Check out these natural gardening programs offered all around the region by Metro and its partners. Please note that some partner programs have an associated fee.
Natural gardening
Sustainable living › Natural gardening
You can grow a garden that's not only beautiful and abundant, but also safe for children, pets, forests and streams. Find out how with tips from Metro's experts, workshops, learning gardens, guides and more.
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Natural gardening videos and how-to resources
Get tips from Metro's natural gardening expert, download gardening guides and publications, watch videos and discover more great resources for learning to garden without harmful chemicals...More
Is your garden chemical toxic?
Metro’s Grow smart, grow safe guide is now a searchable interactive directory, too. Discover the least hazardous products and practices for a healthy, productive garden and a safer yard. More
Shopping guides for gardeners
Download a $5 coupon, compliments of participating retailers, Metro and OSU Extension Service...More
Natural gardening group presentations
Schedule a free natural gardening presentation with a local garden expert for your club or community group...More
Visit Metro's learning gardens
Find inspiration, see natural techniques at work and get hands-on help at Metro's demonstration gardens. Invite Metro's mobile native plant garden to your community event...More
Making our region sustainable through gardening: a joint venture
More and more gardeners like you are using natural, nontoxic methods in the Portland metropolitan area, thanks in part to a growing circle of partners including Oregon State University Extension Service and local retailers. With your help, we can protect the health of people and pets and the quality of our water and natural areas through sustainable landscaping together.
Related topics
Guide to effective composting
Learn how you can save money and reduce waste by composting certain food scraps and yard waste. See information on different methods, and read about easy solutions to composting problems.
Managing moss safely
Choose less-toxic ways to handle the moss in your yard or on your roof or patio.
Rain gardens
Some gardens are planted for a specific purpose, like growing good things to eat or flowers to pick. A rain garden's purpose is to catch rain water with its plants and soil.
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503-234-3000
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Help shape the future of the region by joining Opt In, Metro's online opinion panel. You'll be entered into drawings to win gift cards, event tickets and more.Go
Featured instructor
Meet Weston Miller
This Oregon State University horticulture expert has a wide range of gardening experience to share. Read more
Protected by voters
Natural areas, parks and trails
Thanks to voters, Metro has preserved 11,000 acres of natural areas, protected 90 miles of rivers and streams, supported hundreds of community projects and opened three large nature parks. Learn more
New tool
Grow Smart, Grow Safe
Metro’s guide to hundreds of pesticides, fertilizers and soil amendments has gone interactive. Check the new searchable directory to find lawn and garden products least hazardous to people, pets and the planet.
pledge online
Take the pesticide-free pledge and get a handsome yard sign
Pledge to choose the least-toxic methods for managing pests in your home and garden and receive a free yard sign. The pledge is easy – simply fill out the form, put up your sign and talk to at least three people about your pledge. Go
Natural gardening videos
Moss
Is it beastly or beautiful? You should keep moss off your sidewalk and roof, but it can be a gorgeous, no-maintenance feature of your landscape. Find out how with Metro's natural gardening expert Carl Grimm on KATU TV's AM Northwest. This and other videos show you how easy it is to grow green. Browse videos