News archive
Northwest yard and garden
This archive page provides past news and features related to Northwest yard and gardens for visitors who want to research or re-read older articles and news releases. For the latest news and announcements, please visit Northwest yard and garden topics.
Natural Yard Care Class
The Foundation of Your Yard: The dirt on soil, compost, and mulch
Saturday, January 26, 2019, 10 a.m. - noon at Brightwater Center
Jul. 23, 2018
As hot, dry weather grips region, King County has landscaping tips to reduce wildfire risk
Jul. 20, 2018
External report, KING5 News
Seattle pilot project planting trees that can adapt to global warming
Jul. 19, 2018
External article West Seattle Blog
Stalking giant hogweed – and other noxious weeds – in West Seattle
Jun. 7, 2018
Celebrate the season: Opening of farmers markets offers fresh, healthy food across King County
Organic materials
Where to order compost, how to use it to nourish your yard and sequester soil carbon.
Apr. 30, 2018
External article, Curbed
Seattle tree law could be getting a revision
Feb. 8, 2018
King County Weed Board approves noxious weed list for 2018
King County’s 2018 Noxious Weed List to be set at January 24 Weed Board Meeting
Public meeting at Mercer Island Library
Get water-saving tips for your home and garden
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Oct. 28, 2016
Free natural yard care workshops on fall yard design, Nov. 10 and 17
Aug. 4, 2016
External report, KOMO4 News
EcoConsumer: Rain Gardens
Beneficial Bugs on the Farm: Attracting Insects to Control Pests (external)
Friday June 3rd at Green River College, Enumclaw Campus
Farming for Native Pollinators: Creating a Place for Bees and Bugs (external)
Saturday June 4th at 21 Acres Farm, Woodinville
Oct. 8, 2015
External article, Seattle Times
Toxic road runoff kills adult coho salmon in hours, study finds
Oct. 8, 2015
External article, Bellingham Herald
Study: Highway runoff kills salmon but filters can help
Sep. 20, 2015
External article, West Seattle Blog
Raingarden tours as King County completes its first ‘green stormwater infrastructure’ project
Native plant sale Sep. 25-27 (external)
Jul. 17, 2015
External article, Seattle Times
RainWise helps Seattle homeowners collect stormwater, prevent pollution
Jun. 8, 2015
Learn how to control invasive knotweed at free King County Noxious Weed Program workshops
Jun. 2, 2015
External article, Sightline Daily
New Fund Will Help More Seattle Residents Build Rain Gardens
Apr. 20, 2015
Executive Constantine honors 14 eco-friendly leaders with Green Globe Awards
Gardening with Loop® biosolids -- it's like magic
WSU soil scientist connects soil, biosolids & sustainability
Apr. 8, 2015
Learn about rebates for rain gardens and cisterns at a free ‘Meet the Contractor’ event in West Seattle, April 11
Mar. 17, 2015
External report, KING5 News
Seattle helping pay for rain gardens
Mar. 5, 2015
Let the sunshine in with art projects, nature walks and gardening workshops
External announcement, King Conservation District
2015 Annual Native Bareroot Plant Sale on Feb. 28
Jan. 22, 2015
External article, Sightline Daily
Rain gardens could make runoff safe for salmon
Jan. 8, 2015
King County’s noxious weed list has growth spurt with addition of 4 new garden escapees
May 30, 2014
Garden product safety info now available through new Grow Smart, Grow Safe® app
New app lists 1,000-plus lawn and garden chemicals, offers natural gardening tips
May 16, 2014
External article, Seattle Times
Lawn care: How to keep it safe and simple
March 4, 2014
GoGreen Seattle: Going beyond business and sustainability as usual
2014 Keynotes Feature King County Executive Dow Constantine, Tesla Co-Founder Kimbal Musk and Darigold CEO Jim Wegner
Jun. 3, 2013
External article, Renton Reporter
County offering advice on how to get rid of invasive knotweed
May 10, 2013
Still room for your perfect P-Patch in King County Parks’ North Green River Park garden
May 8, 2013
External article, Seattle Times
Weed warriors vanquishing Scotch broom on local prairie
Capable of throwing its seed as far as 20 feet with a single pop, Scotch broom is a tough invader
May 7, 2013
