Safe and natural yard care is a concept that Seattle has embraced, placing it ahead of many cities across the nation. To that end, the city's Green Gardening Program promotes safe and natural yard care for consumers and has released a list 17 nurseries in King County that sell natural yard care products.

Swanson's Nursery, Fremont Gardens and Sky Nursery are three of the local stores working to educate customers about green gardening.

Brad Siebe, general manager at Swanson's said his store stopped selling the popular "weed and feed" type of fertilizers 15 years ago.

"It's not environmentally responsible to broadcast weed and feed over a large area," Siebe said.

According to the publication "Grow Smart, Grow Safe," written by Philip Dickey of the Washington Toxics Coalition and co-sponsored by King County, lawn and garden pesticides are some of the most hazardous products in the home.

These products may kill insects, weeds and plant diseases but can be toxic to children and wildlife. They can also cause harm to beneficial insects such as bees and ladybugs.

Rainwater can wash pesticides into Puget Sound streams. Studies have found up to 25 different pesticides in streams. Weed and insect chemicals have been linked to increased cancer risks.

Because of concerns for salmon and water quality in the Northwest, people are more environmentally responsible than other parts of the region.

Siebe said his store partners with the city to educate consumers about safe and alternative treatments for pest problems so people can make a good decision.

"Customers are very receptive. The whole environmental awareness and ecological sustainability has become more mainstream than it used to be," said Siebe.

Organic and natural products used to be a fringe market. Now there are more natural products than just ten years ago.

The city encourages people to leave their grass clippings in their yard to avoid overloading their composting facilities. The clippings can fertilize a lawn.

Swanson's has organic products made with soil microbes that help compost the soil. There are vegetable-based fertilizers. A weed preventer is made of corn glutton. Essential oils made with rosemary, cinnamon and garlic help control pests. A product called "Rose Defense" is made from oil from neem trees found in Africa and Australia. It helps with insect and disease control.

" There's a huge demand and awareness for the market," said Siebe.

For more information visit www.ci.seattle.wa.us/util/rescons. Residents can also email questions to: lawn&gardenhotline@seattletilth.org.

Swanson's Nursery is located at 9701 15th Avenue N.W. Fremont Gardens address is 4001 Leary Way N.W. Sky Nursery is at 18528 Aurora Avenue N.