{"id":1165,"date":"2024-09-09T18:46:05","date_gmt":"2024-09-10T01:46:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/?page_id=1165"},"modified":"2025-06-20T14:26:05","modified_gmt":"2025-06-20T21:26:05","slug":"tip-sheet-3","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-3","title":{"rendered":"#3 New to Gardening in Western WA?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wsu-hero wsu-width--full wsu-pattern--wsu-light-radial-left  wsu-herou002du002dsize-xsmall wsu-hero--style-boxed \">\n\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__background\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-image-frame wsu-image-frame--fill\">\n\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/09\/MG-TSP3_PinkRhody.jpg\"\n\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/09\/MG-TSP3_PinkRhody.jpg 792w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/09\/MG-TSP3_PinkRhody.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/09\/MG-TSP3_PinkRhody.jpg 768w\"\n\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 792px) 100vw, 792px\"\n\t\talt=\"Pink rhododendron\"\n\t\tstyle=\"object-position: 54% 34%\"\n\t\t\/>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__overlay\">\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__content-wrapper\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__inner-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"wsu-hero__title\">Tip Sheet #3<br>New to Gardening in Western Washington?<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__caption\">Cultivating plants, people, and communities since 1973<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"wsu-button wsu-button--size-small\" href=\"https:\/\/mastergardener.wsu.edu\/how-to-donate\/\" >\n\t\t\t\t\tSupport the Master Gardener Program\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__content\">\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--single\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n<div class=\"breadcrumbs \" typeof=\"BreadcrumbList\" vocab=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/\"><span property=\"itemListElement\" typeof=\"ListItem\"><a property=\"item\" typeof=\"WebPage\" title=\"Go to WSU Extension.\" href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/\" class=\"main-home\" ><span property=\"name\">WSU Extension<\/span><\/a><meta property=\"position\" content=\"1\"><\/span> &gt; <span property=\"itemListElement\" typeof=\"ListItem\"><a property=\"item\" typeof=\"WebPage\" title=\"Go to King County .\" href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\" class=\"home\" aria-current=\"page\"><span property=\"name\">King County <\/span><\/a><meta property=\"position\" content=\"2\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--sidebar-right\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n<div class=\"wsu-decorator  wsu-decorator--style-block-crimson\" style=\"top:-1.5%;left:-3%;height:35%;width:60%\"><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wsu-overlap wsu-overlap-spotlight  wsu-overlap-spotlight--style-left-middle\">\r\n    <div class=\"wsu-overlap__container\">\r\n        <div class=\"wsu-overlap__column wsu-overlap--overlap-medium\">\r\n            <div class=\"wsu-overlap__column-inner\">\r\n                <div class=\"wsu-overlap-spotlight__image   wsu-notch--medium\">\r\n                    <div class=\"wsu-image-frame wsu-image--ratio-3-4\">\r\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/08\/MG-tip-sheets-cover-pexels-chuck-3728085-683x1024.jpg\"\r\n                        srcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/08\/MG-tip-sheets-cover-pexels-chuck-3728085-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/08\/MG-tip-sheets-cover-pexels-chuck-3728085-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/08\/MG-tip-sheets-cover-pexels-chuck-3728085-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/08\/MG-tip-sheets-cover-pexels-chuck-3728085-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/08\/MG-tip-sheets-cover-pexels-chuck-3728085.jpg 1280w\"\r\n                        sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\"\r\n                        alt=\"Open books with dried flowers and glasses\"\r\n                        style=\"object-position: 50% 50%\"\r\n                        \/>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        <div class=\"wsu-overlap__column wsu-overlap--surface-column wsu-overlap--overlap-medium\">\r\n            <div class=\"wsu-overlap__column-inner\">\r\n                <div class=\"wsu-overlap-spotlight__caption  wsu-dropshadow--medium\">\r\n                    \n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left  wsu-heading--style-marked wsu-font-size--xlarge\">King County Gardening Tip Sheets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left  wsu-font-size--xmedium\">Tip Sheet #3 &#8211; New to Gardening in Western Washington?<\/h2>\n\n                <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column  wsu-border--color-midnight\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n<article class=\"wsu-card wsu-card--outline-shadow wsu-spacing-top--none wsu-spacing-bottom--none wsu-color-background--gray-5\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-card__content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"wsu-title wsu-font-size--xxmedium\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMore Information\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wsu-card__content-custom\">\r\n\t\t\t\n    <nav class=\"wsu-navigation-vertical wsu-vertical-menu\">\n        <ul id=\"wsu-site-menu\" class=\"wsu-menu-collapse wsu-menu-collapse--style-vertical\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\">Master Gardeners<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/about\">About<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/educational-outreach\/ask-a-master-gardener\">Ask