Seattle summers are pure magic — long, golden evenings, warm breezes, and gardens that seem to burst into life overnight.
If you’re dreaming of a vibrant, thriving garden this year, you’re not alone. I’m right there with you, learning and growing every season.
I’m lucky enough to have two beautiful, large gardens that my dad — a true master gardener — poured his heart into. Now that I’m tending them myself, I’m realizing that gardening is its own kind of adventure. Some days I feel like I’m getting the hang of it… and other days, I’m learning all over again! 🌱
If you’re on your own gardening journey, here are some simple, tried-and-true tips that have been helping me — and hopefully will help you too — to grow a little more each season.
Start with plants that naturally thrive in our Pacific Northwest summers.
Some of my favorites are lavender, rosemary, dahlias, and hydrangeas — not just because they’re beautiful, but because they’re forgiving too!
Mixing in native plants helps create a garden that feels effortless and connected to the land.
Seattle summers can actually be quite dry once July rolls around!
I’ve learned that deep, infrequent watering is the secret — encouraging strong roots that can withstand hot spells.
Adding mulch around your plants keeps that precious moisture from evaporating, and a drip system (even a basic one) can be a game-changer.
The longer days and warmer soil are perfect for summer veggies like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans, and squash.
You can start seeds indoors in spring or pick up healthy starts from one of our amazing local nurseries if you’re like me and sometimes need a little shortcut!
Even hardy plants need a little protection when the sun is relentless.
Simple fixes like shade cloth, patio umbrellas, or trellises can save your most delicate flowers and veggies from wilting or sunburn. (I’m still figuring out the art of not letting my lettuce bolt by August!)
If I could give one piece of advice from my own trial-and-error: mulch early and often!
A thick layer of organic mulch — like compost, bark, or straw — helps:
Lock in moisture
Keep roots cool
Keep pesky weeds at bay
It also just makes your beds look neat and finished, which I love.
In my gardens, slugs and aphids are the two usual suspects.
Using organic solutions like neem oil and encouraging natural predators (like ladybugs!) has been a gentle, PNW-friendly way to protect my plants without harming bees or butterflies.
One of the biggest joys of gardening is sharing your bounty.
I’ve learned that the more you harvest, the more your plants produce.
Gather your ripe tomatoes, fresh herbs, and crunchy cucumbers — and savor the flavors of summer with your family, friends, and neighbors.
One of the best things about gardening here in the Pacific Northwest is that we have amazing local resources to help you along the way.
If you need soil, compost, mulch, or expert advice, check out some of our locally sourced favorites:
Cedar Grove Compost – Premium compost and mulch made right here in Washington. and available directly from their markets or at nurseries and local box stores
Carpinito Brothers – Family-owned, offering soil, plants, mulch, and produce in Kent.
Sublime Gardens Nursery – Independent nursery in Renton, specializing in native plants and beautiful garden art.
Supporting local businesses not only keeps our gardens healthy — it keeps our communities thriving too.
Lavender
Dahlias
Hydrangeas (These I do very well will, keeping alive that is)
Rosemary
Tomatoes (So many tomato’s!!!)
Zucchini
Sunflowers (Always my daughters favorite)
Cucumbers
Basil
Snapdragons
Every garden — and every gardener — is a work in progress.
If you’re out there watering, weeding, and wondering what you planted in that one corner… you’re doing it right. I’m still figuring it out too, and that’s part of what makes it so rewarding.
Here’s to learning, growing, and blooming — together. 🌼
Happy gardening!
Hey there! I’m Maureen, a community blogger and Real Estate Broker at American Classic Homes Real Estate in the Pacific Northwest. Here to help you find your perfect home and share tips on living your best life in the PNW. Let’s come home together to the Pacific Northwest!
Unveiling Pacific NW Bests and Real Estate advice so you never miss a thing!
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