My, how it’s changed: 25 years of In Harmony and landscape pesticide use
In honor of our 25th anniversary, this is the first of several blog posts about changes we have seen in landscape practices over time.
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Summer reading: enjoy a great book about gardening
August is a great time to lounge outside with a good book and a cold drink. Here’s an idea for your leisure time: read a book about gardening that will both entertain and educate you. Here are three recommendations. Cheers! Second Nature: A Gardener’s Education...
It’s time to water your trees!
We are seeing signs of drought stress in many of our clients’ trees. Perhaps leaves have wilted, turned brown or dropped. Perhaps twigs, or even small branches, have dropped. Are you seeing these signs in any of your trees? The time to water your trees is now!...
Don’t top your tree for views
Perhaps you have a large tree that is blocking your view of the water or mountains. Some people think the solution is to top the tree to make it shorter. That is not a good short-term or long-term strategy. Trees may enhance your view by framing the vista and adding...
Corn gluten: natural food for drought-stressed lawns
Lawns take a beating in the summer from hot and dry conditions. We use corn gluten to help dormant and drought-stressed lawns. If you are an In Harmony lawn care client, one of our service techs will apply it to your lawn this summer. Corn gluten is an all-natural...
Creating sanctuary in your landscape
At In Harmony, we design landscapes for social times as well as for solitude. We believe an important role of a landscape is to be a sanctuary or refuge. You may enjoy having a quiet place outside your home for meditation, healing or other purposes. Jessi...
Our yard care services use local, organic products
Our natural lawn, tree and shrub care services have always used organic products to build soil health. We choose a variety of products that feed soil microorganisms. These tiny critters work to keep plants healthy. What we use We are now using Hendrikus fertilizer...
Celebrate Pollinator Week
Next week, June 17-23, is Pollinator Week. Join others to celebrate pollinators in this annual national event. We love pollinators because they help flowers bloom and crops grow. Pollinators include bees, moths, wasps, butterflies, many insects and even bats. A third...
Design for a low-maintenance landscape
Do you spend too much time maintaining your garden and not enough time enjoying it? At In Harmony, we believe in designing and installing landscapes that will look good over the long term without requiring a lot of maintenance. A sustainable landscape is a beautiful...
7 tips for water-wise gardening
It’s only May, and large parts of Washington are already in a drought. On Monday Governor Inslee announced that he is declaring a drought emergency for nearly half the state. The emergency is caused by low snowfall and a lower than average snowpack. Fortunately,...
Soil is alive
At In Harmony, we talk a lot about building healthy soil. But what does that mean? Take a moment to consider: soil is alive. It is not just the dirt under your fingernails. Soil is teeming with tiny critters that work to keep plants healthy. Unfortunately, many urban...
Hot weather, time to water!
Local temperatures could soar to record levels later this week. Seattle may be warmer than Phoenix, an unusual occurrence. Friday’s highs are forecast to be in the mid-80s F in Seattle and lower 80s F in Phoenix. It is time to water your landscape. Your lawn and...
New plants? Choose wisely and water well
In April and May, nurseries and plant sales are bursting with plants. From shrubs and trees to annuals and perennials, there are many gorgeous choices. As our summers get hotter and drier, it is worth seeking out plants that will thrive, once established, with little...
Add mulch now to reduce summer water needs
A thick layer of mulch is an effective way to reduce your plants’ water needs. A few inches of mulch insulates the soil and helps to keep it from drying out. As our summers get hotter and drier, mulch is increasingly important to help keep your plants and trees from...
