Author: Nicolette McCary
What Does Year-Round Landscape Maintenance Look Like on Mercer Island?
Year-round landscape maintenance helps Mercer Island gardens respond to changing seasons, from spring growth and summer watering to fall cleanup and winter preparation.
5 Garden Tips to Prevent Runoff (And Fix Common Drainage Issues)
Discover how small habits can help prevent stormwater pollution in your Seattle yard and keep local waterways clean during our rainy season.
How a Rain Garden Can Become Your Kids’ Favorite Outdoor Experiment
Turn a soggy Seattle yard into a learning project. Discover how a rain garden for kids becomes an experiment while managing stormwater.
How to Take Care of Your Seattle Yard This Fall
Fall yard care in Seattle doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Learn what to tackle now and what you can safely leave for wildlife.
Our Favorite Fragrant Plants for Seattle Gardens
Discover the best fragrant plants for Seattle gardens and how to include them in your landscape design this season.
5 Halloween Plants for Seattle Gardens
Discover our 6 favorite Halloween plants for Seattle gardens. Learn which perennials, shrubs, or trees bring a spooky vibe to your yard.
Halloween Garden Ideas: How to Create a Spooky Yard in Seattle
Explore Halloween garden ideas for your Seattle home. Discover how to use moody lighting, gothic plants, and decorations to create a spooky yard.
5 Backyard Lighting Ideas to Extend Your Time Outdoors in Seattle
Explore 5 ways to use backyard lights in Seattle to extend your time outdoors this autumn. Transform your yard into a cozy evening retreat!
What to Plant This Fall in Seattle: Our Seasonal Favorites
From natives to early bloomers, explore our top picks for fall planting in Seattle landscapes, and practical tips to help them settle in.
Our Favorite Fall Interest Plants for Seattle Gardens
Discover our favorite plants for fall interest in Seattle gardens. Bring vibrant foliage, texture and late blooms to your autumn landscape.
5 Annuals for Fall Seasonal Color in Seattle Gardens
Discover our 5 favorite fall annuals for Seattle gardens that bring bold seasonal color, texture, and scent to your yard!
How to Tackle an Overgrown Yard in Seattle Before Fall
Summer in Seattle can sometimes leave a yard feeling out of hand. Here is our guide on what to tackle before fall arrives, which tasks to save for the cooler months, and how to get your space ready for planting season.
Designing a Rain Garden in Seattle: Plants and Care
Discover how to design and care for a rain garden in Seattle. Explore our favorite plant picks and tips to keep it thriving.
Choosing the Best Fence for Your Seattle Home
From cedar privacy to modern hog wire, discover the best options for fences in Seattle and the gates that go along with them.
French Drain Installation in Seattle
A French drain can fix a soggy lawn by helping move water through the soil. Depending on the cause, we may recommend a French drain, soil improvement, grading, or another drainage approach.
Stormwater Management through Landscape Design in Seattle
Seattle’s rain can cause runoff, flooding, and erosion—but smart landscape design turns stormwater into an asset instead of a problem.
Garden Lights
With the right garden lights, your outdoor space can transform into a magical oasis that shines long after the sun goes down. Whether you’re highlighting the plants you love or ensuring safe passage through your garden paths, garden lighting brings new life to your yard.
Dry Well Installation in Seattle
A dry well is a practical drainage solution. We can reroute downspouts through underground drainage pipes and, when appropriate, direct the water toward a dry well or another safe discharge area.
Our Favorite Fall Plants for Seattle Gardens: Seasonal Color and Texture
Explore our favorite fall plants for seasonal color and texture in Seattle gardens and what makes them suitable for our climate.
Drainage Field Installation
A drainage field installation is a drainage system we recommended to help large lawn areas thrive through the seasons.
How to Recover Your Lawn After Drought in Seattle
Pacific Northwest summers can turn green grass brown. Most of the time, though, it is simply dormant. Here’s how to recover your lawn from drought and build a resilient yard for next season.
Illuminating Your Space: Outdoor Lighting in Seattle
Outdoor lighting in Seattle invites you to spend more time outdoors year-round. Explore the landscape lighting options we recommend installing.
Smart Sprinkler and Irrigation Controller
Whether you have an existing Sprinkler System or are installing new Irrigation, every Sprinkler System Needs a Smart Sprinkler Controller!
9 Gardening Rules You Can Actually Break (According to Landscape Designers)
Not every gardening rule deserves to be followed. Our Seattle landscape designers share common gardening myths they ignore and explain what actually helps plants thrive.
