Pesticide ban coming to Alberta Canada

Come January, many lawn enthusiasts will have to find alternative ways to keep things green, and weed free.

As of Jan. 1, 2010, fertilizer combined with herbicide products will no longer be allowed to be sold or used in Alberta.

These products, commonly called weed and feed, are usually applied to entire lawns, regardless of where weeds are, resulting in over application of the herbicide 2,4-D.

Approximately 50 per cent of herbicide used on urban lawns are fertilizer and herbicide combined products.

Cochrane Environmental Action Committee (CEAC) chair Tim Giese said weed and feed herbicide products have been on the group’s radar for some time, and they were pleased with the ban.

Giese said many people have been sold on the idea that weeds are ugly and ruin lawns.

"We bought into that hook, line and sinker.”

Giese said when combination products are applied, and then water is added, it creates runoff — eventually washing the chemicals into the watershed.

"It ends up in the Bow River or in Big Hill Springs Creek.”

By doing things like naturescaping and using native species of grasses, bushes, and tree’s, homeowners can further cut back on their environmental foot print.

"Once naturescaping is established there’s no upkeep.”

For more information on the ban or a list of products visit http://environment.alberta.ca/3613.html.