Letter from In Harmony: Ready for Spring

Sustainable Focus: Rain Gardens

Seasonal Garden Care: Aeration and Overseeding

 

Letter from In Harmony

I am ready for spring. This past winter has left me weary of the cold. I was hoping the Northwest Flower and Garden Show would kick spring in the rear and get it going. We have had several snow storms since then. Being an optimist, I do feel the sun getting stronger every day. Now that April is here, spring has no choice but to show up.

This is a great time to finally see how our landscapes have fared through the hard winter. We had such cold temperatures, and for such long periods, that some plants have died back to the ground. We are out evaluating landscapes right now. I want to remind everyone that if you are on our full lawn, tree and shrub programs, we will do a free walk through with you to discuss the current state of your garden. Call the office to make an appointment.

This is also a great time to think about any changes in your landscape. Maybe the winter damage has opened a space in your yard that would be perfect for a vegetable garden or berry bushes. Our designers are fantastic at helping you think through ideas to create the landscape of your dreams.

We are building some vegetable beds at our office. We plan to grow food for both our staff and the food bank. This year, consider growing food and donating some of your harvest. It can be as simple as strawberries and blueberries, two easy plants that quickly grow delicious rewards. There are many people in need, now more than ever. Plus, what can be more rewarding than nurturing food and supporting our community.

Have a great season!

Ladd Smith

 

Sustainable Focus

Rain Gardens

Rain gardens can improve your yard — and help local streams

You can make your yard more attractive – and help protect local streams, lakes and groundwater – by planting a rain garden.

A rain garden is a planted depression in the landscape designed to collect, absorb and filter stormwater. Rain is intercepted at a specific point, such as roof downspouts or a driveway, and directed to the basin. As the water percolates down, soil micro-organisms and plants filter and clean it.

As our cities and suburbs have developed, the amount of pavement has increased dramatically, preventing water from soaking into the soil. Instead, it runs off into streams and lakes, causing flooding, scouring stream banks and carrying pollutants such as pesticides, fertilizers and motor oil.

Scientists name stormwater as one of the major contributors to Puget Sound's decline. The US Environmental Protection Agency said stormwater runoff is the leading threat to our estuaries and the third-largest problem facing lakes.

Things to consider

Where to site the rain garden: It should be at least 10 feet from any building foundation and not over a septic drain field or shallow utility.

Soil type: Not all soils will be suitable. Fast-draining soils are best. A simple soil particle test can tell you how quickly your soil will drain. Amending or replacing the soil may improve drainage rates.

Rain collection points: You could use a roof, driveway, neighbor's lawn, etc.

Sizing: How big will the rain garden need to be? How much area is draining to it? How much space is available? How much water will the rain garden hold?

Call In Harmony to help you design and install a rain garden at 425-486-2180. Or visit these web sites for more details:
 
Rain garden handbook for western Washington homeowners
How to build a residential rain garden
Rain garden tips, www.sueellingson.com or www.raingardens.org/

 

Seasonal Garden Care

Aeration and Overseeding

Spring brings longer warmer days with fresh hyacinths, daffodils and tulip heads peeking through the soil. Spring also sprouts ideas of what to do in the garden after such a long, cold winter.

The largest area on your property is probably the lawn. This is also the saddest area, especially in the spring. We had a tough winter: several snow storms, buckets of rain and cold temperatures, so your lawn is showing stress. We suggest mechanical aeration and overseeding to help wake your lawn up after a long winter's nap.

Mechanical aeration is the process of removing core soil plugs that are 2-3 inches long to allow for better air circulation at root level, reduce compaction of soils and improve water and nutrient exchange. Aeration will stimulate new root growth in the grass.

Overseeding the lawn is very important, too. Because the turf has thinned out over the winter, we suggest a Northwest blend of grass seed to fill in the bare areas.

Overseeding your lawn in spring or fall is the perfect way to create a thicker lawn that will outcompete moss and weeds. A thick lawn is the best weed management technique.

If you would like an estimate for aeration or overseeding, please call the office. Happy spring!

888.472.7748

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Get a 5% discount on your next service

Do you have a friend or neighbor who has envied your healthy landscape? If they sign up for natural lawn care and/or tree and shrub care with us, ask them to mention your name and we will give you a 5% discount on your next service. A big thank you for all the referrals our clients give us. We truly appreciate it.

Visit the Festival of Trees

 
Enjoy a day of fun and learn about trees too! Plant Amnesty is hosting the Festival of Trees on Mother's Day, May 10. There is something for everyone: gardeners, students, kids, mothers, apartment dwellers and crazy old coots.

Ciscoe Morris and other famous garden writers will talk about fruit tree culture, wildlife habitat and more. There will be lots of kid-stuff like bucket truck rides and big tree climbing. The New Old Time Chautauqua will offer whimsy and humor through music, juggling, magic and aerial acrobatics. Visit the In Harmony booth and say hi.

Admission is free. It runs 10-4 at Sandpoint Magnuson Park, 7400 Sandpoint Way NE, Seattle.

Celebrate Earth Month with People for Puget Sound

 
What are YOU doing in April to Save Our Sound? It's time to learn, engage and act.

See underwater critters at night, help restore a beach, see an orca movie or do other fun activities to help create a positive future for Puget Sound.
Click here to find out more.

Join the sustainable change movement in YOUR community

Sustainable community groups are springing up everywhere. At last count, there were 32 groups in King County and five in Snohomish County. Join in the fun and help your community create a greener and healthier future.

The groups are part of a nonprofit network called SCALLOPS, or Sustainable Communities ALL Over Puget Sound. SCALLOPS is helping groups to build relationships, share resources, and educate each other on the successes and challenges of pioneering grassroots change at the community level.
Click here to find out more.

 

Northwest Harvest
food drive:
over a ton of food!

 

"No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted."
--Aesop

Thank you to all our valued clients who gave to our food drive benefiting Northwest Harvest. The 2008 food drive was best yet! We gathered about 2500 pounds of food that was shared with people in need in our community and statewide. Thank you for your kindness!

The need is great in this economic downturn. Click here to donate to Northwest Harvest. We will have another food drive this fall.