How to Keep Your Lawn Healthy During a Seattle Heatwave
Healthy lawns are built long before a heatwave arrives. Learn how deeper watering, healthy soil, and sustainable lawn care help Seattle landscapes stay resilient through hot, dry summers.
Summer Garden Tips Our Seattle Designers Swear By
Learn the summer landscape tips our Seattle designers use to keep gardens healthy and beautiful: from smarter watering and mulching to choosing native plants that thrive in the PNW.
Spring Landscaping Checklist: 5 Things to Do in Your Seattle Garden
Spring arrives quietly in Seattle — and the garden is already ahead of you. A little attention in March and April sets the tone for everything that follows. Here are the five things we come back to every year, in every garden.
Pathway Lights
Pathway lights are the unsung heroes of outdoor lighting. They add an inviting ambiance to your outdoor space while ensuring safe passage along walkways, garden paths, and driveways after dark.
Backflow Preventer Testing in Seattle: Protecting Your Water Supply and Irrigation System
Backflow testing helps protect Seattle’s drinking water supply by ensuring irrigation backflow preventers are working properly. Learn why annual testing matters, what the process involves, and how BAT-certified irrigation technicians help keep systems operating safely and efficiently.
Downspout Extension Installation
A downspout extension helps redirect the water away from foundations and toward a safe discharge area, drainage system, or rain garden. Smart water management can be customized to your landscape.
Sustainable Landscaping in Seattle: We Transitioned to 100% Electric Equipment
As Seattle continues moving toward more sustainable urban practices, we’re transitioning our operations to 100% electric equipment, including mowers, trimmers, blowers, and saws. This shift reflects our long-term commitment to sustainability, quieter neighborhoods, and a more thoughtful approach to caring for outdoor spaces.
Backyard Lights
Backyard lighting helps Seattle landscapes feel warm, usable, and connected after sunset. From pathway and accent lights to uplighting, the right fixtures improve safety, highlight key features, and extend the way outdoor spaces are enjoyed.
Our Favorite Shade Plants and Groundcovers for Seattle Gardens
Seattle’s shady gardens offer an opportunity to create calm, layered landscapes filled with texture, fragrance, and ecological value. Here are some of our favorite shade-loving plants for Pacific Northwest gardens.
Invasive Groundcover and Problem Plants to Know in Seattle Gardens
Some plants look great in the nursery — and then take over the garden, the greenbelt, and the neighbor’s yard. In Seattle, a handful of popular species spread aggressively and crowd out the native plants that local wildlife depends on. Here’s what we’ve learned to leave out of our designs.
Our Favorite Low Maintenance Groundcover Plants for Seattle Gardens
Ground cover plants do some of the quietest, most valuable work in a garden — holding soil, feeding pollinators, and filling in the spaces that would otherwise become weeds. In Seattle, the right choices thrive through wet winters and dry summers with very little help from you.
Backyard Transformation Ideas That Truly Fit Your Seattle Home
Many outdoor projects begin with inspiration and grow through thoughtful design. A successful backyard transformation takes shape when ideas meet the realities of your home, property, and how you want to live outside in Seattle.
Natural Stone for Landscaping: How to Choose the Right Rock for Your Seattle Garden
Granite holds a slope. Basalt frames a garden path. Weathered moss rock makes a space feel like it grew there on its own. In the Pacific Northwest, natural stone does more than solve a structural problem — it gives a landscape its character, and it only gets better over time.
Parking Strip Landscaping Ideas: Favorite Plants for Seattle Curbside Gardens
Parking strips are some of the most challenging spots in a Seattle garden: narrow, sun-baked, and often overlooked. When planted with care, they become pollinator-friendly, low-maintenance landscapes that give back to the neighborhood season after season.
Natural Stone Patios & Pathways with Flagstone and Bluestone
Natural stone patios and pathways bring lasting structure, texture, and beauty to Seattle landscapes. Explore flagstone and bluestone options, installation methods, and design ideas that work with the Pacific Northwest climate.
Our Favorite Pollinator Plants for Seattle Gardens
A curated list of pollinator-friendly plants that thrive in Seattle gardens—supporting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with blooms from spring through fall.
Beneficial Nematodes: Natural Pest Control for Seattle Gardens
Beneficial nematodes offer a natural way to control soil pests in Seattle landscapes. Working below the surface, they support healthier soil and more balanced gardens over time.
