Garden Green
How to grow plants without the use of toxic chemicals
Pollinators and Pesticides
Based on research done for the presentation first given March 3, 2018 in conjunction with the Vashon Master Gardeners, here are links to current research and valuable information on this important topic.
Support for the research and talk provided by the Vashon-Maury Island Groundwater Protection Committee and King County
Organic Approved Pesticides - Minimizing Risks to Bees
The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, www.xerces.org
Attracting Pollinators To Your Garden Using Native Plants
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Lolo National Forest
Neonic Treated Seeds
Beyond Pesticides has created an informative video on the impact of insecticide-coated seeds, especially neonicontinoids, (aka neonics).
You can watch it here: Seeds That Poison.
Studies and data have found that pollinators such as honey bees, native bees, butterflies and birds, are in decline. Scientists have identified several factors that are contributing to bee decline, including pesticides, parasites, improper nutrition, stress, and habitat loss. The neonicotinoid (neonics) chemical class has been singled out as a major suspect due to its widespread use as a seed coating, high toxicity to bees, systemic nature and persistence. Systemic chemicals like the neonics move through the plant’s system and show up in pollen, nectar, and guttation droplets (which bees use for drinking water).