Garden Notes

The best part about spring pruning is how great everything looks when it's done. Always check your specific plant's guidelines on when and how to prune.

Did you know you can dispose of noxious weeds from your property at the Camano Island Recycle Center at the foot of Camano Hill Road? When removing noxious weeds, wear gloves with arms protected from contact with leaves and stems, and a mask if you encounter pollen or wind-blown spray. Stuff the entire plant and root system into a black plastic garbage bag and tie the top securely.

Freshly pulled noxious weeds can be taken directly to the recycle center. Otherwise, to dispose of via trash pickup, let the black bag decompose over several weeks, then place it unopened in the trash. Never compost noxious weeds.

At the recycle center, pull up to the drive-by office with weeds fully contained in a secured bag and tell them which noxious weeds you have. You'll be asked for the source (your home address) for tracking, then directed to a specific dumpster — not the general debris or landfill one. There is no charge for noxious weed disposal.