Many people in Washington state enjoy growing their own vegetable garden or flower garden. Growing your own garden is a wonderful experience, but there are many responsibilities that come with growing your own garden. These responsibilities need to be taken very seriously.

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Many people who use pesticides and fertilizers on their lawns and gardens do not realize the kind of damage they are doing to our natural environment. We all need to realize that we can have a beautiful lawn or garden without using pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers which harm people, wildlife, and the environment. Some of the ways that you can help include organic gardening, composting, and landscaping with native plants.

Organic gardening is the best way to avoid contaminating our water. Organic gardening means growing plants in soil that is

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uncontaminated by chemicals and contains organic, natural substances which provide a healthy, natural habitat for the plants. The ultimate purpose of organic gardening is to provide a source of food which is uncontaminated by foreign substances (chemicals - pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers), and will replenish itself over time. This is achieved by paying attention to soil quality, beneficial insects, and barrier plants. It includes animals, insects, plants and soil which are all neccesary parts to maintaining an ideal organic garden that will be replenishing.

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You cannot grow a garden without water. All living things are dependent upon water. That is why it is so important that we all realize the potential of conserving water. When we all work together to conserve our state's water, we can make a big difference. If we allow our water to continue to be polluted by chemicals and other poisons, it could mean permanent damage to our food supply.

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