Buds and Blades Landscape Company

Buds and Blades Landscape Company Buds and Blades provides prompt and friendly landscaping maintenance services.

Smart Irrigation Management is Essential for Western WA Commercial Properties In Western Washington, our weather is anyt...
04/08/2026

Smart Irrigation Management is Essential for Western WA Commercial Properties

In Western Washington, our weather is anything but predictable. We famously swing from weeks of torrential Pacific Northwest rain to bone-dry, scorching summers in the blink of an eye. For property managers and business owners, this volatility creates a massive challenge: how do you maintain elite curb appeal without flushing your utility budget down the drain?

The "set-it-and-forget-it" approach to irrigation is a relic of the past. If your system is still running on a static timer during a July drizzle, you aren’t just wasting water—you’re actively hurting your landscape’s health and your property's bottom line.

The Real Cost of Inefficient Irrigation

Your landscape is the first thing clients and tenants see. When irrigation is poorly managed, landscape investments die off during dry spells, leading to expensive replacements. Conversely, overwatering leads to root rot, fungal diseases, and hazardous sidewalk flooding.

Professional irrigation management isn’t just about "watering the grass"; it’s about asset protection and sustainability.

Modern Solutions for the Puget Sound Climate

To stay ahead of the weather, our specialized team implements a three-pillar approach to commercial irrigation:

1. Smart Controllers & High-Tech Precision
We’ve moved beyond simple clocks. Modern Smart Controllers adjust watering schedules in real-time based on local weather data. When combined with Rainwater Sensors, your system automatically shuts off the moment it detects precipitation. This "intelligent" automation can reduce water consumption by up to 30%, significantly lowering operating costs.

2. Seasonal Audits & Proactive Repairs
A single broken sprinkler head or a hidden underground leak can waste thousands of gallons before it’s even noticed. Our team performs regular seasonal audits to check for:

* Clogged nozzles and misaligned heads that spray pavement instead of plants.

* Pressure issues that cause "misting" and water evaporation.

* Subsurface leaks that cause erosion and property damage.

3. Strategic Hydrozoning
Not every plant has the same thirst. We utilize Hydrozoning to group turf, ornamental shrubs, and trees into specific zones. By delivering tailored hydration based on specific species' needs, we ensure your entire property thrives while eliminating unnecessary runoff.

Protect Your Property’s Curb Appeal

Don’t let inefficient irrigation degrade your ROI or your reputation. Our team handles, repairs, and optimizes commercial systems across the entire Puget Sound region, ensuring your landscape stays lush while your budget stays lean.

Stop wasting water and start saving.

Shopping For A Lower Price? Don't Neglect Quality & Results Over PriceWhen comparing landscaping bids, consider the "Tot...
03/17/2026

Shopping For A Lower Price? Don't Neglect Quality & Results Over Price

When comparing landscaping bids, consider the "Total Cost of Ownership." The cheapest upfront price often results in poor plant health, faster wear on hardscaping, and higher maintenance costs over time. Our goal is to provide sustainable beauty and robust construction, fostering long-term value for your business and home rather than temporary, low-value fixes.

As a landscape company committed to high-quality results, we do not offer a reduced frequency service. Our goal is to ensure each property reaches its peak visual and environmental performance, which in turn increases the property's value.

In our experience, reducing service frequency can negatively impact the landscape's health and appearance. We want to ensure your property receives the required level of care. We understand if you need to explore other options that better fit a different budget, but we stand by our weekly maintenance schedule to maintain our standards of work.

In the long run, cutting corners causes the landscape to suffer and reduces your property's value.

It's Not Too Late! Leaf Removal & March PrepWhile March is for waking up the garden, proper fall care—generally done in ...
03/16/2026

It's Not Too Late! Leaf Removal & March Prep

While March is for waking up the garden, proper fall care—generally done in late October through November in the PNW—sets the stage for an easier spring.

Leaf Management: Regularly rake or blow leaves from lawns and garden beds to prevent mold growth, which thrives in wet conditions.

Winterizing Plants:

** Protect Vulnerable Plants: Use burlap or frost cloth to wrap delicate shrubs and wrap newly planted trees to prevent freeze damage.

** Remove Hiding Spots: Clean up debris near the house foundation to reduce pests.

** Soil Preparation: Add compost or manure to garden beds to improve soil structure and health over the winter.

** Tool Maintenance: Sharpen pruning tools, clean off dirt, and oil wooden handles to ensure they are ready for spring.

South Puget Sound Specific Tips

** W**d Early: March is the best time to tackle weeds like buttercup and Himalayan blackberry seedlings before they establish deep roots.

