Whether you’re managing a corporate campus, HOA, retail center, or multifamily community, now’s the time to shift from spring cleanup mode to proactive growth management. Below is a focused checklist to ensure your property stays healthy, vibrant, and visually appealing heading into peak season.

Irrigation System Optimization

By May, irrigation season is officially underway in the Puget Sound region.

• Complete your irrigation startup if not already done.
• Check for clogged nozzles, misaligned heads, or leaks—even small inefficiencies can lead to big issues in the dry months ahead.
• Begin seasonal programming that matches plant and turf needs, adjusting for current weather conditions.

Pro Tip: Schedule monthly system audits from May through September to stay ahead of breaks and inefficiencies.

Apply Slow-Release Fertilizer to Turf

May is an ideal time for a spring fertilizer application in Western Washington.

• Use a slow-release, balanced fertilizer to build strong root systems and lush, green turf.
• Avoid high-nitrogen quick-release products that may lead to excessive growth and increased mowing needs.
• Pair fertilization with core aeration for compacted turf areas.

Re-Mulch Beds & Refresh Edges

Fresh mulch is a simple way to give your landscape a clean, polished look—and it does much more.

• Apply 1–2 inches of mulch in plant beds to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
• Redefine bed edges for clear lines and clean separation between turf and planter areas.
• This is also a great time to tidy up any winter-damaged plant material that may have lingered into spring.

Control Early Season Weeds

With a wet spring and warming temperatures, May is prime time for weed growth.

• Continue pre-emergent herbicide programs in beds and turf areas.
• Spot-treat broadleaf weeds before they spread.
• Reinforce manual or mechanical weed control in sensitive areas to reduce chemical use.

Inspect and Prune Shrubs for Shape & Health

By May, many shrubs are actively growing and can be shaped without damaging new growth.

• Remove any lingering winter damage from shrubs and small trees.
• Prune spring-flowering shrubs after bloom cycles.
• Keep pathways, signage, and building visibility clear of overgrown foliage.

Monitor Plant Health and Summer Prep

With longer days ahead, May is when proactive care pays off later.

• Check for early signs of pests, mildew, or drought stress.
• Begin planning for seasonal enhancements, like summer color rotations or perennial updates.
• Evaluate plantings installed in the last 1–2 years—this is a key time to ensure they’re properly established before summer heat hits.

Walk the Site with Your Landscape Partner

May is the perfect month to align with your landscape contractor.

• Review current conditions and adjust service schedules as needed.
• Confirm enhancement timelines, including flower installations, irrigation upgrades, and pruning cycles.
• Prioritize high-visibility zones such as entrances, signage areas, and tenant focal points.

Leave It to the Pros

At Malone’s Landscape, our commercial maintenance teams are built to manage the demands of Western Washington’s climate. From seasonal transitions to ongoing site care, we help property managers and owners protect their investments, elevate curb appeal, and stay ahead of costly issues. With our proactive approach our dedicated account managers keep your landscape headaches at bay and keep you focused on the right things.

Why Use Native Plants?

Native plants are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions of their respective regions. This means that they require less water and maintenance, as they are already suited to the local environment. These plants are easy for you to keep looking the way they should all year long since they’re really meant to be here, even with all our rainy days.

Additionally, using native plants in landscaping can help to promote biodiversity and support the local ecosystem. Native plants provide food and shelter for native wildlife, such as birds, butterflies, and bees, which in turn helps to support the local food chain.

Using native plants can also help to reduce the spread of invasive species. Invasive plants are non-native species that can outcompete native plants and disrupt the local ecosystem. By using native plants, you can help to prevent the spread of invasive species and promote a healthy, diverse ecosystem in your own backyard.

Another benefit of using native plants in landscaping is that it can help to reduce the need for pesticides and fertilizers. Native plants have evolved to resist pests and diseases common in their native environment, so they are less likely to require chemical treatments.

Additionally, using native plants can help to improve soil quality and prevent erosion. Their deep root systems help to hold soil in place, preventing erosion and improving soil structure.

Overall, using native plants in landscaping can have numerous benefits, including promoting biodiversity, supporting the local ecosystem, reducing the spread of invasive species, and reducing the need for chemical treatments. With so many great native plants to choose from in Washington State, it’s easy to create a beautiful, low-maintenance yard that supports the local environment.

Native Plants in Washington State

Washington State has a diverse range of native plants that are well-suited to the local climate and soil conditions. Here are just a few examples of native plants that thrive in this area:

• Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium) – This evergreen shrub produces bright yellow flowers in the spring and blue berries in the summer. It is drought-tolerant and can grow in both sun and shade.
• Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum) – This fern is a classic of the Pacific Northwest, known for its sword-like fronds. It grows well in shade and is a great option for low-maintenance landscaping.
• Red Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum) – This deciduous shrub produces stunning pinkish-red flowers in early spring. It is drought-tolerant and can grow in both sun and shade.
• Salal (Gaultheria shallon) – This evergreen shrub produces small white or pink flowers in the spring, followed by edible blue-black berries in the summer. It is a great option for ground cover and is drought-tolerant.
• Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) – This iconic evergreen tree is the state tree of Washington. It is drought-tolerant and can grow up to 330 feet tall.

These are just a few examples of the many native plants that are well-suited to landscaping in Washington State. By using native plants in your landscaping, you can help to promote biodiversity, support the local ecosystem, and create a beautiful, low-maintenance yard.

Want Native Plants in your Landscaping?

If you’re ready to add some plants that are native to Washington State to your landscape design, reach out to us to get started.

Incorporate More Trees

Trees can be really helpful for areas that get a lot of rain. That’s because the trees will actually help absorb some of the rain before it falls down to the ground. Even the rain that does reach the ground will likely be absorbed by the roots of the tree. Trees do a lot to protect your landscaping from heavy rainfall and when properly taken care of, they can add a lot of character to your landscaping.
Shrubbery can also help in the same way with rainfall. Alternatively, plain grass lawns can be easily damaged by rain. The diversity of landscaping needs to be considered to keep things healthy.

Map Out Rainfall Patterns

While most rain isn’t damaging to your landscaping, rain that pools into one section of your yard can be detrimental. Next time it rains, take a little bit of time to see what the path of the water is in your yard.
If you have a slope or a path that pushes the water in a certain direction, make sure you have something to absorb or move the water from that location. Obstacles can help block rain from pooling in a certain area.

Clean The Gutters

Fall and winter can leave a lot of debris in your gutters. There may be leaves or branches from the colder seasons that are now making it harder for the rainfall to go where you want it to. Make sure you spend some time clearing your gutters out. That might include trimming nearby trees that come in contact with your roof. After all, these branches can easily make a blockage when it rains, or wind moves the branches.

Consider a Rain Garden

While this requires a bit more effort, there are those who like to incorporate rain gardens in their background. These are designed to temporarily hold and soak in rainwater runoff that flows from roofs, driveways, patios, or lawns.
They can include native shrubs, perennials, and flowers planted in an area that has a natural slope. It’s essentially like making your own pond but not adding in the water yet. The water will come from the natural rain. That means that a lot of the time, this area will be dry or empty. However, it will fill up with enough rain.

Your Rain Management Plan

If you’re ready to make your landscaping work for the Pacific Northwest rain, reach out to us to get started.