Jul 18, 2024 | Eco-friendly Gardening, Nature, Pest Control, Wildlife
Some people are afraid of bats, but we think bats are getting a bum rap. They play valuable roles in controlling pests, pollinating flowers and dispersing seeds. And you don’t need to fear them. Bat myths First, let’s dispel some bat myths. “Contrary...
Jun 17, 2024 | Eco-friendly Gardening, Garden Care, Landscape Care, Nature, Recommended Plants
Celebrate Pollinator Week, June 17-23. Pollinator Week is an annual celebration in support of pollinator health. Pollinators “are the unsung heroes behind the food we enjoy and the beauty that surrounds us,” said the Pollinator Partnership. Pollinators...
Jun 14, 2024 | Lawn Care, Pest Control
Does your lawn look like it has been rototilled? It is likely the result of hungry wildlife feeding on an invasive insect, the European chafer beetle, found in turf. People have reported major damage to their lawns, and local cities have seen destruction of athletic...
Jun 6, 2024 | Tree Care, Watering
Why you need to water It is very important to water your newly planted trees during the establishment period (first five years after planting). This is just as important as where you plant them for their long-term health and resilience. Planting a tree is a critical...
May 31, 2024 | Eco-friendly Gardening, Garden Care, Pest Control
We often talk about attracting bees and other pollinators to the garden. But pollinators are only one kind of beneficial insect. There are also predators, parasites and decomposers. All are important in a healthy yard and garden. In the Pacific Northwest there are...
May 16, 2024 | Garden Care, Landscape Care, Lawn Care, Watering
Think about Goldilocks and the Three Bears when you water your lawn and garden. Too little water and too much water are both bad for your plants. Water like Goldilocks: just right. Too little water Drought stress has a number of harmful impacts on garden plants. Lawns...
Apr 30, 2024 | Garden Care, Recommended Plants
People love roses. But they are notoriously difficult to grow in our western Washington climate. The moist, cool weather in western Washington is ideal for rose diseases such as black spot, rust and powdery mildew. Some of our most popular blog posts over the years...
Apr 25, 2024 | Community, Garden Care, Recommended Plants
The spring weather may have you thinking about your yard and garden. Maybe you’d like to buy new plants. Are you looking for vegetable starts? Or a shrub to fill in a bare spot? Or perennials to add some color? Plant sales are a wonderful place to buy new garden...
Apr 16, 2024 | Lawn Care
Would you like to help the earth in your own yard this Earth Day? Then change your lawn care practices. Growing a Bee Friendly Lawn will help our native bees, along with birds and other beneficial insects. And your lawn will look better, with less impact on the earth....
Apr 10, 2024 | Community, Eco-friendly Gardening, Nature
April is Earth Month, and April 22 is Earth Day 2024. We hope you will take time this month to connect with nature, expand your knowledge, join with others and take action to help the planet. Connect with nature Spring blossoms are emerging on trees and in yards...
Apr 4, 2024 | Pest Control
Moles are easy for homeowners to hate. When they discover mounds in their lawn or next to a beloved plant, most people want to deal with moles quickly and effectively. Unfortunately, dealing with moles is not easy, and many methods are not very effective. Here are...
Mar 21, 2024 | Lawn Care, Pest Control
What’s the deal with chafer beetles? The European chafer beetle is a serious lawn pest. The grubs feed on lawn roots in spring and fall. This kills the grass and leaves visible dead patches. The worst damage, however, comes from crows, raccoons, skunks and other...
Feb 28, 2024 | Disease Control, Garden Care, Video
The best time to prune roses in the Seattle area is late February through early March. You don’t want to do it too early in the season because pruning encourages new growth. “Pruning earlier than that risks the new growth getting killed off by bad weather,...
Feb 13, 2024 | Eco-friendly Gardening, Garden Care, Recommended Plants
Why mason bees? We love mason bees. These small, solitary bees are amazing pollinators. Each mason bee visits around 1,800 to 2,000 flowers a day, and they pollinate 95-99% of them. In comparison, a honeybee may visit 700 flowers a day and pollinate about 5% of them....
Jan 16, 2024 | Landscape Design, Video
This cold and rainy weather may keep us indoors, but it also provides an opportunity for reflection. Perhaps it is time to think about making changes to your landscape design. Imagine yourself outside in your yard last year. How did you use the space? How would you...
