West Seattle Quarterly Mulch Service
Homeowner’s Issue
West Seattle yards see a lot: winter rain, shady slopes, salty air on the Alki side, and sun-scoured exposures on the higher ridges. Our soils are a mixed bag—rocky glacial till under pockets of silty loam—so beds compact in winter and dry out in summer. That makes weeds and moss the regular headaches; shaded north-facing beds and heavy-canopy yards around Lincoln Park hold moisture and harbor moss and ivy, while yards on the Admiral slopes get baked and shed soil during heavy rains.
HOAs and neighbors expect tidy edges and tidy sightlines here, so a messy bed is more visible than in other neighborhoods. Narrow driveways and street parking in older lots mean access for haul-away or equipment is often constrained. Add Seattle’s late-spring flush of annual weeds and occasional summer watering requests during drought advisories, and you’ve got a landscape that benefits from scheduled, sustainable care. Quarterly mulching reduces erosion on slopes, cushions root zones, suppresses spring flushes of weeds, and returns organic matter to tired soils—without herbicides. In short: plan for moisture management, shade-tolerant plant choices, and mulch cycles timed around our rainy season and summer dry spells.
Our Quality Service
We provide seasonal, organic mulch refreshes done with practical local know-how. We start with a walk-through to assess soil, slope, and sun exposure, then hand-weed, edge, and apply 2–3” of composted organic mulch. For steeper lots we add erosion-control tactics like anchoring mulch, minor berms, or coir logs as needed.
Tools and methods: hand tools, mechanical edger, leaf blowers for cleanup, wheelbarrows, and small loader for large properties. No herbicides—only hand-pulling, root removal, and organic compost topdressings. Typical timeline: small West Seattle yard (up to 2,000 sq ft) takes 2–4 hours; medium yards 4–6 hours. Quarterly cadence is spring, early summer tune-up, late summer check, and fall refresh—adjusted for rain and local water restrictions.
Benefits: safer walkways, reduced erosion on slopes, fewer weeds between visits, improved soil structure, and a cleaner curb appearance that fits Admiral, Alaska Junction, and Alki streets.
What’s Included
- Site assessment and mulch plan tailored to slope and exposure.
- Hand-weeding and targeted root removal (no herbicides).
- Mulch application: 2–3” of organic mulch, correctly kept off trunks.
- Edging and light pruning for clean lines.
- Sweep/blow and green waste haul or prepared for city green bin.
Options / Upgrades:
- Mulch over landscape fabric for high-traffic beds.
- Compost topdress and soil amendment for tired beds.
- Planting of low-maintenance native or drought-tolerant groundcovers.
- Haul-away vs. leave-in green waste piles for city pickup.
- Moss and ivy extraction (labor-intensive; quoted separately).
Before & After / Expectations
Expect some noise and green waste during work—blowers, clippers, and wheelbarrows. Narrow streets or tricky driveways in West Seattle may require us to park on the street and hand-carry materials short distances; if your block needs a permit for larger gear we’ll flag that on estimate.
After mulching: color fades over months as mulch settles and decomposes; add a thin spring topdressing if you want fresh color. We leave beds tidy and walkways clear. On slopes, watch for small slips the first heavy rains—we recommend a short follow-up after big storms. Debris handling: we can haul to a green waste facility or load into your city green bin if accessible.
Care tips for West Seattle:
- Water new plantings during summer droughts in the morning; mulched beds need far less frequent watering.
- Re-check beds after heavy late-fall rains for washouts.
- Weed pressure spikes in late spring; schedule a tune-up then.
- Remove invasive ivy at the root and replace mulch promptly to prevent re-establishment.
FAQs
Q: Do you use herbicides?
A: No. We use only mechanical and manual methods plus organic mulches and compost—no herbicides.Q: How often should I schedule service?
A: Quarterly is our baseline for West Seattle; busy beds or visible curb properties may prefer bi-monthly visits.Q: Will you remove my old mulch?
A: Yes—we will rake and remove contaminated mulch or excessively compacted material. Haul-away is included in the quote or we can leave material for your green bin.Q: What about access and parking on steep streets?
A: We’ll note access constraints in the estimate. Many West Seattle lots need hand-carrying or small equipment; we price accordingly.Q: When is best to mulch?
A: Early spring and late fall are ideal for soil health. We time visits to avoid saturated winter soil and to prep beds before summer droughts.
Call to Action
West Seattle homeowners—if you want simple, sustainable mulch cycles that handle our rain, slopes, and shade, book a free estimate. We schedule quickly, work cleanly, and focus on lasting results without herbicides. Trusted local crews, practical solutions for Alki, Admiral, and Lincoln Park yards.
Email: neatandtidyseattle@gmail.com
Phone: 206-538-9344
Mon–Sun: 9am–6pm
Licensed • Bonded • Insured
