You take pride in your garden, whether you’re growing flowers or vegetables or maybe both. Every home gardener wants to keep their plants healthy and strong, but when insects, weeds, diseases, or unwanted critters drop by, you will need some garden control. Many of these products, such as pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, can help to reap a bountiful harvest. However, these formulas often contain chemicals. Professional landscapers are sharing advice about safely handling these plant care products.
Keep Away From Kids
Whenever you’re working in the garden with potentially toxic substances, the most important rule of thumb is this: Never spray chemicals if children or pets are around. Keep them away until the plants are dry.
Also, don’t forget to “arm” yourself with protection. Landscapers recommend always wearing gloves. When spraying chemicals, wear safety goggles for your eyes and a face mask to protect your nose and mouth. Cover any exposed parts of your body.
Don’t just begin spraying or tossing powdery formulas about your plants. Read any vital safety information label thoroughly before you start.
Choose the Least Toxic Product
When purchasing plant-care chemical formulas, the front label’s “signal” word can help you select more safely developed products for you and your family. For example, the “signal” words include:
- CAUTION: slightly toxic formulas
- WARNING: moderately toxic formulas
- DANGER: highly toxic or corrosive formulas
Don’t Do It on Windy Days
The weather plays a key role in the effectiveness of chemical applications. Rain isn’t the only kind of condition to avoid spraying garden chemicals. Professional landscapers recommend waiting for a calm day and light winds. Don’t spray plants if the wind is more than 10 mph because the chemicals won’t land where you need them.
Pesticides can drift away from the target area; get in your face and hair; and damage, stunt, or kill your plants and vegetables.
Ready-to-Use Is Always Best
Here’s another important tip: Ready-to-use chemical products vs. concentrates. Landscape professionals advise homeowners to choose premixed versions, such as liquid pesticides. Branded products have been rigorously tested with only the safest formulas available for domestic use.
Concentrated pesticides require accurate dilution and mixing. Also, using concentrated pesticides requires proper handling, or you risk contaminating yourself and/or the environment.
Store Them in a Safe Place
Plant-care chemicals should always be stored in cabinets inaccessible to children and pets. Keep these products in their original packaging if possible. Otherwise, store them in containers labeled with the exact product name and EPA registration number.
Even when you’re careful, pesticide emergencies can occur. Write down emergency numbers and personal medical information, and keep this handy with the EPA Reg No. for emergency responders. If you live in Woodside, CA or a surrounding area and need plant care services, make your first call to Urban Tree Management.
