Blog
Climate change and your landscape
When we started In Harmony in 1986, no one was talking about climate change. In recent years, it is hard not to talk about it. Climate change is having big impacts on our landscapes. We need to learn to deal with the changing reality.
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!...
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,...
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...
It’s time to think about watering; check out our watering resources
Spring is a good time to think about how much water your plants will need this growing season and how you will provide it. Our watering resources will help you water properly to keep your plants healthy. Last year we had very little rain in May and June. Some plants...
Time to water! Check out our watering resources
Hot weather is predicted over the next week. Don’t forget to water! Over the past few summers we have seen an increasing amount of drought stress in our clients’ landscapes. We are sad to see plants suffer from lack of water. As our summers get hotter and...
Watering will help manage insect problems
If you have plants with insect problems, the worst action you can take is not watering the plants. Many insects only target weak plants. When a plant goes into any kind of stress, it has a different color. This sends a different vibration that is picked up by insects....
Smart watering: how much, when and how long to water
Our current warm, sunny weather is the beginning of the dry season. Your plants will need water throughout the summer. Here are some tips on smart ways to water. Water slowly and deeply for healthy plants. The best practice is to water deeply and less often. Shallow,...
Choose drought-tolerant plants and reduce time you spend watering
May is a great time to add plants to your garden that will thrive in dry weather. Every week you will find big plant sales, and nurseries are stocking a wide range of plants. This week both the Master Gardeners of both King County and Snohomish County are having...
Invest in watering for landscape dividends
The warm and sunny weather we have had this week is a precursor of the hot, dry summer we can expect ahead. In an average year, Seattle’s monthly rainfall is five or six inches in December and January but less than an inch in July and August. Watering your...
Plants need water to survive and thrive
“Plants can’t survive without water.” I bet you won’t find anyone who will disagree with that statement. But many homeowners act as if it wasn’t true. They let their plants go for months during the dry summer season without giving them...