** Manage Heavy Soils: If your soil is heavy clay, wait to work it until it is slightly drier to prevent compaction.

** Rodent Control: With early spring, check that rodents aren't making nests in your mulched areas, especially near the house foundation.

By balancing these cleanup tasks in March, you can ensure a healthy, thriving landscape that can handle the Pacific Northwest's unpredictable weather.

March Spring Prep: Waking Up the Garden Early March is the prime time to prepare soil and plants for the rapid growth th...
03/16/2026

March Spring Prep: Waking Up the Garden

Early March is the prime time to prepare soil and plants for the rapid growth that follows in April and May.

Perennial Cuts and Herbaceous Cleanups:

** Cut back last year's growth: Cut down dead foliage on herbaceous perennials and ornamental grasses to 2-3 inches above the ground before new growth emerges.

** Evergreen Perennials: Cut back evergreen and semi-evergreen perennials (like Penstemon or Lavender) just above new growth starting at the base.

** Clear Debris: Remove accumulated mushy leaves and dead stems from beds to prevent fungal disease, which is common in the wet PNW spring.

Mulching for W**d Suppression:

** Apply a 2-3 inch layer: Now is the time to apply organic mulch (wood chips, compost, or bark) to beds. This suppresses weeds early, saving maintenance time later.

** Protect crowns: Keep mulch a few inches away from plant crowns to prevent rot.

Early March Pruning:

** Fruit Trees & Shrubs: Prune dormant fruit trees and shrubs to improve structure and health, removing dead or damaged branches.

** Winter Protection Removal: By mid-March, remove heavy mulch or protective covers from sensitive plants, asparagus, and strawberry beds to allow them to push through.

03/09/2026

Breckenridge Heights Apartment Homes pre-Spring color beds planting.

Pre- Spring Color At Breckenridge Heights Apartments
03/09/2026

Pre- Spring Color At Breckenridge Heights Apartments

03/04/2026

Time To Think About Annual Color!

03/04/2026

OH DEER!!! Annual Flowers They Dislike

No plant is truly 'deer-proof' if deer are hungry enough. Several annual flowers are highly resistant to browsing and thrive in Western Washington.

Top deer-resistant annuals for Western Washington include Marigolds, Lantana, Verbena, and Sweet Alyssum, which thrive in the region's climate while repelling deer with strong scents, bitter taste, or textures. These plants provide consistent color from spring through frost, ideal for borders, containers, and hanging baskets.

Top Deer-Resistant Annuals for Western Washington:

* Marigolds: Easy to grow, strong-smelling, and highly resistant to browsing.

* Lantana: Heat-loving, vibrant, and generally ignored by deer.

* Verbena (especially Verbena bonariensis): Long-blooming with clusters of color.

* Sweet Alyssum: Excellent low-growing, scented ground cover or filler.

* Ageratum (Flossflower): Bitter leaves make them reliable.

* Salvia (Annual): Strong fragrance keeps deer away.

* Euphorbia ('Diamond Frost'): Milky sap is unappealing to deer.

* Cosmos & Cleome: Tall, tough-textured options that work well in mixed beds.

* Geraniums (Pelargonium): Scented leaves are typically ignored.

Tips for Success:

* Texture and Scent: Deer dislike strong-smelling (marigolds, sage) or fuzzy/thorny plants (cleome, strawflower).

* Layering: Surround less-resistant plants with these, or use them in hanging baskets to keep them out of reach.

* Early Protection: Even deer-resistant plants may be sampled when young; consider protecting them until they are established.

02/24/2026

🌼✨ The Daffodils Are Almost Here! ✨🌼

We’re starting to see signs that the daffodils will begin blooming next week! If the weather cooperates, the fields will soon be filling with vibrant shades of yellow, creating the breathtaking scenes we all look forward to each year.

There’s nothing quite like springtime in La Conner when the valley comes alive with color. 💛 Stay tuned for bloom updates, and get ready to grab your camera and take in the beauty!

Who’s excited for daffodil season? 🌼📸

Photo Credit: Rakan AlDuaij Photography

Oh No My Perfect Lawn Has Mushrooms!Mushrooms in your lawn indicate healthy, organic-rich soil, often appearing due to e...
02/21/2026

Oh No My Perfect Lawn Has Mushrooms!

