My Creative Landscape & Maintenance
LCB # 8346
The Pacific Northwest region is known for its lush greenery and diverse plant life. The temperate climate and abundant rainfall make it an ideal place for a wide range of plants to thrive. However, caring for plants in this region can be challenging, especially for those new to gardening. To help you keep your plants healthy and beautiful, we’ve asked a landscaping expert to share their advice on plant care in the Pacific Northwest.
The soil in the Pacific Northwest is generally acidic and rich in nutrients, making it ideal for growing a wide variety of plants. However, it’s essential to test your soil to ensure that it has the right pH level for the plants you want to grow. If your soil is too acidic, you can add lime to raise the pH level. If it’s too alkaline, you can add sulfur to lower it.
One of the most crucial aspects of plant care in the Pacific Northwest is proper watering. While the region receives plenty of rainfall, it’s important to monitor the moisture level in your soil regularly. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while under-watering can cause the plants to dry out. A good rule of thumb is to water your plants deeply once a week during the growing season, and reduce watering during the cooler months.
The Pacific Northwest soil is nutrient-rich, but it’s still essential to fertilize your plants regularly to promote healthy growth. Use organic fertilizers that are high in nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, as these are the primary nutrients that plants need. Be careful not to over-fertilize, as this can lead to burnt leaves and damage to the plant’s roots.
Choosing the right plants for your garden is crucial for success in the Pacific Northwest. Select plants that are adapted to the region’s climate, such as rhododendrons, ferns, and huckleberries. Also, consider the amount of sunlight your garden receives and select plants that are suited to the amount of light available.
The Pacific Northwest is home to a wide variety of pests and diseases that can damage your plants. To prevent infestations, it’s important to practice good garden hygiene, such as removing dead leaves and plants from your garden regularly. Also, use natural pest control methods, such as companion planting, to deter pests without using harmful chemicals.
In conclusion, caring for plants in the Pacific Northwest requires attention to detail and a bit of know-how. By following these tips from a landscaping expert, you can keep your plants healthy and beautiful year-round. Remember to test your soil, water your plants properly, fertilize regularly, choose the right plants, and practice good garden hygiene to keep pests and diseases at bay. With a little effort, you can create a thriving garden that will bring joy and beauty to your home for years to come.
​October-February is a good time to prune your Shore Pines it will help minimize insect attacks. First you want to prune out dead, broken, crossed, diseased, weak crouched branches. Then you can start to shape the tree. You never want to remove more than 30% of the foliage. Make sure you do not damage the collar when pruning, on larger branches use the 3 cut method. It is always important to leave as little of a nub as possible when removing branches, doing so will speed up healing time. In areas of high winds you may want to thin the tree to reduce its sail, to pass more wind through the tree. You can do this by removing some of the small internal branches and branches growing in a down ward direction, doing so will also give it a layered look.
Winter is a great time to apply lime to your lawns, if you need it. First it best to get a soil test, to see if you need to lime, if the PH is below 6 you may want to apply lime. It is best to apply pelletized lime it is more expensive but is made into dust-free pellets which dissolve with subsequent rains or irrigation. A pulverized lime is powdery and messy to apply, often causing lime dust to blow everywhere. Having a PH from 6 to 7 will help release nutrients, giving you a nice dark green lawn with the proper fertilizer. Neutralizing the soils PH is also a good way to deter weed and moss growth which is usually a big issue on the central Oregon coast.