Show off your Pesticide Free yard with a free ladybug signTake a pledge and join more than 800 parks and trails in King County that use few to no pesticides
Apr. 19, 2013
King County honors 12 environmental leaders with Green Globe Awards
Liesl Zappler, Swedish Medical Center, Leader in Sustainable Landscaping Practices
The City of Shoreline, Leader in Pesticide Reduction
Apr. 2, 2013
King County sounding the alarm as harmful weeds begin to grow this spring
Mar. 29, 2013
Green Grants funding supports community rain garden project in South Park
Celebration and volunteer planting party takes place Saturday, March 30
CropSwap (external site)
Trade your abundant produce with gardeners and farmers by zip code
Sept. 4, 2012
‘Grow Smart Grow Safe’ garden products guide OK’d for WSU Master Gardeners use
May 6, 2012
External article, Science News
Commonly Used Pesticide Turns Honey Bees Into 'Picky Eaters'
May 20, 2012
External article, Seattle Times
Seattle takes greener approach to sewer overflows
Rain Garden Workshop Saturday, May 12
Shadow Lake Nature Preserve
May 6, 2012
External article, Seattle Times
Fertilizer from food waste: PCC tests 'full circle' system with local firm
Apr. 19, 2012
Invasive weeds get the boot, salmon get a boost, with King County grant awards
Mar. 30, 2012
External report, Science
Field Research on Bees Raises Concern About Low-Dose Pesticides
Mar. 20, 2012
Stretch your food budget by growing veggies in one of King County’s Community garden plots
Mar. 20, 2012
King County targets 3 new invasive plants
Mar. 5, 2012
External article, Sightline Daily
Renting “Sustaina-Billies” as Public Contractors
Feb. 10, 2012
Sustainable EnviroStars businesses featured at Northwest Flower & Garden ShowLandscapers, garden designers use fewer chemicals for healthy, beautiful gardens
Feb. 9, 2012
Swedish Medical Center grounds crews go green and save money, earn EnviroStars honor
Feb. 8, 2012
King County launches Loop at the NW Flower & Garden Show
Jan. 13, 2012
Volunteer for Feb. 4 native plant salvage and help keep King County naturally green
June 13, 2011
External column, Seattle Times
Saving Puget Sound a rain garden at a time
May 16, 2011
King County offers everyday ‘green’ tips at annual Green Festival, May 21-22, in Seattle
May 6, 2011
County offers free workshops to help residents tackle tough noxious weeds
Agencies, landowners asked to help stop spread of invasive and noxious plants, including garlic mustard, invasive knotweed and giant hogweed
April 19, 2011
External article Seattle P-I
Campaign wants 12,000 rain gardens in Puget Sound
Mar. 14, 2011
King County offers free ‘naturescaping’ seminar, native plant salvage near Fall City
Feb. 22, 2011
Make your yard come alive with soil expert tips from the NW Flower & Garden Show Get the buzz on biosolids at King County’s clean-water booth, Feb. 23-27
Feb. 22, 2011
March 5 native plant salvage event helps keep King County green - naturally
Feb. 2, 2011
External article The Olympian
The salvaged yard: Going native makes sense in your garden
Sept. 11, 2010
External article Seattle Times
Local waters will benefit from Seattle's program to install rain gardens
Sept. 9, 2010
Garden bounty feeds a crowd at South Treatment Plant harvest lunch
Local farmers, soil scientists dish the dirt on biosolids safety and benefits
Aug. 19, 2010
External article Seattle Times
Rain-garden project aims to help gardens make the most of runoff water
July 29, 2010
External column, Seattle Times
Root out trouble: Noxious weeds grow quickly, choke out native plants
July 28, 2010
Celebrate Farmers Market Week and enjoy produce at the peak of perfection
June 15, 2010
External column, Seattle Times
Good times greening at local farmers markets
June 9, 2010
County employees garden for their health
Fruits of their labor will be given to the Pike Place Market Senior Center
June 6, 2010
External article, Seattle Times
Seattle yards become farms: Business grows from the ground up
Greening your Shoreline
How lakeside residents can improve shorelines for people and salmon.
June 1, 2010
King County experts to show you that ‘It’s Easy Being Green’ at Green Festival
May 25, 2010
Unwanted chemicals – what is the safe way to dispose of them?
