Lifestyle Landscapes' Green Offerings

We value our natural surroundings and do our best to protect the environment in our landscaping projects and our office environment. Lifestyle Landscapes is an Envirostars member with a four star rating. We are also members of the Built Green organization.

Skilled Plant Selection

Our landscape designers are skilled at selecting the right plant for the right place. By choosing plants well adapted to each garden situation, you save time and money, reduce maintenance, help prevent pests and diseases, and leave more clean water for salmon and other wildlife. For this same reason we also select native plants from our plant palette whenever possible.

Pesticides and Fertilizer

According to studies conducted in the Puget Sound Basin from 1987 to 1995, scientists have found 23 herbicides and pesticides in our local streams, many at levels that may damage salmon and other wildlife. Overuse of these products can also damage soil and plant health. Studies have found increased health risks among families that use lawn and garden pesticides, especially among pets and children.

Given these alarming statistics, we do everything possible to prevent further contamination of our gardens and streams. We do not use pesticides of any kind, including weed and feed. Rather than chemical fertilizer, we use slow-release and organic varieties. Clients can choose a fully organic package which includes the increased use of compost and tilling the soil to a depth of six to eight inches. We also help protect our clients from toxins by using non-treated hem fir to erect our vegetable beds.

Mulch

Mulch helps the soil to stay cool in the summer and discourages the growth of weeds which compete with desirable plants for water and helps build healthier soil. In the winter, mulch is a protective layer for your plants, insulating their roots from excessive cold. In addition to these water saving and healthy benefits, mulch provides a finished look to planting beds. We use SteerCo, a recycled, composted material composed of 33% composted steer manure and 66% sawdust. Steerco provides organic nutrients for your plants throughout the year.

Water Conservation

A professionally designed and installed irrigation system is the most efficient means of watering a landscape. Our Certified Landscape Technician is skilled in creating a system to address the unique needs of each landscape. We install a rain sensor with all of our irrigation systems for optimal performance. We also offer water auditing services.

Preventing Run-off

Run-off from residential areas perpetuates erosion and filters debris into our waterways. This debris damages the habitat killing salmon and other wildlife. There are many ways to ensure that rainwater that falls on a homeowners yard stays on the homeowner's yard. One way we help to prevent run-off is by creating pervious patios and walkways to allow for better water absorption.

Practicing What We Preach

In addition to earth friendly practices in the field we also implement green friendly practices in our office environment. We recycle office paper, light bulbs and batteries and use fluorescent lights to save energy within our office space. We also use a car wash kit to collect runoff from washing the trucks and pump it down the utility sink through a hose. The water will be filtered in the sewer system rather than flushed down the storm drain. This measure will help protect the Duwamish River from pollution and silt build-up. Feel free to contact us to learn more about our practices to protect the environment.