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Yard care, salmon and Puget Sound Yard Talk: dirt simple tips for natural yard care
Episode 14: "Yard care, salmon and Puget Sound"
Synopsis: The Yard Talk duo explains that we’re are only as far away from a stream, river or Puget Sound, as the storm drain in our street. Runoff from our yards and driveways flows into storm drains and is whisked directly into our waterways. Greg and Doug show us how to prevent soaps, doggie doo, and chemicals from sending our water quality…down the drain.
Protecting water quality starts at home
Know where your property’s run off goes—locate the storm drains or ditches on your street and find out where that water flows.
Keep dirt, litter, and other junk out of your storm drains.
Protect bare soil with mulch and replace or shrink your lawn with a variety of native plants.
Use pervious pavers
Avoid pesticides and quick release fertilizers which end up in the nearest body of water and slowly poison marine creatures.
If your property borders a body of water, consider creating a natural buffer like Robin’s that will provide good habitat for salmon.
Don’t wash your car in your driveway. The soaps and grime that go down the storm drain kill fish instantly. Instead, take your car to a carwash where the water is recycled and reused. And the underside of your car is washed as well.
Do everyone a favor and dispose of pet waste the right way: Bag it and put it in the trash.
Support companies that are members of Envirostars, a regional program that recognizes businesses that reduce hazardous waste and help keep the water clean.
Greg's tips & tricks
Greg explains ways to prevent pet waste from harming water quality.
Doug’s designs
Doug gives a tour of a garden he designed to support the salmon-bearing stream it borders.
Guests
Gregory Smaus of Native Roots Designs talks about designing a beautiful yard to minimize the harmful effects of runoff.
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