Landscaping

That little yellow flower popping up across your lawn might look harmless, but if it’s spreading in mats across the ground, you’re likely dealing with creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens). In Seattle’s wet climate, this invasive weed thrives in lawns, garden beds, and anywhere soil stays damp. At Lee’s General Landscaping, we help homeowners remove creeping … Read more

Seattle homeowners often notice clusters of tall, yellow-flowered weeds in summer and wonder if they’re just wild daisies. More often than not, those plants are tansy ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris), a noxious invasive weed that poses serious risks to people, pets, and livestock. At Lee’s General Landscaping, we provide safe, professional tansy ragwort removal to protect … Read more

Bull thistle is one of those weeds that looks almost ornamental at first glance — big purple flower heads on tall stems — but don’t be fooled. In Seattle and throughout the Pacific Northwest, bull thistle is a noxious invasive plant that spreads aggressively and can turn your yard into a spiny mess if left … Read more

If you’ve spotted a tall, bamboo-like plant with broad leaves and clusters of tiny white flowers in your yard, chances are you’re dealing with Japanese knotweed — one of the most aggressive invasive weeds in Seattle. At Lee’s General Landscaping, we’ve helped many homeowners take back their yards from knotweed infestations. Here’s what you need … Read more

Weeds are one of the biggest headaches for Seattle homeowners. Between our rainy winters and sunny summers, invasive plants like blackberry, ivy, and even poison hemlock can spread fast. At Lee’s General Landscaping, we provide professional weed removal services that go beyond just trimming the surface — we get to the root of the problem … Read more

Seattle homeowners know the value of a little extra privacy. Whether it’s blocking out a neighbor’s window, softening street noise, or simply creating a cozy green retreat, the right evergreen shrubs can transform a yard into a private oasis. Because our Northwest climate offers mild winters, wet springs, and dry summers, many shrubs thrive here … Read more

Best Small Trees for Seattle Townhomes Living in a Seattle townhome often means your outdoor space is limited, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up on having trees. The right small tree can bring color, privacy, and character to even the coziest courtyard, side yard, or patio. In fact, carefully chosen small trees … Read more

Seattle homeowners know the drill: the weather changes fast, the rain sticks around, and the garden needs plants that look great year-round without constant babysitting. That’s where evergreen shrubs come in. They hold their leaves all winter long, give your yard structure even on gray days, and many can double as privacy screens or low-maintenance … Read more

Looking to block out a neighbor’s window, cut street noise, or just enjoy more peace in your backyard? Planting a natural privacy barrier is one of the best ways to add value and beauty to your Seattle home. The right trees and shrubs can grow quickly, stay green year-round, and give you a living fence … Read more

Japanese Knotweed Removal Japanese knotweed is one of the most aggressive invasive plants in Seattle. It grows fast, spreads underground, and can damage fences, patios, foundations, and even concrete. Once it takes hold, this weed is almost impossible to get rid of without the right approach. At Lee’s General Landscaping, we specialize in safe, effective … Read more

What’s the Deal with Japanese Knotweed? Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) is a tenacious perennial that spreads through rhizomes—those underground roots that can run up to 3 m deep and 7 m wide. Even tiny fragments left behind can grow into full-blown colonies. It’s one of the worst invasive species out there (The Sun, Wikipedia). The Full-Scale Removal … Read more

Smart watering for Seattle yards – with Mr. Lee Why Upgrade? Here in the PNW, some weeks it rains every day. Some weeks we hit drought conditions. A Wi-Fi-enabled controller checks the weather for you and skips watering when you don’t need it. You just set it up once and it adjusts automatically. Benefits of … Read more

Whether you’re going from basic to smart, or just updating an old box, the steps are about the same. If you’ve got a screwdriver and can match wire colors, you’re already halfway there. Step 1: Turn Off Power to the Controller You don’t want any juice flowing while you’re messing with the wires. Step 2: … Read more

Whether you’ve got a stuck valve, an electrical issue, or a leak, most valves can be swapped out in under an hour with the right tools and a bit of patience. Step 1: Turn Off the Water and Power Safety first. Don’t cut into a live pipe or mess with wires under pressure. Step 2: … Read more

Step 1: Identify the Problem Is the head: If yes to any of those, it’s time to swap it out. Step 2: Turn Off the Water Always start by shutting off your sprinkler system at the timer or main valve. Don’t try this while water’s flowing unless you want a muddy mess and a soaked … Read more

First off, what kind of pipe do you have? Most sprinkler systems use: Both are fixable with basic tools and a little patience. Step 1: Turn Off the Water Shut off the irrigation water at the main valve or backflow preventer. If you skip this step, you’re gonna get soaked and make a muddy mess. … Read more

General Weekly Guidelines (Seattle climate): Plant Type Water Needed How Often Watering Time with Drip Small Shrubs (2–4 ft) 5–10 gallons/week Once or twice/week 1–2 hours with 1 GPH emitters Medium Shrubs (4–6 ft) 10–15 gallons/week Once/week 2–3 hours with 2 GPH emitters Small Trees (newly planted) 10–20 gallons/week Once/week 3–4 hours with 2 GPH … Read more

A green lawn is nice, but too much water? That’s money down the drain and a recipe for moss, fungus, and weeds. Around here in Seattle, you don’t need to overdo it. Let me walk you through the right way to water your lawn without wasting time, water, or your weekends. The Golden Rule: One … Read more

Feature Drip Irrigation (Drip Line or Drip Tape) Micro Emitters (Sprayers/Misters) 💧 Water Delivery Slow, direct drip at the base of each plant Fine spray, mist, or tiny stream over a wider area 📍 Precision Very precise—right at the root zone Less precise—covers a small area 💨 Wind Impact Not affected by wind Can blow … Read more

Hey there, neighbors! Mr. Lee here from Lee’s General Landscaping, your friendly Seattle yard guy. Today, let’s talk about something that often gets overlooked—but can make a big difference in your water bill and plant health: adjusting your sprinkler heads. Whether you’ve got dry patches on your lawn, puddles forming by your walkway, or your … Read more

Keeping your lawn green without drowning it? That’s where sprinkler calibration comes in. At Lee’s General Landscaping, we see this all the time—sprinklers blasting the sidewalk, some spots dry as toast, and others soaked like a swamp. Let’s fix that. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to calibrate your sprinkler heads the right … Read more

At Lee’s General Landscaping, we specialize in reclaiming overgrown yards and transforming them into beautiful, usable spaces. Phoebe K., a Seattle homeowner, called on us to rescue her yard from unruly weeds and invasive plants. Her review highlights the team’s efficiency, thoroughness, and life-changing results. Here’s what Phoebe shared: “We tried to maintain our yard, … Read more