Cathy Peck
Beltrami County Master Gardener
A few weeks ago I watched a pair of wrens tirelessly feeding their
nestlings from early morning to nearly dark. Each time they popped
into the house with an insect, they exited with a beak full of
droppings. Those parents were removing what could have become
hazardous to the health of their babies and they did it on a
manageable basis, a little at a time.
This birdbrain philosophy is one we could well follow. Yard and
garden chemicals are, of course, the focus of this article. These
are substances that when used properly, can be helpful but are not
without risk to us, our pets, birds and animals, pollinators who
make possible a big part of our food supply, the creatures that keep
our soil and environment healthy as well as the plants that surround
us. Our insatiable desire for lawns that look like carpets with no
weeds is not sustainable ecologically. Our fear of and distaste for
insects means that we often don’t see the benefits they provide for
us and our environment. Looking at the whole picture on a long-term
basis is a key to a world that will be healthy for us, our children
and our children’s children. So what can we do?
If we learn how plants grow, we will know when to fertilize; if a
problem is a disease, insect damage, the weather, or the result of
our own cultural practices, we can make wise choices about chemical
use or nonuse and get desired results through the example of the
wrens, attention to detail. When we understand, we don't over-
purchase or over-use, or accumulate chemicals.
A woman once called me about a perennial garden problem - wilted
plants. Seeing some insects, she had already sprayed with very
hazardous chemicals, had put down fertilizer but was still at her
wit’s end. After talking with her about how she had cared for the
plants, I asked about watering practices. She claimed she had watered
but called me the next day, very chagrined, to say she had checked
the soil and now realized she had only sprinkled lightly. The plants
responded to deep watering. She could have avoided the use of
dangerous chemicals just by asking questions first and paying
attention to her plants.
Chemicals become unusable when they get old or go through the
freeze-thaw cycle; some become illegal; labels fall off so we don't
know one from another; we move and no longer need them, or we simply
purchase more than we need. People not educated about chemicals may
not recognize the danger they pose. We want to get rid of them but
it is illegal to bury or burn a pesticide. Disposing of chemicals
by pouring them on the ground concentrates dangerous chemicals and
they will find their way to our groundwater, posing long-term
contamination. Unused chemicals are considered hazardous waste.
We have the responsibility to get rid of hazardous waste in
Minnesota properly. Under the authority of the Pollution Control
Agency collection and disposal facilities are licensed to safely
collect, transport, and dispose of them using environmentally safe
methods. A number of northern Minnesota counties work together so
that we as producers of very small quantity generators (VSQGs) of
hazardous waste can bring it to local collection points. This
quantity is limited to 220 pounds or 22 gallons of liquid per month.
Check with your local waste delivery facility for specifics in your
county. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture Clean Sweep program
default.htm> explains good stewardship of hazardous waste, risks, and
safe handling. Let’s learn to be responsible wrens who keep our
nests clean.