Backyard Bocce Ball Courts in Seattle: Design, Drainage & Installation
A backyard bocce ball court in Seattle offers a low-maintenance, design-forward way to create space for gathering and outdoor living. Thoughtful drainage and materials make it usable through the seasons.
Corten Steel Planters in Seattle: Modern Structure with Natural Warmth
Corten steel planters bring structure, durability, and warmth to Seattle landscapes. Discover how they enhance modern garden design and outdoor living.
Using Metal in Seattle Landscape Design: Structure, Contrast, and Long-Term Performance
Metal brings structure, durability, and contrast to Seattle landscapes. Learn how corten steel and other materials enhance modern outdoor design.
How Often Should You Mow Your Lawn in Seattle? Weekly vs. Biweekly Explained
How often should you mow your lawn in Seattle? Learn the difference between weekly and biweekly mowing and how timing impacts long-term lawn health.
Spring Irrigation Startup in Seattle: Homeowners Guide
Spring is the right time to start your sprinkler system in Seattle. Learn how to check, adjust, and repair your irrigation after winter.
The Lifecycle of a Seattle Landscape: Seasonal Maintenance Guide
Seattle landscapes change with the seasons. Learn how year-round landscape maintenance supports long-term plant health, soil balance, and outdoor living.
Seasonal Color Program Cost in Seattle: What to Expect
Seasonal color programs bring fresh blooms to your landscape year-round. Here’s what they cost in Seattle and what shapes pricing.
Spring Planting in Seattle: Best Flowers and Color Combinations for Early Season Gardens
Spring planting in Seattle brings early color to gardens and containers. Discover the best annuals, bulbs, and combinations for vibrant seasonal landscapes.
Why Soil Health Matters for Lawns and Landscapes in Seattle
Healthy soil supports stronger roots, better drainage, and resilient plants. Discover why soil health is the foundation of thriving landscapes in Seattle.
How to Refresh Your Landscape Design for Spring in Seattle
Spring is the ideal time to refresh your Seattle landscape. From planting bed updates to new outdoor features, here’s how to prepare your yard for summer.
Organic vs Synthetic Fertilizer: What’s the Difference for Lawns and Landscapes?
Organic and synthetic fertilizers feed plants differently. Learn how each works and why organic fertilizers support long-term soil health in Seattle landscapes.
Overseeding a Lawn in Seattle: How to Thicken a Thin or Patchy Turf
Overseeding helps restore density in thin Seattle lawns. Learn when to overseed, why lawns lose density, and how aeration improves results.
Why Moss Grows in Seattle Lawns and How to Fix It
Moss is one of the most common lawn problems in Seattle. Learn why moss takes over Pacific Northwest lawns and what actually reduces it long term.
What Does Full-Service Landscape Maintenance Include?
Full-service landscape maintenance involves far more than mowing. Learn what a comprehensive maintenance program includes and why Seattle landscapes benefit from soil care, pruning, irrigation management, and seasonal planning.
Yard Care vs Landscape Maintenance: What’s the Difference?
Yard care and landscape maintenance are often used interchangeably, but they represent very different levels of service. Understanding the difference helps Seattle homeowners protect soil health, plant longevity, and long-term landscape performance.
How to Fix a Patchy Lawn in Seattle
Patchy grass and winter mud are common in Seattle’s shade-heavy climate. Here’s how to fix a struggling lawn and how to know when a different design solution may work better.
When Should You Replace a Lawn Instead of Repairing It?
Struggling with mud, moss, or constant lawn repairs? In Seattle’s shade-heavy, rain-soaked climate, some lawns can be restored — and others may need a smarter redesign. Here’s how to tell when to repair and when replacing part of your lawn makes more long-term sense.
Lawn Aeration in Seattle: The Secret to a Healthy Grass
Dethatching and aerating improve soil health, reduce compaction, and help Seattle lawns grow thicker and more resilient over time.
How to Tell If Your Soil Needs Restoration
If your yard feels stuck despite fertilizer, irrigation, or effort, your soil may be the reason. Here’s how to recognize when restoration is needed.
Organic vs. Conventional Lawn & Yard Care: What’s Better for Your Property?
Not sure whether to choose organic or conventional lawn care? Here’s how the two approaches compare in Seattle’s climate—and what that means long term.
Organic Lawn Care: Does It Actually Work in Seattle?
