For the Plants, Wildlife & People.
At Limb and Light, we see every garden as a canvas awaiting its masterpiece. Our suite of offerings includes bespoke design and installation, thoughtful maintenance, and individualized coaching.
Partner with Limb and Light to transform your garden into a vibrant testament to nature's resilience and beauty. Dive into a journey of ecological enrichment and aesthetic elegance with us.
Design & Installation
In our experience, gardens are the most enriching when you don’t have to fight weeds or worry about watering. Our clients’ spaces are designed to not only be attractive, but also reduce maintenance requirements over time—without the use of any chemicals.
Combining your intentions for the space with our gardening principles, we will create a design plan and bid. Our planting ideas are created based on your unique landscape, including: sunlight, water flow, soil composition, and pre-existing plants. We aim to include at least 75% native plant species in our designs; however, we work with you to find the perfect balance of plants!
Projects we enjoy include, but are not limited to: mulching, grass removal, weed control, native and/or edible plantings, mushroom cultivation, composting, rain gardens, and cisterns.
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We offer installation timeframes based on your needs and/or budget. In fact, larger projects often work well in phases; for example, removing a turf lawn in the summer and planting in the fall. Additionally, we love clients who want to be an active part in their garden’s growth, and we are happy to guide you through the process as well. See below for more information on coaching.
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It is critical that we design our urban spaces without causing more destruction in the process. We rarely use heavy machinery that disrupts delicate soil ecosystems; instead we work to enhance the natural features of your space.
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All of our mulch, soil and compost is locally sourced, allowing us to buy in bulk and skip plastic bags entirely. We do not use dyed or color-enhanced bark because the nutrient content is insufficient, and it takes a very long time to decompose. Where possible, we employ the use of a free service called ChipDrop, which supports local arborists! We love to tastefully incorporate “waste” items such as logs and stumps into our designs, to ensure critical nutrients are recycled back into the local ecosystem, protect your plants and reduce weeds. Additional debris is always taken to a Seattle transfer station where it is turned into compost via Cedar Grove.
Maintenance
We are dedicated to providing quality maintenance for your space, no matter the season. Maintenance with a consistent, highly skilled team is one of the best gifts you can give your garden! We listen to natural cycles in order to properly care for the long-term health of your plants, and we are vigilant to changes that require attention.
Maintenance can be as frequent or infrequent as you need. Based on your budget and the condition of your space, we typically suggest bi-weekly, monthly or quarterly plans.
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Does your space need serious care before any planning can happen? No judgment! Our one-time cleanups are great for overgrown gardens, i.e. weeds and/or invasive plants have taken over. Typically we suggest sheet mulching in conjunction with most cleanups, to put your garden on the path to low-maintenance success!
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Here at Limb & Light, we put an end to mal-pruning! Our qualified team works hard to ensure your plants don’t become overgrown, without sacrificing their natural shape. Improper pruning can lead to major issues down the line, including stunted growth, disease, awkward shaping and even death.
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During each visit, we clear off all hardscapes on the property with a leaf blower to reduce safety hazards from rain and debris. We acknowledge that battery-powered tools have their own environmental issues; however, they are necessary at times. Electric power tools are quieter and better for our health.
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We encourage clients to leave the leaves, at least until early spring. Trees cleverly shed their leaves to recycle nutrients back to their root systems, and many beneficial insects and pollinators “over-winter” in the leafy debris. We always rake leaves off of your turf grass, and we will selectively tuck them into garden beds. We do not blow leaves or debris out of garden beds, as this is a harmful practice. On special occasions, leaves may be diseased or allelopathic and require removal. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions!
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We offer limited lawn care services to clients who also have naturescaping needs and/or minimal grass sections. We can also support you in transitioning some or all of your turf lawns into more eco-friendly plantings.
Coaching
Part of our mission is to help our clients feel confident in caring for their spaces, always with a sustainability focus. When we are willing to put our hands in the soil and listen to Nature, the garden becomes one of our most positive teachers. Becoming intimately acquainted with the plants and wildlife in your landscape is to see them as our Kin, and something worthy of your time to protect.
Our in-person coaching includes, but is not limited to, guidance on: plant identification, DIY projects, pruning practices, proper plant installation and watering, growing food, composting and more! Afterwards you will receive typed-up meeting notes including relevant resources that will help you get started.
“Nature is not a place to visit.
It is home.”
— Gary Snyder