West Seattle Fall Cleanup
Homeowner’s Issue
West Seattle yards get a lot thrown at them come fall: big deciduous trees in Admiral and Highland Park dump yards for weeks, coastal winds from Alki layer wet leaves into gutters, and shady slopes around Schmitz Preserve stay damp long after rain stops. Our heavy clay-loam pockets compact easily, while raised fill on newer builds drains fast and buries bulbs if leaves pile up. Rain runs off hard surfaces in short storms, so blocked drains and soggy beds are common—moss and English ivy love those conditions and outcompete native groundcovers if you don’t act.
HOAs and neighbor sightlines matter here; tidy edges and cleared walkways reduce complaints and slip hazards. West Seattle’s moderate sun—full sun on south-facing slopes, deep shade under cedars—means some beds need fall mulching to protect roots, while others need pruning to reduce winter wind damage. Sustainable approaches (raking, composting, mulching, hand-weeding, targeted pruning) keep debris out of storm drains and local streams. We avoid chemical herbicides, prefer green-bin or compost haul-away, and plan work around Seattle’s long rainy season so your yard isn’t left muddy or vulnerable to erosion.
Our Quality Service
We clear leaves, prune perennials and shrubs, edge beds, and apply organic mulch using handheld tools, battery blowers, and compact trailers for haul-away. Jobs typically take half a day for a modest lot, one to two days for larger or sloped properties; tight access or extensive pruning adds time.
Local insights:
- We mulch before prolonged wet weather to insulate roots and suppress winter weeds.
- On steep lots or near bioswales we use erosion-control fabric and organic cover, not herbicides.
- We plan around heavy rain and high-tide wind events common near Alki and Lincoln Park.
Benefits: safer walkways, cleaner gutters, reduced winter rot, lower long-term maintenance, and better curb appeal without toxic inputs.
What’s Included
- Leaf collection and removal (raked or blown), with choice: green-bin drop or hauled to compost.
- Garden bed tidy: dead annuals removed, perennial crowns tidied, and light pruning of shrubs.
- Edging and path cleanup for clean lines and HOA-friendly appearance.
- Organic mulch application to beds at recommended depths.
- Haul-away of wood and branches; smaller logs can be left on-site for wildlife habitat on request.
Options / Upgrades:
- Mulch + landscape fabric for high-weed areas (fabric limited to select beds).
- Manual ivy and moss reduction (no herbicides).
- Soil test and organic amendment (compost, leaf mold).
- Gravel path refresh or rock top-up.
- Seasonal planting of hardy natives for low maintenance.
Before & After / Expectations
Expect noise (battery blowers, saws) and some mess during the job—our crews clean and haul most debris the same day. On sloped or very wet sites we stage materials on paved areas and may need more time to avoid rutting. If green-bin pickup is available at your street, we’ll separate and leave appropriate bags; otherwise we’ll haul to compost.
Care tips for West Seattle:
- Water newly mulched beds only during dry spells in fall; avoid overwatering before heavy rains.
- Watch for moss in shady north-facing beds—raking and improved drainage help more than chemicals.
- Pull young ivy early in the season; persistent patches need repeat hand-removal.
- Plan pruning after most leaves drop but before hard freezes for best structure.
FAQs
- How long will it take? Small yards: half-day. Standard lots: 1 day. Larger or steep sites: 1–2 days.
- Do you use herbicides? No. We use hand removal, mulches, and organic methods only.
- Can you compost on-site or haul away? Both. We’ll separate green waste for curb pickup or haul to a compost facility.
- Will the crew need water/electric access? Usually no. We bring battery tools; water access only for large mulch jobs.
Call to Action
If you’re in West Seattle—Admiral, Highland Park, Alki, or near Lincoln Park—and want a neat, sustainable fall cleanup done right, book a free estimate. Quick scheduling, local experience, and straightforward pricing. Email us: neatandtidyseattle@gmail.com
Licensed • Insured • Local crew with 15 years in Seattle landscapes.
