All Gardeners that apply pesticides are Licensed Public Operators.

Integrated Pest Management

Basic Concept:
Evaluate the pest and the impact it has on the target plant
Develop a tolerance level of damage that is acceptable before action is taken
Develop strategies to deal with the pest:

- Cultural
- Pesticides
- Natural
- Do Nothing

Take the least harmful path to the plant, public and environment
Document action in database
Always look for ways to deal with pest naturally

Chemical control is only one of many tools that can be used to maintain our grounds:
No gardener is asked or told to spray or use pesticides.
All pesticides applied are used at the lowest rate possible. The areas we spray are flagged ahead of time. All pesticides are applied by licensed applicators.
The harmful effect of pesticides when properly applied is debatable. There are two sides to the story. If the pesticides we use were dangerous they would not be applied.
We do not use any insecticides to any great extent. If weed control is required then the gardeners can use mechanical methods.