In preparation for spring, clean out and dispose of out-of-date chemicals used in the garden. The "disposing" part is the hardest. Do not dump them in the gutter! Do not pour them down the drain!
Most cities have a hazardous materials waste disposal procedure for pesticides. Some even have special collection sites where you can bring your out-of-date chemicals for proper disposal. Check with your water department to see if one is available in your city.
As always, it's best if you can use all the chemicals before the season ends. (That doesn't mean use more than is necessary to complete the task, however.)
And while we're on the subject of checking dates....
If you purchasing a container of milk, would you buy it if the "sell by" date was two weeks ago? Of course not! Do the same when purchasing or using biological controls for use in the garden.
Bio-controls are living organisms, and some have a short shelf-life. Predatory mites, for example, can live only a few days inside their shipping container. They should always be mailordered using express mail services.
Lacewings and Trichogramma miniwasps are also best mailordered. The lacewing larvae only last a few days in their mailing bag, and the miniwasp eggs will hatch in as little as 72 hrs.
Likewise, beneficial nematodes and beneficial protozoans have shelf-lives which vary from 90 to 145 days, depending upon storage conditions.
Even BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) has limitations on its effectiveness if not stored in proper conditions.
Check with your retailer if you do not see an expiration, "sell by" or "lot" date. If in doubt, call the distributor or wholesaler to find out about the shelf-life. That way, you'll be certain you're getting what you paid for.
To read previous tips, click on the Articles link to your left. To read or ask questions associated with this workshop or other questions and answers, click on the Discussions link.
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