Garden Care & Maintenance in Seattle

Maintenance Services -- $85/hour

Keep your yard looking tidy and vibrant with our hourly maintenance services. Ideal for small yards and gardens, we can help tend your space year-round. Know that your garden is in good hands and spend more time enjoying it while we take care of everything from weeding, pruning, mowing, and tidying. We use all organic methods, sustainable practices, and electric equipment.

Learn more about your garden’s relationship with the local ecology from our knowledgeable technicians, and enjoy the opportunity to support more pollinators and birds by letting us take a more environmental approach to yard maintenance. If you’re okay with it, we’ll use your fallen leaves as mulch around the existing plants to support soil health and nesting pollinators. We’ll also make recommendations on which flowers and seed heads to leave in the garden through the winter, to provide winter interest as well as bird forage, before we trim them low in the spring as the next year’s flowers get ready to bloom.

Comprehensive Garden Care & Maintenance Services

Regular Garden Maintenance Tasks

Lawn Mowing and Edging

Maintaining a healthy lawn requires regular mowing and edging. We recommend a consistent mowing schedule to promote strong, healthy grass growth. The frequency of mowing depends on the grass type and season, but generally, weekly mowing is ideal during the growing season. Proper edging is also crucial to creating clean, defined borders along pathways, flower beds, and other garden features. Alternating your mowing patterns each time helps prevent soil compaction and encourages even growth, resulting in a lush, vibrant lawn.

Weeding and Weed Control

Weed management is essential to maintaining a tidy and thriving garden. Effective weed removal starts with identifying the most common weeds in your garden. We offer both organic and chemical weed control options, depending on your preferences and the specific needs of your garden. Timing is critical for weed management—early intervention in the growing season can significantly reduce the weed population and make maintenance easier throughout the year.

Pruning and Trimming

Pruning is vital for the health and appearance of your plants. Different plant types require specific pruning techniques, and we tailor our approach to each plant’s needs. We follow seasonal pruning schedules to ensure optimal growth and blooming. For instance, early spring is ideal for pruning most shrubs and trees, while late summer is better for trimming flowering plants. Regular trimming not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your garden but also promotes plant health by removing dead or diseased branches and encouraging new growth.

Seasonal Garden Care in Seattle

Spring Garden Preparation

Spring is a critical time to prepare your garden for the growing season. We start by preparing the soil, ensuring it’s well-aerated and enriched with the necessary nutrients. Early-season plant selection is crucial, and we focus on choosing hardy plants that can thrive in Seattle’s unpredictable spring weather. Spring fertilization is also essential to give your plants the nutrients they need to flourish throughout the season.

Summer Garden Maintenance

Seattle’s dry summer months require strategic watering practices to keep your garden healthy. We emphasize deep, infrequent watering to encourage strong root development. In addition, summer is the peak time for pests and diseases, so we provide vigilant monitoring and management to protect your plants. Maintaining vibrant summer blooms involves deadheading flowers, managing soil moisture, and applying appropriate fertilizers.

Fall Garden Care

As Seattle transitions into the rainy season, fall garden care focuses on preparing your garden for the winter months. We recommend fall planting for bulbs and perennials, ensuring they establish strong roots before the cold sets in. Leaf removal is critical to prevent diseases and pests from overwintering in your garden, and composting fallen leaves can provide valuable nutrients for your garden. We also assess and adjust drainage systems to manage the increased rainfall typical of Seattle in the fall.

Winter Garden Protection

Winter in Seattle can be challenging for gardens, but proper protection can help your plants survive and thrive. We use techniques like winter mulching to insulate plant roots and protect soil from erosion. Frost protection measures, such as covering sensitive plants, are vital during cold spells. Managing winter rainwater drainage is also essential to prevent waterlogging and root rot.

 

Soil Health & Fertilization

Soil Testing and Amendment

Understanding your soil’s health is the foundation of a thriving garden. We conduct comprehensive soil tests to assess nutrient levels and pH balance, ensuring your soil meets the specific needs of your plants. In Seattle, soil amendment often involves adding organic matter, such as compost, to improve soil structure and fertility. Regular amendments help maintain a healthy, nutrient-rich environment for your plants.

Fertilization Strategies

Choosing the right fertilizer is crucial for promoting plant growth and resilience. We tailor our fertilization strategies to the needs of your garden, selecting the appropriate blend of nutrients for your plants. Timing is everything when it comes to fertilization—we schedule applications to align with your plants’ growth cycles for maximum effectiveness. We also weigh the pros and cons of organic versus synthetic fertilizers, considering factors like environmental impact and plant health.

Contact Us

At Rutheo Designs, we are dedicated to transforming your outdoor spaces into beautiful, sustainable landscapes that reflect your vision and the unique character of the Seattle area. Whether you’re looking to enhance your garden with native plants, need expert advice on water-efficient irrigation systems, or want to discuss a comprehensive landscape design, our team is here to assist you every step of the way. We understand that every project is unique, and we take the time to listen to your needs and offer personalized solutions that align with your goals and the local environment.

We invite you to reach out to us to start the conversation about your landscaping needs. You can contact us by email at connect@rutheodesigns.com or give us a call at (206) 888-6114. Whether you have specific questions or are ready to schedule a consultation, we’re eager to help you bring your outdoor vision to life with the care and expertise that Rutheo Designs is known for.