a Master Gardener<\/a><button aria-label=\"{Open submenu Ask a Master Gardener\" class=\"wsu-menu-collapse--action-toggle\"><\/button>\n<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/educational-outreach\/ask-a-master-gardener\/answer-clinics\">Answer Clinics<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/educational-outreach\">Educational outreach<\/a><button aria-label=\"{Open submenu Educational outreach\" class=\"wsu-menu-collapse--action-toggle\"><\/button>\n<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/educational-outreach\/many-demo-gardens\">Demonstration Gardens<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/educational-outreach\/speakers-bureau\">Speakers Bureau<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/educational-outreach\/youth-gardening\">Youth Garden and Nature Education<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/educational-outreach\/public-gardens\">Public Gardens<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/join-us\">Become a Master Gardener<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\">Gardening Resources<\/a><button aria-label=\"{Open submenu Gardening Resources\" class=\"wsu-menu-collapse--action-toggle\"><\/button>\n<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\">Gardening Tip Sheets<\/a><button aria-label=\"{Open submenu Gardening Tip Sheets\" class=\"wsu-menu-collapse--action-toggle\"><\/button>\n\t<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-1\">#1 Gardening Websites<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-2\">#2 Gardening Publications<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-3\">#3 New to Gardening in Western WA?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-4\">#4 Local Gardening Resources, Events<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-5\">#5 Edible Gardening<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-6\">#6 Container Gardening<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-7\">#7 Growing Tomatoes<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-8\">#8 Growing Herbs<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-9\">#9 Pest and Disease Control<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-10\">#10 Winter Flowering Shrubs<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-11\">#11 Lawns<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-12\">#12 Pollinator Friendly Gardening<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-13\">#13 Additional Gardening Publications<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-14\">#14 Climate Friendly Gardening<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/tip-sheet-15\">#15 Houseplants<\/a><\/li>\n\t<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/contact-us\">Contact Us<\/a><button aria-label=\"{Open submenu Contact Us\" class=\"wsu-menu-collapse--action-toggle\"><\/button>\n<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/contact-us\/county-mg-coordinator\">Contact the King County Master Gardener Coordinator<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/contact-us\/speakers-bureau-contact-page\">Speakers Bureau Contact Page<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/contact-us\/ask-a-master-gardener-contact-page\">Ask a Master Gardener Contact Page<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/contact-us\/request-translated-tip-sheets\">Request Translated Tip Sheet(s)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/contact-us\/request-youth-teaching-kit\">Request Youth Teaching Kit<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/contact-us\/request-youth-complex-activities-supplies\">Request Youth Complex Activities Supplies<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/volunteer-portal\">Volunteer Portal<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>    <\/nav>\n\n\t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/article>\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p>Are you new to this area or new to gardening? The information below will help you get off to a good start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-heading--style-marked\">Have a New Home?<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--sidebar-left\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column wsu-item-layoutu002du002dflex-column wsu-color-backgroundu002du002dgray-10\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"792\" height=\"528\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/09\/TSP3_JanpeseMaple.jpg\" alt=\"Japanese maple leaves\" class=\"wp-image-1164\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/09\/TSP3_JanpeseMaple.jpg 792w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/09\/TSP3_JanpeseMaple-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2024\/09\/TSP3_JanpeseMaple-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 792px) 100vw, 792px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column wsu-color-backgroundu002du002dgray-5\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Get acquainted with your landscape. Make a sketch of the yard and label all the plants you can identify. If you can, ask the seller about plants you don\u2019t recognize. Note which areas get sun or shade. To help you remember plants in the future, set up a folder labeled \u201cplant tags.\u201d As you buy plants, just put the tag that describes them into the folder. You may not want to make major changes the first year. Instead, update your sketch as the seasons change. You may find plants emerging that you didn\u2019t know were there.