West Seattle Mow & Maintain Easements
Homeowner’s Issue
Easements in West Seattle get ignored until they’re a problem: unruly grass, blackberry canes spilling down slopes, moss and ivy smothering sidewalks, and clumps of hairy bittercress in shady corners. The neighborhood’s maritime climate — long, wet winters and cool, relatively dry summers — means weeds germinate early in spring and can re-shoot after every rain. Soils vary from compacted glacial till on hilltops like High Point to deeper loams near Fauntleroy; both hold moisture and favor moss under mature maples and cedars. Areas facing Alki and the sound get more wind and salt exposure, which affects plant choice and raises erosion risk on steep parkway slopes.
Most easements are narrow and require care that respects curb appeal, pedestrian safety, and HOA sightline rules. Drainage is common trouble: run-off channels, clogged grates, and saturated low spots feed weed patches and invasive roots. West Seattle homeowners need a sustainable plan that reduces frequent touch-ups, avoids herbicides, and improves soil health so easements stay tidy year-round with less work from you.
Our Quality Service
We mow, weed, and tidy easements using electric or battery-powered tools and manual techniques — no herbicides ever. We use commercial mowers for wider strips, string trimmers for edges, and hand tools for root removal on ivy and blackberry. For slopes and tricky access we deploy brush cutters and safety harnessing as needed.
Typical timeline: most single-strip easements are done in 1–3 hours; larger jobs or heavy blackberry work take a half- to full-day. We schedule around rainy windows and summer dry spells to minimize compaction and maximize mulch settling. We follow Seattle green‑waste rules for disposal and can load green-bin friendly material or haul to a compost facility.
Benefits: safer walkways, improved curb appeal, reduced rework, better drainage, and long-term soil improvement with organic mulch and compost.
What’s Included
- Site assessment and quick photo estimate.
- Mowing to a healthy, managed height.
- Precise edging along sidewalks and driveways.
- Hand-pulling and root removal for ivy, blackberry, and deep weeds.
- Raking and debris removal; green-waste sorting for compost.
- Optional organic mulch application to suppress regrowth.
Options / Upgrades:
- Mulch + landscape fabric for high‑pressure beds.
- Soil amendment with screened compost.
- Native plant replacements (low mass and wind-tolerant species).
- Regular maintenance packages: monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly.
- Haul-away (dump fee) vs. green-bin drop-off (Seattle compost rules).
Before & After / Expectations
Expect noise from mowers and trimmers and some temporary mess during work hours; we clean and sweep sidewalks and leave the area safe same day. Heavy blackberry or ivy removal may leave bare soil that benefits from mulch or plantings to prevent erosion. Regrowth timing: shallow annual weeds come back in 4–8 weeks; deep-rooted invasives require repeat attention over a season.
West Seattle care tips:
- Best times: late spring and summer dry spells for mowing; fall for deep-rooted removals.
- Water new plantings sparingly during July–August drought windows; check City of Seattle watering notices.
- Watch for moss in shaded, compacted strips — aerate, add compost, and increase light where possible.
- Use mulch 2–3” deep to suppress weeds without smothering tree roots.
FAQs
Q: Do you use herbicides?
A: No. We use mechanical and organic methods only — hand removal, mulches, and soil improvement.Q: How long before an easement looks “settled”?
A: Visibly tidy the same day. Expect 1–3 months for native or amended areas to stabilize and weed pressure to drop.Q: What access do you need?
A: Clear pedestrian access to the easement and a 3–4 ft path for equipment. If parking is limited, we’ll coordinate drop-off.Q: Do you haul debris?
A: Yes — choose green-bin drop-off or contractor haul-away; we charge actual dump fees if applicable.
Call to Action
West Seattle homeowners: if your easement is creating liability, lowering curb appeal, or just feeling out of hand, book a free estimate. We schedule quick visits from Alki to Admiral and nearby High Point, handle the hard manual work sustainably, and leave your frontage safe and tidy.
Email neatandtidyseattle@gmail.com to get a photo estimate or book on-site. Phone estimates available: 206-538-9344. Licensed • Bonded • Insured
