You can grow a garden that's not only beautiful and abundant, but also safe for children, pets, forests and streams.

More and more gardeners like you are using natural, nontoxic methods in the Portland metropolitan area, thanks in part to a growing circle of partners including Oregon State University Extension Service,local retailers, and the Do the Right Thing Project sponsors listed below. With your help, we can protect the health of people and pets and the quality of our water and natural areas through sustainable landscaping together.

• Online Pestiside Directory
  Grow Smart, Grow Safe-An interactive directory to find safe alternatives to pesticides.


• Metro's Online Calendar
  Metro's online calendar shows a full listing of all Metro natural gardening events sponsored by Do The Right Thing, plus other natural gardening events from around the region.


• Tour the Gardens of Natural Delights™
  See great organic home gardens on most Sundays, May through July. Registration opens April 30.


• Attend natural gardening workshops
  Get the latest tips and tricks from local gardening experts in free workshops at learning gardens and retail centers regionwide.


• Natural gardening videos and how-to resources
  Get tips from Metro's natural gardening expert, download gardening guides and publications, watch videos and discover more great resources for learning to garden without harmful chemicals


• Shopping guides for gardeners
  Discover new resources for gardeners including reviews of lawn and garden products in the Grow Smart, Grow Safe guide and $5-off coupons for natural supplies and plants at 38 local retailers.


• Natural gardening group presentations
  Schedule a free natural gardening presentation with a local garden expert for your club or community group.

Use the Least Toxic Pest Control Method Possible!

Good examples include:

• Hand Removal
• Barriers
• Traps
• Using Plants and Techniques to Attract "Good Bugs"

As a last resort, if you feel you really need it, use a less toxic pesticide approach like a natural soap recipe as follows: Insecticidal Soap Recipe:

• Use a liquid soap, not a detergent.
• Mix 1-2 tsp of liquid soap per quart of water.
• Do not use more soap than called for, as this is also harmful to plant vegetation.
• Apply to a test area of your infested plant and wait for a day. If your plant’s vegetation looks distressed or turns brown, dilute the soap solution with additional water before applying again. Carefully spray directly onto the insects and avoid overspraying onto other parts of the plant.