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-heading--style-marked\">Call Before You Dig<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--sidebar-left\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column wsu-item-layoutu002du002dflex-column wsu-color-backgroundu002du002dgray-10\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column wsu-color-backgroundu002du002dgray-5\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<p>If you plan to dig more than 12 inches underground, Washington law requires you to have utility lines located and marked so they won\u2019t be damaged. Call 811 two business days before you dig. Once utility lines are located (a free service), mark them on the landscape sketch you made.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-heading--style-marked\">Choose the Right Plants<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--sidebar-left\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column wsu-item-layoutu002du002dflex-column wsu-color-backgroundu002du002dgray-10\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column wsu-color-backgroundu002du002dgray-5\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<p><strong><em>Stay \u201cIn the Zone\u201d&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong>The U.S. Department of Agriculture divides the country into hardiness zones based on average lowest winter temperature. Most of King County is Zone 9 (20-30\u00b0 F) or Zone 8 (10-20\u00b0 F), but the eastern part is Zone 7 (0-10\u00b0 F) or Zone 6 (-10 to 0\u00b0 F). If you are not sure of your zone, ask a nearby nursery or Master Gardener clinic or confirm using your zip code on the <a href=\"https:\/\/planthardiness.ars.usda.gov\/\">USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map<\/a>. Nursery plant labels will usually indicate zone hardiness. You can go lower than the zone you are in but you should not go higher. For example, if you are in zone 8 you can use plants labeled for zone 7 or below. Plants that thrive in the higher zones are not cold-hardy and will not survive our winters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout Western Washington, varied topography gives rise to many microclimates \u2014 areas where local conditions may differ from those of the surrounding climate zone. WSU publication FS181E, \u201cHow to Determine Your Garden Microclimate,\u201d is available free at <a href=\"https:\/\/pubs.extension.wsu.edu\/\">WSU Extension Publications Store<\/a> and can help gardeners understand their unique growing conditions.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-heading--style-marked\">Pay Attention to Sun and Shade<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--sidebar-left\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column wsu-item-layoutu002du002dflex-column wsu-color-backgroundu002du002dgray-10\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column wsu-color-backgroundu002du002dgray-5\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<p>Plant labels will also indicate the plant\u2019s light requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><em><strong>Sun<\/strong><\/em>: at least 5 to 6 hours of direct sunlight each day during the growing season<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em><strong>Partial shade<\/strong><\/em>: 2 to 4 hours of sun a day<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em><strong>Shade<\/strong><\/em>: only filtered light for the entire day<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Sun-loving plants may survive in shade but won\u2019t prosper or bloom well. Shade-loving plants in sun will probably sunburn and may die.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a more detailed glossary of sun, shade and other gardening terms, see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatplantpicks.org\/resources\/glossary\">Great Plant Picks<\/a> website. The Great Plant Picks site is also an excellent for source for plant recommendations that do well in the Pacific Northwest.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-heading--style-marked\">Think Long Term<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--sidebar-left\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column wsu-item-layoutu002du002dflex-column wsu-color-backgroundu002du002dgray-10\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column wsu-color-backgroundu002du002dgray-5\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<p>Choosing plants that become too large for their location is a common gardening mistake. Don\u2019t think about the size of the plant now; consider its full-grown size. The plant tag should tell you the expected height and width of the mature plant. The Sunset Western Garden Book is a good reference for plant descriptions, including size and cultural requirements.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-heading--style-marked\">Select Short Season Vegetable Varieties<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--sidebar-left\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column wsu-item-layoutu002du002dflex-column wsu-color-backgroundu002du002dgray-10\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column wsu-color-backgroundu002du002dgray-5\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<p>Even though we have a long growing season, the weather is relatively cool, so you may not be able to grow some of the vegetables that thrive in hotter parts of the country. For example, tomatoes can be successfully grown here, but short-season varieties should be selected. Vegetable varieties listed in the <a href=\"https:\/\/territorialseed.com\/\">Territorial Seed catalog<\/a>, can reliably grow here; you needn\u2019t buy from them. Local nurseries generally stock seed and starts that do well here.