Organic lawn care works differently than synthetic programs—but in Seattle’s climate, that difference matters. Here’s what homeowners should know.
Hedge vs. Hedgerow: What’s the Difference, and Which Is Right for Your Landscape?
Hedges and hedgerows both offer privacy and structure—but their ecological impact and design style differ greatly. Here’s what Seattle homeowners should know.
How Long Does a Landscape Design Project Take in Seattle?
Curious how long a landscape design takes in Seattle? Explore typical timelines, key variables, and what happens after design approval.
Deer-Resistant Landscaping: How to Protect Your Garden in the Seattle Area
Deer browsing your garden? Learn how deer-resistant plants and smart landscape design can protect Seattle yards—without sacrificing beauty.
The Environmental Benefits of Native Plant Landscape Design
Native plants are more than a design choice—they’re a powerful environmental solution that supports water conservation, wildlife, and climate resilience.
Pet-Friendly Landscaping in Seattle: Safe and Stylish Yard Design for Dogs
Design a pet-friendly landscape that keeps dogs safe, active, and happy—without sacrificing style. Smart solutions for Seattle homes and yards.
Landscape Lighting
Landscape lighting transforms your yard, boosting both aesthetics and functionality. Whether you’re highlighting trees or making pathways safer for nighttime use, the right lighting makes a world of difference.
How to Design a Backyard for Entertaining in Seattle
Seattle backyards can be perfect for outdoor gatherings. Learn how to design a backyard for entertaining with smart layouts, weather-ready features, and inviting outdoor living spaces.
How to Build a Wildlife-Friendly Landscape in Seattle
Transform your Seattle yard into a habitat for birds, bees, and butterflies using native plants, pollinator support, and eco-conscious design.
Kid-Friendly Landscape Design Ideas
Create a kid-friendly landscape that’s safe, flexible, and fun. Discover family-focused backyard design ideas built for Seattle’s climate and growing families.
How to Create a Low-Maintenance Landscape in the Pacific Northwest
Creating a low-maintenance landscape in the Pacific Northwest starts with smart design choices, native plants, and durable materials. Learn how Seattle homeowners can reduce upkeep while enjoying a beautiful, sustainable outdoor space year-round.
Landscape Design Ideas for Small Seattle Yards
Designing a small yard in Seattle doesn’t mean sacrificing beauty or functionality. With smart planning, vertical elements, and purposeful layouts, even compact urban spaces can become inviting outdoor retreats. Explore expert landscape design ideas tailored specifically for small Seattle yards.
Best Native Plants for Seattle Landscape Design
Discover the best native plants for Seattle landscapes—from trees and shrubs to groundcovers and flowers—designed for beauty, sustainability, and low maintenance.
Do I Really Need a Landscape Design Plan?
Not sure if you need a landscape design plan? Learn why a professional plan saves time, money, and ensures your Seattle landscape works beautifully for years.
Patio Lights
With the right garden lights, your outdoor space can transform into a magical oasis that shines long after the sun goes down. Whether you’re highlighting beautiful plants, creating a peaceful nighttime retreat, or ensuring safe passage through your garden paths, garden lighting brings new life to your yard.
What Should I Expect from a Landscape Design Consultation?
Wondering what happens during a landscape design consultation? Learn what to expect, how to prepare, and how SSL guides Seattle homeowners from vision to plan.
What’s the Difference Between a Landscape Designer and a Landscape Architect?
Confused about the difference between a landscape designer and a landscape architect? Learn which professional is right for your Seattle residential project.
Lessons from Our First Year Testing Battery-Powered Landscape Equipment
After a year of testing battery-powered landscaping equipment, we’re sharing the real lessons—the wins, the challenges, and what it takes to move away from gas.
How Homeowners Can Help Landscaping Companies Go Electric
Homeowners play a key role in the shift to electric landscaping. Learn how small changes can help landscaping companies transition from gas to battery-powered tools.
Winter Landscaping Design Tips for Seattle Homeowners
Seattle winters don’t have to mean a dull yard. Discover winter landscaping tips to keep your Seattle landscape functional, beautiful, and thriving year-round.
Top Landscape Design Trends in Seattle for 2026
Discover the top landscape design trends shaping Seattle in 2026—from climate-responsive gardens and native plants to smart technology and modern outdoor living.
How to Design a Landscape That Thrives in the Seattle Rain
Designing for Seattle’s rain doesn’t have to be a challenge. Learn how rain gardens, proper drainage, native plants, and permeable hardscapes create landscapes that thrive year-round.
