Want a yard that’s attractive, easier to care for, and healthier for your family, pets, and our great Northwest environment? Give natural yard care a try. These tips will help you garden successfully this growing season and beyond:

Build healthy soil. Add organic matter into your soil to improve its moisture-holding ability. Materials that are composted – yard trimmings, manures, leaves – provide nutrients and create a healthy environment for plant roots.

Choose plants wisely. Match plant needs to your specific garden conditions. Select drought tolerant, pest and disease resistant varieties to reduce your use of water and chemicals. Visit the Waterwise Garden at Bellevue Botanical Garden for ideas. For plant information, visit the Garden’s plant database http://bbg.cityofbellevue.net/).

Group together plants with similar water needs. Avoid mixing plants that need regular water with those that don’t. Your plants will be healthier when they get just the water they need – no more and no less.

Mulch your plantings. Add a layer of organic material over the soil to reduce weed growth and conserve soil moisture. Use 2-4 inches of woody mulches, like wood chips or bark, for trees and shrubs. For flower or vegetable beds, use 1-3 inches of compost, leaves, or grass clippings.

Manage weeds. Weeds compete with other plantings for moisture and nutrients. Since you can never eliminate them, it is best to avoid creating conditions that favor weed growth. Think twice about using pesticides and avoid weed and feed products, which can run off your property. (Weed and feed type products contain herbicides that have been found in Bellevue streams.) Concentrate on healthy gardening practices and remove existing weeds by hand-pulling or spot spraying.

Prepare your lawn. Soil compaction can prevent water and nutrients from reaching lawn roots. Check for this condition now and, if needed, aerate to improve the situation.

Mow higher (1-2”), mow regularly, and leave the clippings. Leaving the clippings does not cause thatch build up – it actually makes your lawn healthier. Soil organisms recycle the clippings into free fertilizer and save you the work of bagging them. Raising your mower height will help your lawn develop deeper roots.

Tune up your watering system. Inspect your watering system and repair leaky, broken or poorly adjusted sprinklers. Learn how to work your irrigation controller now so watering adjustments can be made when needed. Don’t forget to fix leaky hoses and faucets.

Adding a shut-off to every hose can also eliminate water waste. Rebates up to $450 are available for the installation of “Smart” Controllers and rain sensors from Bellevue Utilities and Cascade Water Alliance. For more information visit www.cascadewater.org.

Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to water all plants except lawns. Bury soaker hoses under mulch to prevent evaporation and help spread the water flow

For more information on Natural Yard Care, call Bellevue Utilities at 425.452.4127.