West Seattle Landscape Gravel Refreshing
Homeowner’s Issue
Gravel beds in West Seattle wear out faster than most homeowners expect because of our mix of heavy winter rains, clay pockets in older lots, and shaded slopes that hold moisture. Between rainfall, sea breezes near Alki, and runoff from steep streets in neighborhoods like Admiral and High Point, gravel can compact, sink, wash into gutters, or get overrun with moss and grass. Curb strips and driveways see salt and grit in winter; front-yard beds under large maples or cedars get constant leaf litter and slow drying, which invites moss and perennial weeds.
Homeowners here face HOA and neighborhood expectations for tidy edges and clear sightlines, yet many want low-maintenance, sustainable solutions that handle heavy fall/winter rains and summer watering limits. Standard fixes—topping with a few inches of new rock—often fail if the base is compacted, drains poorly, or if roots and weeds are left in place. Our approach targets the soil, grading, and long-term weed pressure so gravel behaves like a functional surface: shedding water, staying level, and looking intentional year-round without chemicals.
Our Quality Service
We assess the site, correct grade and drainage, remove invasive roots, and replace or top aggregate with material sized and colored for West Seattle conditions. We use hand tools, plate compactors, and light machinery sized for residential access; work typically takes one day for small areas and 1–2 days for larger or sloped sites.
Local insight: we account for clay or sandy loam, stormwater flow from adjacent streets, and seasonal rainfall. We never use herbicides—only organic and mechanical weed control, fabric or geo-grid where appropriate, and finished-in-place compost or mulch on adjacent planting beds. Benefits include improved safety, better curb appeal, reduced weeding, and a gravel surface that lasts through Puget Sound winters.
What’s Included
- Site visit and graded assessment.
- Hand removal of weeds, moss, and surface roots.
- Raking and screening or removal of compacted old gravel.
- Regrading for positive drainage and slope stabilization.
- Placement of fresh gravel to specified depth and compaction.
- Clean-up and hauling of debris.
Options / Upgrades
- Landscape fabric or permeable geo-grid underlayment.
- Mulch + fabric transitions for nearby planting areas.
- Organic weed-control follow-up (manual/thermal) instead of chemicals.
- Haul-away load vs. curbside green bin disposal (client preference).
Before & After / Expectations
Expect noise from compactors and truck traffic on service day, and a temporary working zone while we regrade. We’ll protect plantings and pathways and leave the site tidy; larger hauls may require a short driveway block. Fresh gravel settles—plan on minor topping or re-raking after the first heavy fall.
West Seattle care tips: water new plantings in adjacent beds early morning during summer droughts; hand-pull weeds in spring and early fall when roots are shallow; scrape moss in shaded beds in late spring after the wet season. Avoid power washing gravel—use a rake or leaf blower on low setting.
FAQs
Q: How long before the gravel is usable?
A: Walkable the same day; heavier traffic best after compaction settles in 1–2 days.Q: Do you use herbicides to control weeds?
A: No. We use mechanical, manual, and organic methods only.Q: Will this help drainage on sloped lots?
A: Yes. We regrade and install underlayment or geo-grid to control erosion and direct runoff.Q: Do you handle haul-away?
A: Yes. We offer full haul-away or can load for curbside green waste depending on material.
Call to Action
West Seattle homeowners: book a free estimate and get a realistic plan that fits West Seattle drainage and HOA needs. We schedule quickly, work sustainably, and leave lasting results.
Email: neatandtidyseattle@gmail.com
Phone: 206-538-9344
Trusted local expertise—timed for Seattle rains, without herbicides.
