources
- Gardening without Chemicals
- Grow Smart, Grow Safe
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Fact Sheets
- Puget Sound Starts Here
- Thurston County Master Gardeners
- WA Poison Control Poisonous and Non-Poisonous Plant List
- Natural Yard Care
- Rain Garden Handbook for Western Washington
- Pesticides & Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
For more information:
Contact our Healthy Home and Yard Program for more information at healthyhomes@co.thurston.wa.us or call 360-867-2674 if you have additional questions.
Contact our Education and Prevention program for more information at healthyhomes@co.thurston.wa.us or call 360-867-2674 if you have additional questions.