Common Sense Gardening: 6 Quick Tips for Vegetable Gardens

 

There is nothing quite like growing and eating your own fresh produce. Growing vegetables isn’t always easy, but they are absolutely worth the work! Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your vegetable garden.

1) Water smart. Soaker hoses have multiple benefits. They make watering easy, deliver water directly to the plants, they don’t water between rows which would help weeds grow, and they don’t waste water by watering surfaces that don't need water, such as pavement.

2) Create healthy soil. Healthy plants grow from healthy soil. Compost adds fertility and structure vital for healthy soil. You can make your own compost or purchase it from a garden center. Choose slow-release fertilizer and stay away from fertilizers that combine bug or weed killers. These contain chemicals that can kill beneficial insects and contaminate groundwater that we drink.

3) Take care of weeds & bugs naturally. Invest in long handled weed tools to make the labor easier on your back. Use mulch around plants to keep weeds down and conserve water. Minimizing space between plants will also give less space for weeds to grow. If you find you have bugs, take a deep breath, stay calm and find out what they are.  Most insects are helpful or neutral, only a small percent cause harm. Our friends in Clark County created this nifty bug guide. Learn what bugs are attracted to in your garden, and what predator eats them. Adding a bird bath in or near your garden can attract birds that will eat up those bugs. Look for the least toxic solution to a pest problem. Please visit our Integrated Pest Management web page to find prescriptions for common pests.

4) Observe your plants. Take time to look closely at the plants in your vegetable garden. How are they doing? This can help you spot any problems early and help remind you to weed and water your investments.

5) Rotate vegetable gardens annually. Not all plants feed off of the same nutrients and some plants actually add nutrients to the soil. Rotating your plants to different spots of your garden each year will help keep plants productive and balance soil nutrients. This also helps prevent pests and diseases from building up in the soil.

6)  Wash your produce before you eat it. As an official blog of the Health Department, we must remind you how important it is to wash your produce. Even if it comes from your own garden, bacteria from wildlife and other sources can wind up on your produce. To lower your risk of foodborne illnesses, wash your produce (and hands!) before you eat it. For more information about food safety visit www.foodsafety.gov.

 

If you have specific questions about Common Sense Gardening, please call Thurston County Environmental Health (360) 867-2674. Happy gardening!

Financial Assistance for Repair & Replacement of Failing Septic Systems

Did you know Thurston County Environmental Health offers financial assistance to homeowners for the repair or replacement of their failing septic systems?

The Septic System Financial Assistance Program offers loans and grants to qualified applicants. 

Why are failing septic systems a health concern?

When septic systems fail, raw sewage from the systems can contaminate the surface and groundwater. Groundwater is our main source of drinking water, so we want to keep it safe for us all to drink and use for cooking, bathing, washing dishes and clothes and so much more. We depend on groundwater. When surface water is contaminated it can harm wildlife and close local beaches and shellfish beds due to unsafe bacteria levels in the water.

How can I keep my system from failing?

Repairing and replacing septic systems is costly.  Proper maintenance of septic systems greatly lowers the risk of failure and it prolongs the life of the system. To learn how to protect your investment, attend one of the Free Septic Sense Workshops this month.

Some simple “Dos” and “Don’ts” will help extend the life of your septic system, save on maintenance costs, and protect water quality. Read them on this past blog post, “Septic System Care Begins with You.”

Septic System Financial Assistance Program

The health concerns related to failing septic systems are why Thurston County Environmental Health receives funding from Washington State Department of Ecology and a federal clean water grant to implement a financial assistance program. So far, the program has helped 124 homeowners fix or replace their failing septic systems.

The program provides loans and grants depending on the situation. Homeowners in Thurston County with any income level can apply for low interest loans to replace their system or to connect to sewer. There are small grants available for eligible repairs (does not include regular maintenance) and larger grants available for the replacement of a septic tank, a pumping chamber, or an entire on-site septic system. There are income requirements for the grants.  There are also grants available specifically for homeowners in the Henderson Inlet or Nisqually Reach Shellfish Protection Districts.

To find out if you qualify for the Septic System Financial Assistance Program, contact Debra Baker at (360) 867-2628 (TDD 360-867-2603). 

For more information, visit:  www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehoss/loan_program.html  

Got a specific septic system question you need answered?

Call the Septic Help Line (360) 867-2669

Free Septic Sense Workshops

If your wastewater (what you flush and what goes down your drains) is treated by an on-site septic system, you don’t have to pay a monthly fee for sewage treatment. However, you do have an added home maintenance responsibility. Like any other investment, septic systems require regular care and maintenance.

Come to a free Septic Sense Workshop. We’ll provide information specific to your system, give plenty of tips on how to extend the life of your system, and hear from professionals working in the field.

Please register in advance at (360) 867 - 2674 or on our website.

      Wednesday May 14

      7:00-9:00 p.m. 

      Gordons Grange Hall

      308 East Yelm Ave. Yelm

      Thursday May 15

      7:00-9:00 p.m.

      McLane Fire Station

      125 Delphi Rd. NW Olympia

  

      Wednesday May 21

      7:00-9:00 p.m.

      Griffin Fire Station

      3707 Steamboat Island Loop NW Olympia

      Thursday May 22

      7:00-9:00 p.m.

      Thurston County Courthouse

      2000 Lakeridge Dr. SW (Building 1) Olympia

Take care of your septic system and it will take care of you!

Spring Cleaning Part 2: Tips for Sheds, Garages, & Barns

 

As rain gives way to sunshine and warmer temperatures, outdoor projects move from the “planning phase” to the “doing phase.” Many outdoor activities also involve cleaning workspaces that house tools, supplies, and equipment during the fall and winter. Here are some tips for safely managing spring cleaning efforts in sheds, garages, and barns.

Protect yourself!

Critters often find refuge from the weather in outbuildings during the colder months, which can expose you to harmful viruses as you clean. Gloves, a dust mask, and eye protection are good prevention measures. If you find an infestation or large quantities of animal/rodent feces or urine, consult a pest control company for guidance on cleaning the area and preventing further infestations.

Be careful with chemicals!

Chemicals stored in outbuildings should be checked to ensure that they are stored securely and the containers are in good condition. Unwanted hazardous materials should be taken HazoHouse for free disposal. HazoHouse is located at the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center (2420 Hogum Bay Rd NE, Lacey WA 98516), and is open Friday – Tuesday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eligible businesses can also use HazoHouse, but disposal fees apply.

If a container holding hazardous materials is damaged or leaking, find out how to safely handle the material before moving the container. Depending on the type of material, you may be able to transfer the contents of the leaking container into another container. Leaking containers should not be taken to HazoHouse. For further guidance on what to do with leaking containers, contact the Hazardous and Solid Waste Hotline at (360) 867-2664.

Plan ahead!

While checking and organizing chemicals used for home and yard maintenance, consider storing chemicals in a manner that prevents leaks and spills from spreading. Plastic tubs and pails make great “secondary containment” for smaller quantities of home and yard chemicals. Do not store different types of chemicals, such as corrosive (acid) and caustic (base) cleaners in the same secondary containment unit; if stored together, leaks could result in dangerous chemical reactions. Use separate tubs for different types of chemicals and never store chemicals near a well or within reach of children.

Tubs and pails can help you organize stored hazardous materials and manage your inventory of home and yard products. By labeling and periodically checking tubs and pails, you can reduce the likelihood of buying and storing duplicate types of products, and proactively “weed out” chemicals that you no longer want or need. The less chemical products you keep at home, the less likely you are to have spills and hazardous exposures. 

Not sure how to dispose of something? Find information at www.WhereDoITakeMy.org