Outdoor Wall Lights
Whether you’re lighting up a cozy patio, enhancing your home’s curb appeal, or improving security around your property, outdoor wall lights can make a significant difference.
Is Your Landscaper Loud? Battery-powered landscaping tools to the rescue
Is you landscaper loud? A new wave of quiet landscapers is the blissful consequence of battery-powered equipment.
Irrigation Winterization Guide for Seattle Homeowners
Irrigation Winterization Guide for Seattle Homeowners
Battery-Powered vs. Gas-Powered Landscape Equipment: Pros and Cons
Benefits of battery-powered landscape equipment against gas-powered equipment.
Why We’re Testing Kress Battery Landscaping Equipment
Why we are testing battery-powered landscaping equipment
Seattle’s Gas Leaf Blower Ban: What It Means for Homeowners and Landscapers
Seattle bans gas-powered landscape equipment and we are moving to battery-powered tools now.
Best Time to Winterize Your Sprinkler System
Winterize your yard sprinkler system during fall
Convert Sprinkler to Drip
Converting sprinklers to drip irrigation can help Seattle landscapes use water more efficiently while supporting healthier plants and soil. Learn when a drip system makes sense, how it works, and why it’s a smart upgrade for planting beds and water-conscious landscapes.
Lawn Irrigation
Good lawn irrigation practices help Seattle lawns stay healthy, resilient, and water-efficient. Seasonal adjustments, proper timing, and efficient coverage support greener lawns and stronger roots through changing Pacific Northwest conditions.
Sprinkler Repair Near Me
Looking for sprinkler repair near you in Seattle? Learn the most common irrigation problems, what to do during a sprinkler emergency, and how sustainable upgrades can improve water efficiency, reduce waste, and support healthier landscapes year-round.
Moss Removal
Moss is common in Seattle lawns, but it’s often a sign of deeper issues like shade, compacted soil, poor drainage, or low fertility. Learn how to manage moss thoughtfully by improving soil health, supporting stronger turf, and creating conditions where lawns can thrive long-term.
Pergola Lights
If you’re looking to elevate your outdoor space, pergola lighting might be the perfect addition. Whether you’re hosting family gatherings or enjoying a quiet evening, the right lighting sets the atmosphere.
Deck Lights
Deck lights help Seattle outdoor spaces feel safer, warmer, and more inviting after sunset. From step and railing lights to recessed and string lighting, the right design can extend the use of your deck while highlighting its beauty and functionality year-round.
Rain Garden Installation
Rain gardens help manage stormwater, reduce runoff, and support healthy landscapes. Learn how this natural drainage solution can add beauty, habitat, and function to your Seattle yard.
Channel Drain Installation
Channel drains help capture and redirect water from driveways, patios, and walkways. Learn when this drainage solution is right for your Seattle property and how it can help prevent pooling and water damage.
Why Every Sprinkler System Should Have Low Pressure Heads
Low pressure sprinkler heads help irrigation systems water more evenly while reducing misting, runoff, and water waste. Learn how this simple upgrade can improve sprinkler performance, support healthier landscapes, and make Seattle irrigation systems more efficient year-round.
Why Every Sprinkler System should have a Flow Meter
A flow meter helps sprinkler systems detect leaks, reduce water waste, and improve irrigation efficiency. Learn why this smart upgrade supports healthier Seattle landscapes and more intentional water management.
Landscaping Owners Quoted in Recent Articles
Celebrating Our Recent Media Features: Seattle Sustainable Landscapes in the Spotlight
Solar Lights in Seattle
Solar landscape lights offer an easy, energy-efficient way to bring warmth and visibility to Seattle outdoor spaces. From pathways to garden beds, they can support safety, highlight key features, and create a softer nighttime atmosphere without the need for complex wiring.
Irrigation Water Cycling
Watering best practices may change with the seasons. Learn about the irrigation cycle we recommend for residential yards.
Choosing the Best Retaining Wall for You
Choosing the right retaining wall depends on your property’s needs, style, and long-term goals. Explore the most popular retaining wall materials and designs to find the best solution for your Seattle landscape.
Dark Fine Mulch
Dark fine mulch helps Seattle landscapes retain moisture, suppress weeds, protect roots, and support healthier soil through the seasons. Applied in spring or fall, it also gives planting beds a clean, refined finish that helps landscapes feel cared for and connected.