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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Don’t trash it; recycle it

Pat Munts Correspondent

Well, folks, its time to clean out the miscellaneous tidbit file that’s been collecting on my desk this spring, so here goes:

www.2good2toss.com

Are you working on a garden or home project that involves getting rid of perfectly good stuff that you just can’t keep or reuse yourself? Don’t trash it. Recycle it to another user. Check out a new Web site run by the Washington Department of Ecology and local solid waste systems all over the state, including the Spokane Solid Waste System: www.2good2toss.com.

The site’s object is to facilitate recycling and reusing building materials and larger household items that would otherwise end up in landfills or waste-to-energy facilities.

The Web site lets you list items you want to get rid of and look for things you could use listed by other people in your area. Each item has a short description and contact information for the person making the listing. Simply contact the party and complete the transaction. People listing items must reside in Washington. There is a limit on prices and the site is not intended to be a for-profit commercial listing. Read the complete list of terms and conditions of use at the Web site.

The Web site was developed in keeping with Ecology’s mission, as set forth in chapter 70.95 RCW, to reduce the volume of solid waste placed in the state’s landfills and waste-to-energy facilities through waste reduction, source separation, recycling and diversion.

Garden Photography Workshop with Allan Mandell

On Friday, Spokane garden photographers will have the rare opportunity to learn how to capture their gardens on film and in pixels from one of the Northwest’s best garden photographers, Allan Mandell.

Mandell’s work has been published in dozens of national gardening magazines and has graced the pages of more than 50 books. He has won numerous awards for his work.

The workshop, sponsored by The Inland Empire Gardeners, is designed to teach photographers how to see the garden rather than focusing on the technical aspects of photography. Film and digital equipment is welcome, but you should be familiar with its use. After a day of learning to create great shots, participants will have their work critiqued at a potluck at the end of the workshop. Cost is $60 and registration can be made by calling (509) 534-8434.

Pend Oreille County Master Gardener Plant Clinics open

Attention all Pend Oreille County gardeners: You now have two Master Gardener Plant Clinics to answer your questions. The clinics in Newport and Ione (the newest one) are open on Thursdays. They will operate through the last Thursday in August. Ione’s North County Plant Clinic is in the town’s community center, 208 Blackwell, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays. Questions can be phoned in anytime to (509) 442-DIRT (3478), or e-mailed to ncplantclinic@povn.com.

The Newport Master Gardener Plant Clinic, now into its 15th season, is at the WSU/Pend Oreille County Extension office, by the Courthouse at 418 S. Scott St. Master Gardeners are available 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursdays. Questions can be called in at (509) 447-2401, or e-mailed to cmack@wsu.edu.

New product has long-lasting effect

Be aware that there is a new Roundup® product on the market this spring that does not lose its potency in the short time frame (two weeks) most of us are accustom to. Roundup® Extended Control Weed & Grass Killer Plus Weed Preventer Concentrate not only kills grasses and weeds to the root as we are used to, but also prevents the plants from growing for up to three months. This means, if you use it on an area, don’t expect to come back and plant anything in the same area for three months. Like regular Roundup®, it will kill any plant and doesn’t discriminate between weeds and plants you want to keep. It comes in a tan bottle rather than the familiar white one. This is a classic case of why you should always carefully read the directions on the label, and then follow them before applying any chemical even if you have used it before. Products change, so keep a vigilant eye out.