Spokane lawn care services
Spokane's official nickname is the "Lilac City". Residents love its numerous forests and lakes, not to mention the mountains that give it a cool atmosphere. Many homeowners in the town take great pride in maintaining beautiful lawns. Of course, even in a city bestowed by nature with pleasant climatic conditions and fertile soils, lawn care is still hard work. Spokane is notorious for long winters that can brutally kill all the grass in your yard. It takes a lot of commitment and dedication to ensure that your lawn is the perfect shade of green all year long. Here is all you need to know about Spokane gardening.
Popular grass types in Spokane, WA
Kentucky Bluegrass
Kentucky Bluegrass is one of the most popular cool grass types in the whole country, but it thrives particularly well in Spokane. The grass type is resistant to cold, which is excellent since the winters in Spokane can be rather brutal and long. You will have to irrigate your lawn a lot with this grass type. Water your garden early in the morning or late in the evening to prevent the water from evaporating.
Additionally, plant the grass where it has adequate exposure to the sun. The grass will not do well in a shady lawn, which is something you should keep in mind before you choose it. For the best look in your garden, blend the grass with other grass types. When you mow, aim for a height of between 1.5 to 2.5 inches.
Fine Fescue
A second grass type that is popular among homeowners in Spokane is the Fine Fescue breed. It is one of the most resilient grass types; it can comfortably withstand prolonged droughts and shady conditions. Even where drought is brutal enough to make the grass dormant, a week of watering will revive your yard back to its beautiful green state.
The grass type also tolerates heavy traffic comfortably. If you intend to use your lawn often, then you should consider getting this grass type. However, be careful with the chemicals you use on this grass. It is more sensitive to herbicide than most other breeds. Make sure to read the packaging on the products to ensure that they are safe for your grass before you use them.
Bentgrass
If you are looking for a fast-growing sod with a luscious turf, then Bentgrass is the grass for you. This may mean that you have to mow more often than you would with other grass types, but it is certainly worth the effort. Keep in mind, Bentgrass is susceptible to pests and diseases, so this calls for constant vigilance on your part. Additionally, make it a habit to cut the grass and aerate the soil regularly.
Tall Fescue
Another grass type that is particularly well-adapted for Spokane is Tall Fescue. This fast-growing grass requires minimal input on your part but promises a yard that would make any homeowner proud. The sod thrives in shady areas, so don't shy away from choosing it if you have trees and shrubs in your lawn. When you mow, maintain a height of two to three inches.
Native plants in Spokane, WA
Pacific Bleeding Heart
This plant gets its name from its uncanny resemblance to a bleeding heart. Its colorful flowers look like a heart whose bottom opens to show seeds and the stamen, hence the name. The fern-like plant is excellent for yards in Spokane which is known for its moist soils and pleasant climate. The perennial plant can grow up to 24 inches wide and 18 inches tall. Its flowers will add a splash of beautiful colors to any yard, ranging from red to pink to white.
Rhododendron
Having this beautiful plant in your Spokane yard is something of a tribute to the great state of Washington, seeing that it is the state flower. The plant can grow up to an outstanding 25 feet wide and 20 feet tall. If you are looking for a tree with dense foliage that will offer you privacy from your neighbors, then this is the plant for you. On the flip side, you will have to prune the tree regularly to keep it looking good.
Goatsbeard
This peculiarly-named shrub is a staple in many Spokane yards. It is named for its white flowers that resemble a goat's beard. The bush with pointed leaves does well in moist, shady areas and adds vitality to any garden. It can grow to a height of up to six feet.
Lawn care tips for Spokane, WA
Mow Your Lawn Regularly
An unkempt lawn is not only an eyesore, but neglect also inhibits the growth of your sod. You should make it a habit to mow your yard as part of your Spokane gardening routine. When you do, avoid cutting the grass excessively short. If you cut your grass too short, you minimize the plant's ability to absorb sunlight, which in turn affects growth negatively.
During the long winters in Spokane, you may not have to mow your lawn as often since the grass grows at a slow pace. In any case, mowing during the colder months can damage your garden, making it harder for the grass to recover after the winter.
Dethatch your Lawn
You should also regularly remove the organic material that accumulates in your yard over time. The thatch can make it harder for your grass to absorb minerals, thus reducing growth significantly. Whenever the mulch on your yard causes dead patches on your lawn, you should know that it is time to get out the rake and dethatch your garden. Also, engage in Spokane weed control regularly for optimum grass health.
Why get professional lawn care services in Spokane?
Saves You Time
Spokane gardening and Spokane weed control is a time-consuming venture. It requires a lot of commitment and hard work. If you are like most people, you certainly don't wish to spend all your weekends steeped deep in the intricacies of lawn care or Spokane snow removal during the winter. Rather than leave your lawn unattended, why not hire a professional Spokane yard service company to do all the hard work for you?
Expertise
Contrary to popular belief, Spokane lawn care consists of more than just mowing and watering your grass. You have to familiarize yourself with other aspects of the task, such as fertilizers, herbicides, the different types of grass, and how to care for each specific kind. Spokane snow removal also forms an integral part of yard care. Granted, this is no easy task. This is why most homeowners usually leave the Spokane yard clean up job to Spokane yard service companies.
Spokane lawn care may be a daunting task, but its necessity is indisputable. If you find Spokane yard clean up to be too taxing, don't hesitate to hire a professional company to do the work for you. It might cost you some money, but it sure is worth every penny you spend on it.
Commonly asked questions
Are there any watering restrictions in Spokane?
There are currently no watering restrictions. However residents are advised to conserve water as much as possible.
What is the process to exterminate weeds?
A weed extermination area coextensive with the boundaries and area of Spokane County, Washington, is hereby established for the purpose of destroying, preventing and exterminating all weeds and plants which are now or may hereafter be classed by the Agricultural Experiment Station of Washington State University as noxious or poisonous weeds or plants, detrimental to agriculture or to livestock. The plants include Russian Thistle, Fann Weed, Jim Hill Mustard, Canadian Thistle, Quack Grass, Morning Glory, California Puncture Vine, Russian Knapweed, White Top, Blue Flowering Lettuce, Perennial Sow Thistle, Wild Snapdragon, and Klamath Weed.
Where can I dispose of yard debris?
Spokane has a comprehensive solid waste system, including an optional service to pick up yard waste and food scraps at the curb. Customers receive a green cart for their green waste.
Yard Debris: Grass, leaves, weeds, pine needles, thatch, plant trimmings, small amounts of sod, and branches less than 3 inches in diameter.
The service runs from March through November, and is suspended during December, January, and February. Collection occurs on the same day as garbage pickup between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