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-heading--style-marked\">Proper Planting<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--sidebar-left\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column wsu-item-layoutu002du002dflex-column wsu-color-backgroundu002du002dgray-10\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column wsu-color-backgroundu002du002dgray-5\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<p>Landscape planting can be done in spring or fall. Dig a hole no deeper than the root mass and at least twice as wide. Remove any burlap and tying materials and loosen the roots. You want the roots to spread into native soil, so don\u2019t add any fertilizers, organic matter or other amendments. Place the plant so that the base of the stem or trunk is slightly above the soil surface. Unless the site is windy, don\u2019t stake plants. If you do use stakes, be sure to remove them after one growing season. For more planting advice, see WSU publication FS047E, \u201cPlanting Trees and Shrubs in the Landscape,\u201d available at <a href=\"https:\/\/pubs.extension.wsu.edu\/\">WSU Extension Publications Store<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-heading--style-marked\">Watering and Mulching<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--sidebar-left\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column wsu-item-layoutu002du002dflex-column wsu-color-backgroundu002du002dgray-10\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column wsu-color-backgroundu002du002dgray-5\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<p>Despite its rainy reputation, the Puget Sound area typically gets only 3 to 4 inches of rain for the entire summer. Some plants in your garden need an inch of water a week or more during this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The objective of good irrigation is to apply water carefully and slowly so that it wets the entire root zone. Quick, light sprinkling will not do the job. Frequent, shallow watering leads to shallow roots, and shallow roots lead to more rapid stress under dry or hot conditions. Water less frequently: once or twice a week but deeper. Take a trowel and dig down several inches and see whether water has penetrated to that level. Try to avoid watering from above the plant: Getting water on the leaves can encourage fungal diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider adding mulch to your landscape. Mulch will help retain moisture, control weeds and contribute to healthy soil. WSU recommends arborist wood chips. See WSU publication FS160E, \u201cUsing Arborist Wood Chips as Landscape Mulch\u201d, available at <a href=\"https:\/\/pubs.extension.wsu.edu\/\">WSU Extension Publications Store<\/a>, for more information.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-heading--style-marked\">Mowing<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--sidebar-left\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column wsu-item-layoutu002du002dflex-column wsu-color-backgroundu002du002dgray-10\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column wsu-color-backgroundu002du002dgray-5\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<p>Many people set their mowers too low and cut the grass too short. Set your mower so that it cuts the grass no shorter than 2 to 3 inches. Don\u2019t remove more than one-third of the grass leaf at any one cutting. That will encourage deeper, healthier roots, help retain moisture, and help the grass compete with weeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leave clippings on the lawn; they will quickly decompose and add nutrients back into the soil. Consider using a mulching mower to chop up grass clippings before depositing them on the lawn. Contrary to common belief, grass clippings do not cause a buildup of thatch. Avoid weed &amp; feed fertilizers.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Additional Master Gardener Tip Sheets, including \u201cGardening Websites\u201d and \u201cGardening Publications\u201d are available at <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/tip-sheets\/\">Tip Sheets<\/a>. Also see WSU\u2019s \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/mastergardener.wsu.edu\/resources\/gardening-in-washington-state\/\">Gardening in Washington State<\/a>\u201d and free downloads of WSU gardening publications at <a href=\"https:\/\/pubs.extension.wsu.edu\/\">WSU Extension Publications Store<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Feature image by&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/photos\/rhododendron-blossom-bloom-spring-3407271\/\">AnnCa<\/a>. Detail image by&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/photos\/acer-leaves-colour-maple-leaf-2416056\/\">Alex B.<\/a><\/p>\n\n        <div id=\"cahnrs-back-to-top\" class=\"cahnrs-back-to-top\" hidden aria-hidden=\"true\">\n            <a id=\"cahnrs-back-to-top-btn\" class=\"cahnrs-back-to-top__btn\" href=\"#product-top\" aria-label=\"Back to top\">\n                <span class=\"cahnrs-back-to-top__icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u2191<\/span>\n                <span class=\"cahnrs-back-to-top__label\">Back to top<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Are you new to this area or new to gardening? The information below will help you get off to a good start. Have a New Home? Call Before You Dig [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":0,"parent":551,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_expiration_date":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1165"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/61"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1165"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1165\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4310,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1165\/revisions\/4310"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/551"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1165"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1165"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/king\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1165"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}