April 30, 2010
External report, KING5 News
King County seasonal farmers markets kick off this weekend
April 15, 2010
External article, Seattle Times
Seattle piles on to its national leadership in composting
March 30, 2010
King County Noxious Weed Program helping Bellevue fight tough forest invader
Seasonal battle begins against garlic mustard, giant hogweed, other invaders
Feb. 24, 2010
Stretch your food budget by growing veggies in one of King County’s popular garden plots
Feb. 23, 2010
Help restore habitat – one tree at a time – at King County native plant salvage event
March 6 native plant salvage in Black Diamond; Volunteers also needed at nursery
Feb. 3, 2010
Grow a sustainable backyard with free advice from King County at NW Flower & Garden Show
Sept. 24, 2009
External article, Seattle Times
Take a harvest tour of King County farms
Sept. 11, 2009
External article, Seattle P-I
EPA puts limits on 3 pesticides to protect salmon
Jul. 31, 2009
Celebrate state farmers market week with a trip to your local King County farmers market
Jul. 13, 2009
External article, Seattle P-I
Wash. prisoners plant seeds for conservation
Jun. 22, 2009
Farm-fresh produce abounds as King County offers 39 farmers markets
May 23, 2009
External article, Seattle Post-Globe
Gardening: Dairy farm's pasture plan helps revive Kincaid's lupine
Apr. 30, 2009
Community, students helping shape future of King County’s Skyway Park
Apr. 17, 2009
Act fast to get a King County Parks garden plot and enjoy fresh, affordable produce all summer
Mar. 9, 2009
External opinion, Seattle Times
Grow a veggie, save a country
Mar. 16, 2009
Council acts to reduce levels of harmful phosphorus in County lakes and streams
Patterson initiative limits use of fertilizers that choke oxygen out of waterways
Mar. 9, 2009
External article, Seattle Times
Seed companies have a bumper crop of customers
Feb. 25, 2009
Save ‘green’ on your produce bill by growing veggies in your own King County garden plot
Feb. 3, 2009
King County’s noxious weed list growing
Weed board now requires knotweed control on upper, middle Green River
Oct. 31, 2008
King County offers free ‘naturescaping’ session, native plant salvage, Nov. 12 in Maple Valley
Oct. 29, 2008
King County seeks volunteers for Nov. 1 native plant salvage work in Maple Valley, Sammamish
Oct. 7, 2008
Gardening tips, plant sale, information and tours offered at South Plant event, Oct. 18
Sept. 25, 2008
External opinion, Seattle P-I
Living food: Genius in farming
Sept. 22, 2008
External article, Seattle Times
Keep a green roof thriving with the right soil and plants
July 23, 2008
External opinion, Seattle P-I
Go native to help save the Sound
July 21, 2008
External article, Seattle P-I
Saving rain: How much is too much?
Collecting large amount runs afoul of 'archaic' law
July 14, 2008
External article, Environmental News Service
Washington State Drafts Rainwater Collection Rule
Ecology seeks comment collection and use of rainwater
July 11, 2008
External opinion, Seattle P-I
Puget Sound: We're the polluters
June 3, 2008
External Link, Seattle P-I
Growing in Seattle: Food aid from the home front
June 3, 2008
External Link, King 5.com
More Seattleites taking up gardening
May 2, 2008
Hunt is on for noxious weeds in King County
April 24, 2008
Public invited to tour Brightwater habitat restoration site on Saturday, May 10
April 24, 2008
Signature Landscape Services, Inc. newest company to join EnviroStars network
April 2, 2008
Springtime brings green gardens and savings during Northwest Natural Yard Days
Lakeside Living Landscape Design
Feb. 20, 2008
Exercise your green thumb in a garden plot; King County rents community garden space in Kent
Feb. 19, 2008
Flower & Garden Show: Let King County’s experts help you ‘plant right for your site’
Jan. 16, 2008
King County’s Native Plant Salvage Program seeks volunteers for habitat restoration
February 2 and March 1, 2008
Jan. 4, 2007
King County Noxious Weed Board meets Jan. 16 to discuss weed control list
County panel mulls changes to weed list as state requires control of 5 new weeds
Oct. 17, 2007
Lend a hand digging local plants with King County’s Native Plant Salvage Program
Jul. 11, 2007
King County promotes the importance of healthy soil
