Melissa Brown, Project Manager WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardeners have tips for you to \u201cgreen\u201d up your lawn. Some people want every blade to be perfect and others are much more casual. Master Gardeners have information for any level of lawn care preference.<\/p>\n Ready for some healthy grass?<\/a> <\/a> We offer free presentations<\/b> in Clark County, WA about growing a great lawn. These are an hour or so in duration and are usually held indoors.\u00a0Presentations are suited for HOAs, neighborhood associations, garden clubs, or service groups.<\/p>\n These “natural lawn care” methods care save you money and protect your family and the environment at the same time.<\/p>\n <\/a> In addition to the indoor presentation, we also offer free on-site, hands-on outdoor demonstrations<\/b> in season (March \u2013 October) for groups of six or more neighbors. Demonstrations take place near a lawn or grassy area and involve hand tools.<\/p>\n To schedule a presentation or demonstration, contact Melissa Brown, project manager, at melissa.brown1@wsu.edu<\/a> or (360) 947-5524 (text preferred).<\/a><\/p>\n <\/a>Online resources<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Our program is part of a larger effort called “What’s Your Lawn Style”? The web page for What\u2019s Your Lawn Style<\/a> offers information on \u201cgreen\u201d lawn care without toxins, including short videos that detail lawn care steps you can take without using toxins, whether you are interested in low input, medium effort, or dedicated lawn care.<\/p>\n <\/a>Why is natural lawn care so important?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The herbicide 2,4-D, which kills weeds, is a potential carcinogen for people. It also can make children or pets ill right away and harms aquatic life, such as fish. We are working in partnership with Clark County\u00a0and others to reduce use of weed-and-feed products that are a source of 2,4-D.<\/p>\n For more on the downsides of weed and feed and alternatives to the product,\u00a0watch this short video<\/a>\u00a0from our friends at OSU Master Gardeners and their What\u2019s Your Lawn Style campaign.<\/p>\n <\/a> We recommend hand-pulling or digging weeds and very careful use of spot-treatments for persistent broadleaf weeds. Be sure to follow instructions for packaged products.<\/p>\n While nitrogen is not itself toxic, excess nitrogen in fertilizer is a problem. Plants can only take up a certain amount of nutrients at a time. If we apply too much at once, the fertilizer ends up in our rivers and lakes. That creates conditions for toxic algae that ruins the water for humans and animals.<\/p>\n One way to avoid excessive nitrogen application is to time your fertilizing for when the grass is growing (late May and early October, for example). Use slow-release nitrogen or organic products. Calculate the amount you need using online tools and apply according to instructions. One such tool is here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nmelissa.brown1@wsu.edu
\n(360) 947-5524<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2079\/2025\/09\/GUYL_Banner_ParachuteDesign_09.19.2025-396x145.png\")
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\nWe will come to your neighborhood<\/a>
\nNeed online resources right now about natural lawn care?<\/a>
\nWhy is natural lawn care so important?<\/a>
\nWhat can you do to reduce toxins?<\/a>
\nOur partners for Green Up Your Lawn<\/a><\/p>\n
\nReady for some healthy grass?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n
\nFree workshops for your neighborhood<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n![\"Gardener](\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2079\/2025\/09\/GUYL_Web_Spreader_Adobe_09.19.2025-e1758314709650-396x338.png\")
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\nWhat can you do to reduce use of toxins on your lawn?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
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