Exemplifying pesticide reduction

Public gardens play an important and unique role in integrated pest management (IPM). As places that attract and captivate large groups of people, they are able to lead by example while creating a safe place for botanical education and appreciation. Public gardens range from vegetable to pollinator gardens, arboretums to conservatories, and many more niche garden spaces. Each garden has their own settings, challenges and goals, but all should aim for best pest management practices. This includes reducing application of pesticides likely to cause consequences for non-target organisms, including human health concerns, pollinator decline, and other detrimental effects. Members of the American Public Garden Association were asked to anonymously fill out an IPM survey to gauge the goals, objectives, and progress of public gardens in relation to pesticide and biological control use. Number of people designated for IPM, greatest concerns related to pesticide use, and the extend of the public garden's biological control program are all explored in the survey. Along with survey results, possible pesticide reduction methods for public gardens are presented, including release and conservation of biological control, utilizing volunteers and staff, and growing plants appropriate for the growing environment.