Construction standards improve soils, help preserve the environment
Jun. 14, 2007
External Article, Seattle P-I
Rent-a-goats gain foothold
Critters grow popular in city as cheap, chemical-free way to clear vegetation
Apr. 27, 2007
King County wants to rip out noxious weed problem by the roots
King County Noxious Weed Program offering free workshops for landowners
Apr. 6, 2007
Spring gardening savings begin with Northwest Natural Yard Days
Apr. 5, 2007
Home gardeners can lend a hand to Hmong flower farmers
Mar.15, 2007
Learn to create low maintenance, natural landscapes
Feb. 27, 2007
Save the environment one plant at a time
King County Exhibit - Northwest Yard and Garden Show
Jan. 3, 2007
King County’s noxious weed board meets Jan. 17; Noxious weed list could grow by three
Dec. 20, 2006
Become an expert in the field of waste prevention
Register now for King County’s ‘Master Recycler Composter’ Program in 2007
Nov. 20, 2006
Free natural yard care workshop for landscapers Nov. 30
Nov. 14, 2006
Naturescaping workshops, native plant salvage in December
Oct. 18, 2006
Give a plant a new chance at life with King County’s Native Plant Salvage Program
Oct. 11, 2006
External Article, Seattle P-I
Low-impact methods have high impact on ecosystems
Rain barrels, green roofs play a key role in saving orcas
Oct. 11, 2006
External Article, Seattle P-I
Toxic stormwater is one of the Sound's biggest threats
Knowledge goes only so far in controlling polluted runoff
King County Parks Greenhouse/Nursery
Serving government agencies
King County wins "Best of Web" award
Citation is one of five for online excellence, including an award for our Northwest Native Plant Guide.
Aug 8, 2006
King County wins national honors for creative and innovative programs
National Association of Counties cites three outstanding King County programs
July 18, 2006
King County in a race against the clock to stop the spread of toxic tansy ragwort
June 17, 2006
External link, Seattle P-I
Going native - NW Gardens (scroll down to view)
June 14, 2006
King County offers noxious weed workshop to Vashon property owners, June 27
May 30, 2006
King County offers noxious weed workshops
May 26, 2006
Community garden plots available for rent at King County's Marymoor Park
May 25, 2006
King County Parks renting garden plots at Kent
May 2, 2006
External link, King County Journal
9 noxious weeds: pretty, but dangerous: County asking for public's help to wipe them out
May 1, 2006
King County encourages gardeners to 'go native'
New online native plant guide highlights Native Plant Appreciation Week
May 1, 2006
King County encourages landowners to get a jump on noxious weeds
Apr. 20, 2006
Spring savings helps local residents go natural
Natural Yard Care Guide
Learn the 5 steps:
- Build Healthy Soil
- Plant right for your site
- Practice smart watering
- Think twice before using pesticides
- Practice natural lawn care
Nov. 30, 2005
External link, Seattle P-I
To free urban forests from invaders, some weigh ban on noxious plants
Nov. 9, 2005
New Natural Gardening Show on KCTV
Easy care that's good for your yard and the environment
Apr. 12, 2006
Help restore the Duwamish River this Earth Day
Volunteers can plant native vegetation at Duwamish Waterway Park, other areas
Feb.7, 2006
Dig it: King County promotes ‘healthy soil' at Flower & Garden Show, Feb. 8-12 in Seattle
Jan. 30, 2006
Flower & Garden Show: Experts to dish the dirt at King County 'healthy soil' booth
Nov. 2, 2005
King County offers free naturescaping and plant salvage workshops
How you can take part in helping the Duwamish
Events Nov. 5 and Dec. 3.
Oct. 24, 2005
King County offers Duwamish communities natural solutions to protect the waterway, enhance yards
Oct. 12, 2005
Blooming deals found during fall planting promotions
Plants of Washington
Burke Museum Herbarium
Plant Identification Key
July 25, 2005
External link, Seattle P-I
Noxious -- or obnoxious -- county orders landowners to off invasive weeds
July 14, 2005
Summertime noxious weed workshops offered throughout King County
June 30, 2005
External link, Seattle P-I
Risk-to-salmon warnings on pesticides are upheld
June 21, 2005
Learn how to fight green invaders
King County offers Noxious Weed Workshop for rural landowners
June 6, 2005
Experiencing unwelcome guests in your garden?
