The Seven Deadly Pesticide Sins for Natural Gardeners

By: Christopher Williams
Submitted: 2008-06-04 11:33:03
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Commercial landscapers must attend pesticide training and obtain a license in order to apply USDA regulated chemicals. That includes pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, algaecides, and some fertilizers. To maintain their licenses, commercial applicators must attend continuing education classes—each state has different requirements, but most require at least six to twelve hours of training a year. 

Homeowners may go to the hardware store and purchase the same chemicals used by commercial landscapers, only homeowners are not required to have any training to use the same chemicals. Consequently, more accidents, poisonings and environmental damage is done by home gardeners than by commercial landscapers and growers. In order to properly care for your lawn and garden, and protect your family, you have to understand basic principles taught in the pesticide training courses offered by cooperative extension offices in every state. Chances are great that if you have not attended one of those classes, or extensively read the labels on the chemicals you have applied, you have committed the seven deadly sins of horticultural chemical application.

Seven Deadly Sins of Pesticide Application

1. Not correctly identifying the problem. When a white powdery substance begins growing on the leaves of a tree in your yard, or you tomato plant shows signs of being chewed by insects, do you run right out and buy something to fix the problem, or do you first correctly identify the problem? It is easier to go buy a “spray on everything, kill everything” type of product than it is to take a sample to your local Master Gardeners group or Extension office. Pesticide training classes teach that the FIRST thing that every gardener must do before attempting to solve the problem is to correctly identify the problem.

2. Not Reading the Label. In addition to learning how to correctly identify plant problems, pesticide training teaches all commercial applicators to first read the label. The label on any chemical-whether household, lawn and garden, or medicine—contains all of the information needed for correct application, active ingredients, treatment in case of overdose, effective and approved uses, and protective equipment needed. If you do not read the label, or worse, discard the label, you will have problems with your plants, and potentially serious problems if one of your children or pets becomes poisoned.

3. Adopting a “More is Better” approach. Pesticide training teaches that, in order for a chemical (synthetic, organic, natural or man-made) to be effective, it must be applied properly. The idea that if some fertilizer is good, a lot of fertilizer is better is not the correct method of application. It does not matter whether you are applying Miracle Gro or a safer, natural fertilizer made from seaweed. Too much of anything is not a good thing. In our faster, easier, simpler society, though, the first approach has become more is better—that perception does not apply to fertilizing and treating plants.

4. Ignoring individual plant needs. This is related to identifying the problem, but is more related to preventative maintenance rather than treating a problem. All plants need nutrients. Before running out and buying a “cure all” fertilizer, it is important to have a soil sample run for your type of gardening. Vegetables need different nutrients than flowers, and in different quantities, and at different times. Sending a soil sample and reading up on individual plant needs will save you time and money in the long run. It will also ensure that you do not pollute groundwater with unnecessary nutrients.

5. Keeping the “I’ve always done it this way, so I will continue to do it this way” perspective. Commercial pesticide licensing programs are specifically designed to prevent people from doing whatever they want with chemicals. No such program exists for homeowners. Golf courses often get a bad rap for over-fertilizing, over-watering and over-spraying turf. Over the past several years, golf courses have actually become more sophisticated about treating their turf, cleansing their irrigation water, and determining individual needs. Many courses have also switched to natural fertilizer and herbicide methods such as seaweed emulsion feeding and corn gluten for weed control. Part of being a responsible steward is opening your mind to new methods of doing things. It is a good business practice, and a good health practice.

6. Practicing “Denial Gardening.” Pesticide training is not just about treating plant problems. Classes also teach about general gardening techniques. One of the most-stressed components of gardening is planting the right plant in the right place. Some plants are just not meant to grow in certain environments, and thus will need more care than is normal, or cost-effective. The key to being more environmentally responsible is to learn which plants grow best in the conditions of your yard, and stick with those. In the long run, they will need less care, overall.

7. Incorrectly applying fertilizers and pesticides. There are many factors to consider when seeking to safely apply fertilizers and pesticides. Training teaches that you should always use the least toxic treatment in the lowest effective amount. You will need to measure and calculate the correct dose.   Training also teaches that whether your solution is organic or synthetic, you need to read the label and wear proper protective equipment. Training teaches you how to know when is a good time to apply certain treatments, and when it is a bad time. Training also teaches how chemicals work with a plant’s growth habits, and how chemical components interact with groundwater, soil, the air and other plants.

Knowledge Produces Results

So, contrary to popular opinion, attending a pesticide training seminar will make you a better steward of the environment. You will learn many things about synthetic and natural fertilizers and pesticides including: what is a safe, natural fertilizer, how to correctly apply pesticide, why you might NOT need fertilizer or pesticide, and many other tools and techniques. If you attend a class, you will go from it confident that you have the knowledge to make healthy, safe decisions for your garden and your health.

Article source: Expert Articles