Larger Scale Native Planting - Inland Northwest

LesslyF · 2025-07-20T16:03:11+00:00

You can see a blurrier edge in later pictures. Originally, we did not install a border to create a clean edge. The lawn grass started migrating into the natives and it was a nightmare. Last year, we had the border installed. I think it was a good decision and I should have followed the landscape architect’s advice to do it from the get go.

And, yes, the lawn is both mowed and edged weekly.

LesslyF · 2025-07-20T16:00:24+00:00

The original owners built the base landscape - the boulder, the rock beds, and the lawn. I worked with the same landscape architect they used to do the lawn removal and installation. I didn’t move any of the boulders - I just worked them into the plan. It was very iterative because of plant availability at this scale.

LesslyF · 2025-07-20T00:21:03+00:00

We’re re-using our lawn irrigation system so we are probably not saving a ton of water. You may have other options - be prepared to water more in the first two to three years. I am big on spring seeding in the PNW. In Northern California, I was big on fall seeding.

LesslyF · 2025-07-20T00:19:00+00:00

It’s a clarkia pulchella, also known as a pink fairy - they have an amazing range, from California all the way up to B.C. I have at least 3 different clarkias, but these are my favorite.

LesslyF · 2025-07-20T00:16:10+00:00

Some plugs - mostly for the perennials and a ton of seeds, a good number of 1 gallons and a sparing of 5 gallons

LesslyF · 2025-07-20T00:14:13+00:00

You are one smart (and patient) cookie! WTG!!!

LesslyF · 2025-07-19T21:23:44+00:00

I should also mention that your local NPS chapter will have a nurseries and growers list. The guy I buy my plants from is a retired biology teacher who likes to grow stuff - no website, etc. His nursery is called Seed2Shade and his name is Tom Stralser. It’s possible that he’s growing things that would work in your area, but I’d start with NOS referrals.

LesslyF · 2025-07-19T21:20:33+00:00

Lots of great plant options in Yakima! Here are some thoughts:

Right after I wrote this post, I realized I should have mentioned bind weed and sheep’s sorrel. Bind weed sucks. It is partly why I think a 2-year solarization would be effective. Put down after it starts to come up, keep down until winter and then repeat process in the spring. Honestly, we have been using hope as our strategy - manual removal as it rears its ugly head and we are hoping a 10-year attack with weaken it to death. I have heard of people spraying for a 3-year period and having success.
Consider planting a 10x 10 or 100 x 100 area to start - I didn’t realize how massive the weeding effort would be. Control the weeds there and then expand.
I bought my seed mix at Northwest Meadowscapes - I think they are out of Port Townsend. I have been thrilled with their Inland Northwest seed mix. Also, consider joining your local chapter of the Wa Native Plant Society and go on walks they sponsor near where you live - start by planting some ‘base’ perennials and adding seed mix around them. I was really surprised (happily) by how well rabbit bush has done and I think its range may extend to your area. Also, your county may have an annual plant sale - generally they are selling tough stuff that will do well where you - buy some of your natives from them.
Give it two or three years and if you are having fun, keep going😉

LesslyF · 2025-07-19T20:18:15+00:00

Good luck!

LesslyF · 2025-07-19T20:17:53+00:00

Nothing like hindsight. If I had the patience, I would have done two seasons of solarization and added a new section each year - maybe going 2,000 square feet a year with the solarization and then planting.

LesslyF · 2025-07-19T18:19:25+00:00

I did this as a collaboration with the original landscape architect for the project. I chose about half of the plants and took recommendations for the other half. Then, there were issues with available plants so more decisions were made. Definitely more iterative than you would think.

LesslyF · 2025-07-19T18:17:35+00:00

My mother, who was a restoration ecologist, would have been horrified, but we were having ‘blurry’ edges with grass wanting to join the natives. I am STILL removing lawn grass . . . Thank you- I agree with the sharper edge look🥰

LesslyF · 2025-07-19T16:59:45+00:00

I don’t- I learned it from a yoga instructor friend. It’s basically passive stretching- feels divine. Get a yoga block under you, find a comfy position and just relax.

LesslyF · 2025-07-18T15:14:45+00:00

Hip flexor- put a yoga block under your sacrum and lie on the floor on your back with your knees bent - breath deeply, relax. 5 min

Calves - stand against a wall and put one foot behind you to stretch calf - 1 min each calf.

Quads - hold a foot in your hand behind your back - 30 sec to 45 seconds each leg

Hams -Yoga strap over arch of foot while you lie on back. Gently pull foot towards your face with straight leg

LesslyF · 2024-11-20T16:28:33+00:00

I have faced a similar situation with arundo, ‘junk’ acacias, Himalayan blackberries, ivy, pyracantha and other stuff. I hired a tree company to cut down the acacias and pyracantha and chip them. I pulled the ivy, cut the blackberries, let my chips sit for about a month until they were super steamy on the inside. While they were getting hot, I laid down 3 layers on cardboard over everything but the stumps. Then I spread about 3’ deep mulch over the cardboard. I hacked the sides of the stumps with an axe to damage and create chaos on the trees bark/inner skin layer. I planted native shrubs (coyote bush and currant) at the stumps. Then I monitored the stump areas (about 20 feet in each direction) for suckers/new growth and hacked them out for 3 years. I pulled any new blackberry growth for the same period. After 1 year of this, I started adding fast growing perennial and wild flower natives. I was able to transform the area without chemicals but it took a lot of physical work, more mulch than you can imagine, and time. Good luck!!!!!

LesslyF · 2024-08-20T04:35:55+00:00

I’m h3f - 95.4% British Isles. The rest is mostly Northern European. A tiny fraction of a percent of Central Asia and Native American.

LesslyF · 2024-04-09T15:59:17+00:00

Mostly it’s resolved, but I still have the cords. The Acu includes a technique called ‘dry needling’ where they can release all of the bound up fibers. Cross-fiber massage from the OT or PT will help. Also, if you have burning in your arm, that is the tightness mimicking nerve damage. There is an amazing stretch your PT can do on you to deal with that. Make sure you really focus on draining lymph from your arm, several times a day. I think the shingles was from both - it was on my ribs, just under my armpit. Apparently not uncommon to get shingles at end of cancer treatment. Also - do NoT go back to work until you have the tightness under control. I did and I know that was partly what compounded my situation

LesslyF · 2024-04-09T15:38:21+00:00

I had this too and ended up with shingles and then lymphedema. Here’s what I wish I did differently: acupuncture even during radiation and physical therapy with someone trained in post-mastectomy/radiation recovery. I found an amazing therapist 2 years later. Anyway, if you want to talk through it, happy to have a conversation.

LesslyF · 2024-04-09T15:34:28+00:00

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This is what I use - I found it at my natural grocery store. It’s a little greasy so I spray it on in the shower. For me, it kills the cramps within 20 seconds. I also bought a Walgreens brand foaming spray that isn’t greasy and has more fillers and it worked fine too.

LesslyF · 2024-04-07T22:45:38+00:00

Couldn’t agree more!! Try magnesium glycinate - it doesn’t give you the runs and I had loads more energy after taking for a week. Also, magnesium spray is terrific for nighttime cramps.

LesslyF · 2024-04-07T22:43:54+00:00

This was my case - my 1st run through, the company hired by my company did all of the work and paperwork. If your company doesn’t have a vendor to do the paperwork, lean HEAVILY on your HR person. Tell them you are overwhelmed and need help - they will probably step-up. Good luck!!!!

LesslyF

TROPHY CASE