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Responsible Use of Garden Chemicals
On this page find how to apply various garden pest and disease-control chemicals—including herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides—safely and effectively, including:
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- The proper ways to use garden pest and disease controls in a home vegetable garden.
- Why least-toxic pest and disease controls should be tried before more powerful control agents in home vegetable gardens.
- Principles and methods to follow in treating vegetable pests and diseases.
- A step-by-step demonstration of how to safely apply garden chemical pest and disease control sprays to vegetable plants.
Using Last-Resort Treatments
Apply garden chemicals—pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides, as well as some fertilizers, insecticidal soaps, and other compounds—as a last resort after all other control methods have failed [see Integrated Pest Management].
Make the smallest application possible, directly treating only plants with active infestations or infections, and using safety and health precautions.
Remember for safety, that vegetables intended for consumption should never be eaten before the waiting period noted on the control agent’s directions has expired. Always wash greens, produce, and other vegetables prior to eating or cooking them.
When applying any product to vegetables, read completely and follow exactly the manufacturer’s label instructions. Always follow this precaution, even with botanical, organic, or other products labeled as safe for use on vegetables.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Choose a pest, disease, weed, or other control agent that is approved for both the specific condition and the vegetable plant.
Before beginning the project, read all the manufacturer’s directions and warnings, and follow them completely.
On a wind-free day with moderate temperatures, gather your control agent, a measuring cup, implements, an applicator, rubber gloves, protective clothing, and a respirator, then follow these steps:
How To Apply Garden Chemicals
Read completely and follow exactly all package label directions. Wear protective clothing, gloves, and a respirator while mixing control agent solutions.
Measure and mix as directed only the required quantity of the control agent, using disposable containers and utensils.
Carefully fill a spray-applicator bottle or hose-end sprayer with the diluted and mixed control solution, taking care to avoid any spillage.
Apply the control directly to the pest or infected foliage, wetting it, as directed on the package label.
Apply the control to leaf undersides, branches, and stems that may hide pests, their eggs, and fungal spores.
Avoid overspraying outside the treatment area with affected plants.
Thoroughly wash the applicator when finished.
Dispose of mixing utensils, any mixed and unused control agents, and any empty bottles as directed on the package.
Dispose of most empty and washed bottles in household waste. Avoid recycling such bottles.
While wearing a respirator, wash protective garments and gloves with soap and water, then set out to dry.
Use these garments only for applying garden chemicals.
Always wash your hands thoroughly with bar soap and water when you finish spraying.
When clean-up is complete, remove and clean the respirator.
WARNING
All garden pest and disease control agents pose personal hazard if ingested or make contact with skin or the eyes.
Always wear eye-protection, gloves, protective clothing, and a respirator to mix, apply, or dispose of garden chemicals.
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