Grow Wild (Plant Smart): Summer Garden Hacks for the Pacific Northwest

Whether you're working with a sprawling backyard in Mount Vernon or a balcony planter box in downtown Bellingham, summer gardening in the Pacific Northwest is full of possibilities! 

As your local real estate team, we’ve walked through hundreds of gardens and outdoor spaces (perk of the job!) and we’ve gathered a bouquet of tips, tricks, and hacks that make gardening in the PNW easier, more beautiful, and way more fun.

So grab your gloves, pour a glass of iced tea (or a lavender lemonade if you're fancy), and let’s dig into some easy, breezy summer gardening and landscaping ideas for the Pacific Northwest.

What Makes PNW Gardens So Special?

Gardening in the PNW is a vibe all its own. Here's why it's kind of a big deal:

• Mild summers = longer growing seasons (goodbye, tomato tantrums)
• Cool nights + moist air = thriving greens but also... slugs (we'll get into that!) 
• Tons of microclimates (your neighbor’s garden might feel like Hawaii while yours screams Scotland)

Understanding these quirks sets you up for gardening success, whether you’re growing herbs in pots or revamping your whole front yard.

Gardening Hacks for Pacific Northwest Summers

1. Plant Like a Local: Use Native & Low-Maintenance Beauties

Native plants are the secret sauce to low-effort, high-reward gardens. They thrive in our climate, don’t need much water once established, and support bees, butterflies, and birds.

PNW MVPs include:

• Red-flowering currant 
• Oregon grape 
• Salal 
• Lupine 
• Sword ferns for texture galore

Pair native plants with easy perennials (things like echinacea and hostas) and your garden will be buzzing with life, and basically take care of itself.

2. Container Gardening for Small Spaces with Big Personality

No yard? No problem. Container gardening is perfect for balconies, patios, porches, or even a sunny kitchen window.

Our favorite hacks:

• Use grow bags: they drain well and can move with the sun!
• Mix herbs, flowers, and compact veggies for mini edible jungles
• Add water-holding crystals to the soil so your plants stay hydrated on hot days
• Try dwarf blueberries, trailing nasturtiums, cherry tomatoes, or basil so you can literally enjoy the fruits of your labor.

3. Mulch Just About Everything (Seriously)

Mulch is your BFF in the summer. It keeps soil moist during dry spells, blocks weeds from crashing the party, and helps prevent soil erosion.

Best mulch options:

• Fine bark (great for aesthetics and function)
• Straw for veggie beds
• Compost for a nutrient-rich boost
• Pine needles or shredded leaves for a free, natural touch

Bonus: Mulch breaks down over time and feeds your soil so it's doing more than just looking pretty.

4. Smarter Watering = Healthier Plants

Even in the PNW, we get those stretches of sun that leave our gardens thirsty. But watering smarter beats watering more.

Try this:

• Water early morning to reduce evaporation
• Use drip lines or soaker hoses
• Stick your finger 2 inches into the soil—if it’s still damp, skip watering!
• Group plants by water needs, too. Your drought-loving lavender shouldn’t share space with thirsty hydrangeas

5. Slay the Slugs (Without Losing Your Mind)

Slugs are basically tiny garden vandals. Cute? Maybe. Helpful? Never.

Our best slug defense:

• Sprinkle crushed eggshells or diatomaceous earth around plants
• Set out a shallow dish of beer (sounds weird but they strangely love it)
• Go copper—slug collars or copper tape really do work
• Water in the morning, not at night, to avoid soggy conditions they love

6. Vertical Gardening = More Space + Style

Short on space? Go UP! Vertical gardening is ideal for small yards or adding structure to large ones.

Ideas:

• Trellises for peas, beans, cucumbers
• Hanging baskets with strawberries, mint, or cascading flowers
• Wall planters for leafy greens and herbs

Vertical elements also make your garden look more designed and less like a jungle gone rogue.

7. Grow What Loves Our Climate

Lean into what thrives in the PNW and you'll spend less time troubleshooting and more time harvesting.

Best bets:

• Leafy greens (kale, chard, lettuce—grow all the salads!)
• Peas, beans, and broccoli
• Zucchini and bush tomatoes (sun = essential)
• Strawberries and raspberries (we are the berry capital, after all)

Pro tip: Choose varieties labeled “short season” for a higher success rate.

8. Invite Pollinators to the Party

Want more veggies? More flowers? Then you need more pollinators.

Pollinator-friendly plants to add:

• Bee balm
• Lavender
• Borage
• Yarrow
• Cosmos

These not only boost your blooms, they make your garden feel alive and whimsical. Plus, butterflies make any backyard look magical.

Easy Summer Landscaping Upgrades

Gardens are just one piece of the outdoor puzzle! Landscaping ties it all together. Whether you’re boosting curb appeal or creating a chill retreat, here are some PNW-friendly ideas that don’t require a full overhaul.

1. Hardscaping = Less Maintenance, More Style

Gravel paths, stone borders, and wood chips can clean up your garden beds and reduce mowing or weeding. Use natural materials like basalt or local river rock to blend with our lush surroundings.

2. Plant a Privacy Wall

Skip the fence and go green with a living privacy screen. Try:

• Bamboo (clumping only!)
• Tall grasses
• Arborvitae
• Espaliered fruit trees (functional and fabulous)

3. Low-Mow Lawns or Lawn Alternatives

Tired of mowing? We feel you. Try:

• Eco-lawn blends (clover + fescue = less water + no fertilizer)
• Creeping thyme or native groundcovers
• Expanding your garden beds with bark, boulders, or flowering borders

Landscaping doesn’t have to be high-maintenance to be high impact. Small changes = big visual payoff.

Can a Beautiful Garden Help Sell a Home? 

As your friendly Bellingham real estate team, we have to let you in on a little secret: a thoughtful garden or tidy landscape can absolutely help a buyer fall in love.

Whether it’s raised beds bursting with tomatoes or a charming gravel path lined with lavender, buyers remember outdoor spaces that feel loved. And as a bonus, your outdoor space gives you something beautiful to enjoy right now, even before you sell.

Looking for more ways to boost curb appeal or create a garden that helps your home stand out? That’s our jam. Let’s talk.

Having a green thumb not really your thing? We've got you! We have some of the best local landscapers and garden experts on speed dial and we're always happy to make a connection!  

Grow Where You’re Planted

Summer in the PNW gives us all a chance to connect with nature, get our hands in the dirt, and make something beautiful, no matter the size of your space! 

Whether you’re growing herbs on your windowsill, planting a pollinator paradise, or turning your front yard into a Pacific Northwest oasis, we’re cheering you on. And if you're still dreaming of that perfect backyard garden? Let us help you find the home that fits your vision. 

We’re local, we’re garden lovers, and we’d love to help you dig into life in Bellingham and beyond.