External link, Seattle Times
Embrace Brown: this summer, why not water down our perfect-lawn ambitions?
May 9, 2005
County noxious weed specialists on the look out for infestations of the worst plant invaders
April 16, 2005
External link: Tacoma News Tribune
Saving up for those not-so-rainy summer days
April 15, 2005
National response to a locally growing threat
Strange Days on Planet Earth
April 14, 2005
Seattle and King County unveil 'Natural Yard Care Smart Watering for Dry Times Tool Kit'
March 25, 2005
King County offers free Naturescaping and Plant Salvage Workshops
Water Conservation Tips
March 9, 2005
Weeds, Gardens, Manure and Crops, OH MY!
March 9, 2005
'Global warming-like' conditions prompt Sims to lay out King County's immediate, future water planning efforts
Executive says King County won't hesitate to enact drought-response plan
Feb. 28, 2005
King County launches annual roadside weed control program
Request no herbicide spray with an agreement to maintain your roadside
Jan. 12, 2005
Purchase of surplus county land to help farmers market, innovative ag projects sprout in Woodinville
Nov 5, 2004
King County seeks volunteers to help salvage native plants near Redmond and give them new life
Oct. 22, 2004
Popular garden plant invading county's natural areas, proposed for state's Noxious Weed List
Sept. 24, 2004
Local farmers gearing up for King County Harvest Celebration Farm Tour
2004 Noxious Weed Board Meeting - October 20
Aug. 30, 2004
Sixth Annual Harvest Celebration Farm Tour Announced
Measuring for Results
Natural Resources and Parks Second Annual Performance Measures Report.
Jul. 12, 2004
Natural Yard Care sprouts in more neighborhoods
Entire communities learning about environmentally safe, healthy practices
Jun. 23, 2004
The Seattle Times Practical Gardener
Gardening wisely on the water's edge
Living With Lakes
Hints for home landscape and garden
Apr. 22, 2004
At Earth Day Expo, Sims urges residents to take personal action to protect the environment
Mar.31, 2004
Bert the Salmon's birthday wish - practice natural yard care this spring
Feb.9, 2004
King County's pesticide-free yard care message blossoms at Northwest Flower & Garden Show
Northwest Gardening Connection
Learn how to design and care for your personal landscape naturally, with a focus on non-toxic best practices
Jan. 28, 2004
Northwest Flower & Garden Show
Federal pesticide ruling re-affirms King County's message promoting natural yard and garden care
Jan.28, 2004
King County seeks volunteers to help salvage native plants near Newcastle and give them new life
Jan. 23, 2004
Limits imposed on pesticides
Judge orders chemical-free buffers near streams to protect salmon
Oct. 31, 2003
King County invites volunteers to salvage native plants
Oct. 31, 2003
Naturescaping Workshop provides opportunity to create low-maintenance, enviro-friendly landscapes
May 12, 2003
County seeks help to identify and eradicate invasive weeds - Garlic Mustard
Keepin' up with the Joneses
Apr. 1, 2003
King County set to begin noxious weed surveys
Mar. 20, 2003
Public Community Garden plots now available at Marymoor and North Green River parks
Mar. 14, 2003
Natural Yard Care program takes root in 7 Puget Sound cities
Blossoming enthusiasm keeps King County's eco-friendly residential initiatives green and growing
This Week:
Another award for a King County "show" garden
Feb. 7, 2003
(External Links, Seattle Post Intelligencer)
A call to clean up polluted runoff
Help salmon by donating native trees and shrubs for restoration projects
October 29, 2002
Innovative community teaching garden breaks ground
Puget Sound Shoreline Stewardship Guidebook
Read ecologically friendly tips to help beach and bluff shoreline residents maintain their property.
April 9, 2002
(external link, Seattle P-I)
City looks at ways to save water
April 7, 2002
(external link, Seattle Times)
County's recycling effort goes organic
April 3, 2002
(external link, Seattle P-I)
Weed-free lawns in Shoreline? Naturally