Mushrooms in your lawn indicate healthy, organic-rich soil, often appearing due to excess moisture, shade, or decomposing organic matter like buried wood/roots. While harmless to grass, they thrive on overwatering and thatch. Remove them by raking, mowing, or reducing water; they are a sign of natural, healthy, and breaking-down organic material.

Key Takeaways & Solutions

* Why they are there: Mushrooms are the "fruiting body" of fungi breaking down organic matter (dead roots, old stumps, pet waste, thatch) in wet, shaded, or compacted soil.

* Are they bad? Generally no. They are "nature's recyclers" and indicate good soil health.

* How to get rid of them:

* Reduce Water: Mushrooms thrive in wet conditions; avoid evening watering and water deeply, but less frequently.

* Dethatch and Aerate: Remove excessive thatch (dead grass layer) and aerate to improve soil oxygen.

* Remove Food Sources: Dig up old buried wood, roots, or pet waste.

* Physical Removal: Simply rake, mow (though this can spread spores, say), or knock them over.

* When to Worry: If they form "fairy rings" (large circles), they might cause localized dry spots, requiring specialized treatment.

In most cases, letting the lawn dry out will cause the mushrooms to disappear on their own.

Never Kill The Mycelium (Do Not Use Any Fungicide)

Killing mycelium in your lawn is generally not advised, as it is usually a sign of healthy, nutrient-rich soil. These fungi break down organic matter—like dead roots and thatch—to feed your grass. While unsightly mushrooms can be removed, killing the underlying network is unnecessary and can disrupt the soil ecosystem.

* Benefits of Mycelium: It acts as nature’s recycler, improving soil structure and aiding nutrient uptake.

* When to Act: If the mycelium causes Fairy Rings (discolored rings of grass) or covers large areas, it may indicate excess thatch or poor drainage.

* Better Solutions: Instead of using chemicals to kill it, aerate the soil and reduce moisture.

* Safety Note: If you have children or pets, it is best to remove the mushrooms themselves to avoid ingestion risks.

Generally, the mycelium is doing beneficial work under the surface and should be left alone.

02/21/2026

Oh No My Perfect Lawn Has Mushrooms!

Mushrooms in your lawn or beds indicate healthy, organic-rich soil, often appearing due to excess moisture, shade, or decomposing organic matter like buried wood/roots. While harmless to grass, they thrive on overwatering and thatch. Remove them by raking, mowing, or reducing water; they are a sign of natural, healthy, and breaking-down organic material.

Key Takeaways & Solutions

* Why they are there: Mushrooms are the "fruiting body" of fungi breaking down organic matter (dead roots, old stumps, pet waste, thatch) in wet, shaded, or compacted soil.

* Are they bad? Generally no. They are "nature's recyclers" and indicate good soil health.

* How to get rid of them:

* Reduce Water: Mushrooms thrive in wet conditions; avoid evening watering and water deeply, but less frequently.

* Dethatch and Aerate: Remove excessive thatch (dead grass layer) and aerate to improve soil oxygen.

* Remove Food Sources: Dig up old buried wood, roots, or pet waste.

* Physical Removal: Simply rake, mow (though this can spread spores, say), or knock them over.

* When to Worry: If they form "fairy rings" (large circles), they might cause localized dry spots, requiring specialized treatment.

In most cases, letting the lawn dry out will cause the mushrooms to disappear on their own.

Never Kill The Mycelium (Do Not Use Any Fungicide)

Killing mycelium in your lawn is generally not advised, as it is usually a sign of healthy, nutrient-rich soil. These fungi break down organic matter—like dead roots and thatch—to feed your grass. While unsightly mushrooms can be removed, killing the underlying network is unnecessary and can disrupt the soil ecosystem.

* Benefits of Mycelium: It acts as nature’s recycler, improving soil structure and aiding nutrient uptake.

* When to Act: If the mycelium causes Fairy Rings (discolored rings of grass) or covers large areas, it may indicate excess thatch or poor drainage.

* Better Solutions: Instead of using chemicals to kill it, aerate the soil and reduce moisture.

* Safety Note: If you have children or pets, it is best to remove the mushrooms themselves to avoid ingestion risks.

Generally, the mycelium is doing beneficial work under the surface and should be left alone.

Address

Olympia, WA
98540

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm

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