West Seattle Quarterly Garden Refresh Service

Homeowner’s Issue

West Seattle yards face a mix of conditions that make regular upkeep essential. The peninsula’s mild, maritime climate means long, wet winters and relatively dry summers; north- and west-facing slopes, dense tree cover, and older soils produce persistent shade and moss in many gardens. Upland pockets and places like High Point or neighborhoods above The Junction often have compacted glacial till that drains slowly, while low-lying areas near Alki or Fauntleroy can collect runoff and salt spray that stress tender plants.

Common local problems: moss and slugs in shaded lawns, bindweed and English ivy climbing older fences and trees, summer drought stress on south-exposed beds, and clogged storm drains from cedar mulch and leaf litter. HOAs in condo corridors and streets near California Ave and the Admiral District enforce tidy sightlines and often limit visible plantings or bark types, so maintenance must meet both visual and rule-based standards.

A quarterly program prevents small local issues from becoming big, costly repairs. With four checks per year timed to spring flush, summer dry-down, fall leaf drop, and late-winter prep, we reduce weed seed set, refresh mulch to suppress moss, and spot and correct drainage or slope failures before erosion starts. All work is done without synthetic herbicides — focusing on hand work, organic mulch, compost, and soil-building tactics that suit West Seattle soils and microclimates.

Our Quality Service

We focus on practical, sustainable work that lasts. Typical visits use hand tools, battery-powered trimmers, cordless blowers, edging tools, and mulching equipment; heavy machinery is only used when agreed in advance. We start with an inspection to identify drainage, slope, and root conflicts, then sequence tasks to minimize soil compaction and plant stress.

Timeline expectations:

• Small yards: 1.5–3 hours per visit.
• Average single-family lots: 3–6 hours.
• Larger or steep sites: scheduled with a site visit and quoted time.

Local insight we apply: amend compacted beds with compost and aeration; favor larger organic mulch layers in shady beds to cut moss and slugs; manage irrigation windows for summer water savings; and design low-maintenance plantings that meet HOA sightline rules. We never use synthetic herbicides; our methods are manual, thermal/steam (where appropriate), or organic.

Benefits: safer paths, cleaner curb appeal, fewer visits needed over time, and healthier soil that reduces future weed pressure.

What’s Included

Core deliverables on every quarterly visit:

• Seasonal clean-up: leaf and debris removal, gutter edge clearing.
• Pruning and light trimming of shrubs and small trees for structure and sightlines.
• Manual weeding: root-to-root pull and targeted follow-up.
• Edging of beds and pathways for a crisp look.
• Organic mulch refresh (up to agreed depth) and compost top-dressing.
• Debris haul-away or sorting for green-bin recycling (option below).

Options / Upgrades:

• Sheet mulching / soil-building for tired beds.
• Raised bed top-ups and soil amendments.
• Rain garden or improved drainage feature design and installation.
• Fabric + decorative gravel for high-traffic beds.
• Green waste haul-away vs. bagging for your curbside green bin (we sort and advise).

Before & After / Expectations

Be honest about access and disruption: we’ll make noise for a few hours when trimming and mulching, and there will be temporary piles of organic waste before removal. Expect a cleaner, neater appearance immediately, with soils improving over the next season as organic matter settles in.

Debris handling: we separate woody, green, and compostable waste and either haul it away or place it in your green bin per your preference. Extra dump fees (if applicable) are disclosed before work.

West Seattle care tips:

• Watering: deep morning waterings during dry summer weeks; skip irrigation after rainfall and avoid evening watering to reduce moss.
• Weed pressure: spring and autumn are peak times for hand-weeding; schedule follow-ups then.
• Moss & ivy: remove ivy at the root and treat exposed soil with mulch/compost; consider shade-tolerant groundcovers instead of lawn in persistent moss areas.
• Slopes: avoid annual tilling; use native, deep-rooting plants and mulches to reduce erosion.

FAQs (3–5)

• Q: Do you use herbicides to control weeds?
  A: No. We use manual removal, thermal options where suitable, mulches, and soil improvements only — no synthetic herbicides.

• Q: How quickly can you start a quarterly program?
  A: Typical scheduling is within 1–3 weeks, sooner for first-time clients who can provide photos or a short video of the yard.

• Q: What if my HOA has strict rules?
  A: We’ll review HOA guidelines with you, suggest compliant plant and mulch choices, and get approvals when required.

• Q: What should I prepare before a visit?
  A: Clear narrow gateways if possible, let us know about buried sprinklers or irrigation alarms, and advise if pets will be out. Photos ahead of time speed accurate estimates.

Call to Action

West Seattle homeowners: if you want a sustainable, hands-on maintenance plan that reduces recurring problems and keeps your property tidy through our rainy winters and dry summers, book a free estimate. We schedule quickly, work to local HOA standards, and prioritize long-term soil health and low maintenance.

Email: neatandtidyseattle@gmail.com
Phone: 206-538-9344

Request a photo or short video of your yard for a fast, accurate quote. We serve West Seattle and nearby neighborhoods—practical, local, and straightforward.