Frequently asked questions.

What about pesticides in the gardens?

Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) manages all fertilizer and pesticide use in the gardens. Please see the Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program website for more detailed information. The following information helps explain PP&R’s IPM approach.

PP&R manages more than 11,500 acres of city land, including natural areas, developed parks, and public golf courses. PP&R uses a robust, scientific, and research-based IPM program to guide our treatment protocols. Most PP&R property is not treated with chemicals. The majority of weed suppression PP&R does in developed parks is accomplished through timed mowing, mulching, manual removal, or other non-chemical means.

Per IPM protocols, PP&R never uses herbicides on wood-chipped playground areas.  PP&R very rarely makes applications to general turf and would only do so for restoration purposes. PP&R does target certain areas such as tree circles, fence lines, shrub beds, and some park infrastructure. It is important to control weeds in these areas to protect tree root flares, protect plantings, and maintain park amenities. These are areas that do not have the option to be mowed. PP&R tries to prevent weeds from growing in these areas to keep visibility and not allow for trash, sharps, or hazardous waste to be hidden. If applications are made it is generally only 1-2 applications a year to those select areas.

When applications are made, a small amount of diluted product is applied right on the leaf of the plant. This targeted approach minimizes the amount we apply. PP&R requires staff to have a license from the Oregon Department of Agriculture. This gives them proper training on how to make an application and protect themselves, the public, and the environment. Notification signage is put out during the application.

All products approved for use within the IPM program are continually scrutinized to ensure that PP&R’s use of these materials will not put park patrons, employees, or the environment at risk. Good IPM is based on sound, science-based information. PP&R practices and approaches have been evaluated repeatedly and concluded to be consistently low impact and reputable by an independent council of environmental toxicologists, water quality specialists, and fish biologists, which resulted in the repeated designation of the IPM program as Salmon Safe.