West Seattle End-of-season garden cleanup

Homeowner’s Issue

West Seattle yards face a familiar set of problems by late fall: heavy leaf drop, moss and compacted lawns from long wet seasons, invasive ivy in ravines, and salt-and-wind exposure on parcels facing Elliott Bay. Soil here tends to be a mix of glacial till with clay pockets and dense organic topsoil in older lots; that means poor drainage on flat areas and rapid runoff on steep slopes around Alki and the Admiral neighborhoods. Many properties border mature maples and Douglas firs, producing persistent shade and a year-round moss pressure that chokes turf and seed beds. Drainage tends to be the limiting factor — clogged beds and downspouts turn compost piles into mucky messes, and terraces on hillier lots (High Point, Fauntleroy) often need regrading or simple French drain fixes.

HOAs in condo pockets and some subdivision stretches are picky about neat beds and defined edges; curb appeal matters for resale and neighborhood standards. The rain pattern — heavy autumns and mild, wet winters — means cleanup timing matters: do big leaf removal and pruning after most leaves drop but before sustained rains, and lay mulch to stabilize soil and suppress winter weeds without using herbicides. The result: fewer winter pests, healthier roots come spring, and lower maintenance for you next season.

Our Quality Service

We clear leaves, prune perennials and shrubs, hand-weed beds, and install organic mulch using sustainable, non-chemical methods. Typical tools: rakes, battery trimmers, hand pruners, wheelbarrows, and small compost-friendly blowers when needed. For drainage fixes we install basic catch basins, regrade shallow swales, or add gravel trenches depending on the yard.

Timelines: most standard West Seattle yards are done in a half-day to full-day visit; larger or steep sites may take a day or two. Work windows target drier forecasts to avoid tracking mud, usually late October–November; we’ll schedule around tides and neighborhood events for bay-facing properties.

Local insight: we prefer compost and hardwood mulch suited to Seattle soils, avoid herbicides, and recommend native understory plants for shaded ravines. We account for water restrictions during summer months by focusing on mulching and drought-tolerant plant choices.

Benefits: safer walkways, reduced moss and weed pressure, stabilized soil on slopes, improved curb appeal, and lower routine upkeep.

What’s Included

• Site assessment and cleanup plan.
• Leaf and debris removal from lawns, beds, and walkways.
• Pruning of shrubs and cutting back perennials.
• Hand-weeding and root removal; no herbicides used.
• Mulch with organic material (thin layer where needed).
• Bed edging and basic bed redefinition.
• Haul-away of large debris or green-bin-ready sorting.

Options / Upgrades:

• Mulch + landscape fabric (sheet mulching) for persistent weeds.
• Organic soil amendment with screened compost.
• Gentle mechanical moss removal for lawns and steps.
• Haul-away vs. green-bin drop-off (we sort and advise).
• Small drainage repairs (French drains, regrading, catch basins).

Before & After / Expectations

Expect some noise and a mess during the workday — we use battery tools when possible to limit sound. Access: clear path to beds and driveway access for wheelbarrows makes the job faster. Debris: we separate compostable material for green bins or haul away larger brush for a fee. Typical turnaround: same-week scheduling in fall if booked early; peak season can be 1–2 week lead.

Care tips for West Seattle:

• Watering: avoid heavy watering in fall; aim for occasional deep watering only for new installs.
• Weed pressure: hand-weed in late fall, then mulch to limit spring germination.
• Moss/ivy: remove ivy at root, prioritize physical removal and mulching; don’t rely on chemicals.
• Slope care: stabilize with longer mulch and native groundcovers to reduce erosion.

FAQs

• Q: Will you use herbicides?
  A: No. We use hand weeding, mulching, and mechanical removal only.

• Q: When is the best time to schedule?
  A: After most leaves fall but before continuous winter rains — typically late October to early December in West Seattle.

• Q: Do you handle steep or ravine lots?
  A: Yes — we assess access and may recommend staged work or extra crew for safety on steep slopes near Lincoln Park or Fauntleroy.

• Q: What happens to green waste?
  A: We sort compostable material for green bin pickup or offer haul-away for larger volumes.

• Q: Do you repair drainage issues?
  A: We perform small drainage fixes (regrading, simple French drains) and recommend larger engineering work if needed.

Call to Action

If you own a home in West Seattle and want a tidy, sustainable winter-ready garden, book a free estimate. We offer quick scheduling, clear pricing, and local expertise around Alki, Lincoln Park, and Admiral districts. Email neatandtidyseattle@gmail.com for a photo estimate or to set an onsite visit. Licensed • Bonded • Insured.